Jose Mourinho saluted Paulo Dybala after his late equaliser paved the way in which for Roma’s dramatic extra-time victory over Feyenoord within the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Giallorossi arrange a semi-final showdown with Bayer Leverkusen after coming from behind to defeat Feyenoord 4-2 on combination at Stadio Olimpico.
Trailing 1-0 from the primary leg, Roma have been on the point of elimination after Igor Paixao’s header cancelled out Leonardo Spinazzola’s earlier strike.
But Dybala, who was launched as an alternative after lacking Sunday’s victory over Udinese by harm, levelled the tie with a pointy flip and end forcing further time, wherein additional strikes from Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini sealed the deal.
It was the previous Juventus ahead’s sixteenth aim of the season and fourth within the Europa League – a tally solely bettered by Marcus Rashford, Victor Boniface (each six) and Santiago Gimenez (5) – and his exploits drew reward from his head coach.
“My feeling is that he was seeking the joy, he had lost more than confidence,” Mourinho instructed Sky Sport Italia.
“He found it right here. He has found a coach who understands him, a crowd that loves him and an area on the sphere wherein to be a frontrunner along with his high quality and persona.
“Dybala is a pleasant boy. He has the standard to play for the most important golf equipment on the earth, however he has found joy right here.
“I gave him absolute freedom to come on tonight, and he could come off even two minutes later if he didn’t feel up to it. But he played 30 minutes of extra time and 25 minutes regular, and he finished on a high.”
BIG GAME PLAYER.#UEL pic.twitter.com/RIT8ZD5y6h
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 20, 2023
Meanwhile, Dybala additionally paid tribute to Mourinho who, having guided Roma to the Europa Conference League title final season, is closing in on a sixth triumph in European competitors.
“I think everyone knows Mourinho, his history, what he’s done in Europe and at every club he worked at, I think he won something,” the ahead added.
“His mentality fuels you. He knew the sport may find yourself like this and pushed us to present one thing extra. He modified the tactical system, we began taking part in higher and dominated further time for a deserved victory.
“I believe all of us need to win, which is a very powerful factor. We have a coach with an unimaginable mentality. He instructed us the sport could be like that, and he was completely proper.
“This squad won the Europa Conference League last season, so they know what it takes to win. Now, we hope to go all the way in the Europa League too.”
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