It was a heated affair in the Ser ie A this weekend as Roma won 3-0 against relegation battlers Sampdoria and kept their foot on the pedal in the race for the top four. The Giallorossi are third as they are now level on points with fourth-placed Inter Milan, but ahead by goal difference.
It was not without its drama as some of the Roma fans hurled racist abuse toward the Sampdoria coach Dejan Stankovic, who played under Jose at Inter Milan and also helped them to win the historic treble in 2009-10. The Serbian also played for Lazio against Roma last year and was at the end of such racist chants before.
The 60-year-old Roma manager who is one of the greatest managers of all time showed his class yet again as he silenced the ultras abusing Stankovic. The incident happened just after halftime, the score was still 0-0 and the Sampdoria coach wasn’t happy about the red card handed to Jeison Murrillo that's when the Roma ultras started abusing Stankovic and Mourinho stepped out and signalled them to stop. The Roma fans obliged the special one and reverted back to booing.
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Going back to the game, Gergino Winjaldum starred as he scored a goal and won a penalty for the Romans at the Stadio Olimpico. Paulo Dybala dispatched the penalty and Sheraawy also scored in the 94th minute to close out the game. It will be a successful season for Roma if they finish top four and be back into the Champions League.
Sampdoria played with 10 men for most of the second half as Jason Murrillo got a second yellow for a clumsy challenge on Tammy Abraham. Roma needed a win after their losses against Lazio and Sassuolo and Jose’s men will continue their quest for the top four.
After the game, Jose Mourinho talked about the incident and said, "I did it for a great man and a great friend. He has kids and a family. Our fans are great but my friends aren't being touched.”
Stankovic, when asked about Mourinho’s intervention said per Football Italia: “I thank Jose because I didn’t even notice, but as for the chants, I am proud of who I am. I am proud to be a gypsy .”