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Roma coach Mourinho fumes: These players must get closer to my mentality; Maitland-Niles debut?

Roma coach Jose Mourinho says his players aren't giving their all after defeat to Juventus.

Roma blew a 3-1 lead to lose 4-3 on Sunday.

Mourinho fumed, “I never thought my personality was enough. I thought it could be a bit easier. For 70 minutes we played a game that is also a consequence of the talent we have, but in the main choices of the squad and the players who play there is often a lack of personality, even in managing emotions and in the game.

“I want to work here every day of these three years, not a day less. I need help from the club that really matches our potential. Now we're signing two players on loan to help the team, one was Maitland-Niles and another midfielder who I think will arrive next week. A player with more physicality and personality, suitable to have some responsibility.

“This thing of playing in the comfort zone, of playing to be 6-7 is too easy for some personalities. We need to get out of this mentality. After Milan I told the guys that it's them who has to move closer to me, it's not me who has to become similar to their psychological profile. I don't want to."

Mourinho started the game with Arsenal loan signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

“I also have limitations on the bench too, not many options. Maitland-Niles just arrived, then we will certainly bring in another player next week. I am here to help the team."

On teenager Felix Afena-Gyan, he also stated: “Until a few months ago he was playing on the Primavera pitch. He's a humble boy, a boy who wants to learn, from a tactical point of view he needs simple and objective things to do that.

“He did what he had to do, he created problems for Cuadrado and also did a good job defensively. Unfortunately he doesn't have enough fuel for 90 minutes and when he came off we missed things that were too simple. He has talent, he just needs concentration."

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Carlos Volcano
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