Roma coach Jose Mourinho says his players should embrace the hostility of the Real Sociedad fans on Thursday night.

La Real coach Imanol Alguacil has warned the visitors of a red-hot atmosphere waiting for them as Roma defend a 2-0 lead in their Europa League round of 16 tie.

“These are respectful comments. He is firing up his players and the atmosphere, that is his job, he is a good coach on a technical level and is proving he is a good coach in the way he communicates with his people," said Mourinho.

“This is the advantage of a team that plays the second leg at home, because it knows exactly what it needs and can set out the strategy. We have our strategy and obviously are confident.

“The Stadio Olimpico always gives us a perfect storm, but ultimately the teams play on the field. The only time I ever saw a stadium score a goal was in the Champions League semi-final in 2005, when the ball didn't go in for Liverpool and it then went in down to the sheer force of the noise.

“Home advantage is real, but the fact is the crowd doesn't play. In fact, a great atmosphere fires us up too. The COVID era was the real disaster, because it was hard to be fired up in an empty stadium.

“We are the Conference League holders, we are not afraid of their stadium. We are happy to meet a tempest in their stadium and I think we will play better with the 'tempest' around us."