Mourinho: We don’t want to play in Conference League again

Roma Coach José Mourinho said his side must avoid defeat at all cost when they play against Ludogorets in Thursday’s Europa League at the Stadio Olimpico.
A defeat will see Roma drop to the Conference League they won last season, but according to Mourinho, Roma does not want to win the competition a second time. Roma and the Bulgarian side have seven points.
“If we don’t win, we go to Conference League, but we don’t want,” Mourinho said
“We want the Europa League play-offs, and we only have one result to get there. It will be difficult because we have pressure and because of the opponent.
“I think the stadium is sold out, so the atmosphere will be worth a big match, like against Bodo or Leicester. If we create this atmosphere, we can make it.
“I expect a team playing for two results, differently from us. They are dangerous with counter-attacks, but we know we must run risks. The players’ ambition is not to win the Conference League again, we want to play in the Europa League play-offs where we’ll find teams that could even win the Champions League. That’s where we want to get.”
Mourinho was glad UEFA lifted a three-match ban on Nicolò Zaniolo:
“This is what I call justice, a three-match ban was too much, I think he deserved to be suspended for just one match at most,” Mourinho said at a press conference.
“It’s important that he can play because he can help us win. I can’t say if he is fit, let’s see how he feels today, but I’d like to have him available.”