Two first-half goals launched Roma into the UEFA Europa League round of 16, overcoming a one-goal first leg deficit to RB Salzburg in the playoff.
With the win, the Giallorossi extended their super streak at home in European knockout ties, now without defeat in 14 straight games at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma wasted no time in pressing their Austrian opponents, as they looked to turn around the first-leg deficit quickly.
A flurry of corners produced no clear-cut chances for Mourinho’s men however, as the Salzburg defence remained solid as a rock in the opening half-four.
The Giallorossi were finally rewarded for their first-half pressure when Leonardo Spinazzola picked out Andrea Belotti in front of goal, who headed home to level the aggregate scoreline.
Spinazzola continued to wreak havoc on the Salzburg defence, and he capped off his super first-half performance by dropping a cross onto the boot of Paulo Dybala to stab home, doubling Roma’s lead just before the break, and putting the Serie A club ahead in the tie for the first time.
With their backs against the wall, Salzburg pushed to reclaim parity in the tie, but Roma’s rearguard were a brick wall in the face of the pressure.
The home side came close to adding a third around the hour mark but Bryan Cristante’s long-range effort looked to be going in but for a superb save from Philipp Köhn.
From the resulting corner, Mourinho’s men thought they were about to be awarded a penalty, but following a VAR review, the referee decided there was no infringement.
The late addition of Benjamin Šeško caused a few problems for the Roma defenders, but it was too-little, too-late for the Austrians, and their Europa League journey came to a screeching halt in Rome.
The disappointing result may come as no surprise for the Salzburg faithful however, as they have seen their side fail to win in the last six trips to Italy for European knockout matches.
