Her words: “I did not criticise Mourinho’s gameplay, but the behavior that was sometimes a bit excessive. Even when you label someone a traitor.” “In my time, it wasn’t done like this.”

Vincent Candela has offered up an exclusive interview to Tele Radio Stereo during the broadcast of “Te la do io Tokyo”. The former AS Roma full-back discussed details pertaining to Roma-Inter match, player Lorenzo Pellegrini and much more. And these were his words:

“How do you perceive the numerous matches between Roma and Inter?” he mused. “It brings back memories of the iconic 5-4 score twenty-six years ago. Incredible match, but we could have done more at 4-4. This is a unique moment; it’s going to be a special Roma-Inter showdown. “I’m not talking about redemption, because I don’t like to use such terms, but a win could change several things from a mental standpoint, so the coach has to be prepared. Let’s see what team he’ll put on the field. It will be very difficult because Inter always shows up in key matches.” Now on your team is Angeliño. What do you think of him? “I’ve heard many times that he has a skilled foot, but that is not all – a sharp mind is also necessary.” He’s a player who I admire when he takes risks and moves forward, but he should do a bit more of it. Furthermore, besides pushing ahead, he ought to lend a hand in the back as well. This isn’t an easy moment for him, either, but the coach lets him play and seeks redemption. His teammates must also support him, because if there’s only the center-forward ahead, it’s tough even for the full-back. “We need a bit more solutions upfront, otherwise, with only the main striker scoring and the rest not, it becomes challenging even for a full-back with skilled footwork making the crosses. It’s a fundamental problem.” How could a three-year contract be handed to a coach, only to be dismissed after just four matches? “The reason lies within the fragile state of the football club, I mentioned this when it happened. Everybody has the right to make their choices, yet there are appropriate times and ways to make them. In dealing with De Rossi, they made mistakes in timing, approach, and also in whom they targeted. Juric may indeed possess more experience, however, in my view, the prospects of Daniele becoming a superior coach are extremely promising. Therefore, any underlying frailties and fears, eventually transmitted to the players, stem from the helm, in my opinion. Beyond the fact that he is my friend or that he loves Rome, this was a significant journey for him and the team. Instead, all we witnessed was the frailty of failing to understand football. “When was the last time you saw Roma play well?” It’s been quite a while. Indeed, even under Mourinho’s tactical expertise, we may have clinched the Conference, but that was the bare minimum expected with that team. In my opinion, it was only fair that we won. We had a bit of trouble playing well under Mourinho, hence it’s been a long time, especially since I wasn’t a fan of Fonseca. We need to reach back to Di Francesco’s quarterfinal showdown with Barcelona.” They’ve criticized Mourinho for the way he plays, yet we reached two consecutive European finals under him. “I didn’t criticize him because the game was bad, but for his behavior after the Milan-Roma 2-2 game, where his team celebrated under the curve for 10 minutes. Only for this.” “It was challenging, yet it went well. A 2-2 draw in Milan, but this is not the right behaviour to set an example for our players. That’s what I had said at the time. If the game is poorly played, I couldn’t care less. What matters is winning; I’m very pragmatic.” So, I didn’t criticize Mourinho’s gameplay, but rather his behavior, which was sometimes a bit excessive. Even when you label someone a traitor. You haven’t provided any text to translate. Please provide a text to continue. “In my time, we didn’t do it this way,” he declared. However, Roma lost 2-0 to Milan and then tied the game; it was fair that they were celebrating, given their historical results there. After the game, you had said: “What is Roma celebrating after playing in such a manner?” Therefore, you discussed the game as well. “Yes, indeed, we move under the curve to acknowledge our fans, but then one looks inside and says, “now we return”. I am talking about the players and the staff, not the fans, who have every right to celebrate a 2-2 draw, rightly so. But the coach and players must go there, raise their hands, salute the fans, give thanks and walk away. In my opinion, for those who were on the field, that wasn’t the right behavior. I saw it like that then, and I still believe so now.

What is your take on the jeering at Pellegrini? How does one recover from such a moment? “I feel bad because it’s the most difficult thing when your own fans boo you even before the match. When you lose at the Olympic, it’s also rightful, it’s part of our passion, it’s fair for the crowd to jeer in that case. But prior, or just after a misplaced pass, it saddens me, as it is difficult even for a great champion when your own fans whistle at you. It’s saddening because Pellegrini is always there, giving it his all. In my opinion, at times he has been played out of his position and placed in situations where he wasn’t responsible. “Pellegrini is a significant player, but he cannot be the one who resolves all matches. The captain’s responsibility at the end of the game is understandable, but prior to the game, the jeers the instant his name is announced, sadden me.” “Do you remember your goal in Bari? “How could I forget, I scored few goals, but they were beautiful. In Bari, there were 25,000 Roma fans”.

And that exchange for Totti’s goal in the triumph over Madrid? “Yes, they say it was Totti who scored (laughs), it was Roma’s first victory there.” “However, I had carried the ball for 50 meters, yet it was the captain who scored. And rightly so, he is my captain after all. But let it be noted that I had done quite a bit before that.”