Mourinho's dramatic Smalling U-turn after telling comments about his feet

Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Chris Smalling for his starring display in Roma's win over Zorya Luhansk in the Europa Conference League.

The centre-half scored and helped the Italians secure a clean sheet as they made it two wins from two in the competition's group stages.

Smalling has had to bide his time to get into the starting XI after missing the first four matches of the season through injury.

But he was given a chance to stake his claim as he was selected ahead of Gianluca Mancini against the Ukrainians.

And he took full advantage of the opportunity as he scored Roma 's second goal of the night from a corner, as well as shutting out Zorya.

Chris Smalling in action for Roma against CSKA Sofia in the Europa Conference ( Image:

REUTERS)

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And Mourinho singled out the 31-year-old for his excellent performance.

He said at his post-match press conference: "Since it has been recovered, it has always been available.

"When he came off the bench he always did well. With Mancini's absence he could lead the defensive department.

"He played very well and scored goals which are important for a defender."

Time will tell if Smalling will cement his place in Roma's starting line-up, but it's a step in the right direction given what Mourinho previously said about him during their time at Manchester United.

It was widely thought that the English defender and Mourinho would not be a suitable fit after the former Chelsea boss criticised his ability with the ball at his feet.

After United beat Ajax to win the Europa League in 2017, the manager revealed he had instructed his defenders to avoid playing out from the back - especially Smalling.

Jose Mourinho praised Chris Smalling's performance against Zorya

He said: "We wanted to create instability. We would let them play out from the back while blocking De Ligt, their right centre-back, making them play through Davinson Sanches who had more trouble," Mourinho said, according to Tribuna Expresso.

"We'd make our full back close down well that central space and if the ball entered a wide area for their winger, the full-back would close him down and Herrera would be the one covering that space in midfield. '

"But what matters is that my players understand we cannot have doubts there - defensive creativity only in emergency situations.

"We prepare a game better when we're aware of our own weaknesses. Everyone said Ajax played beautiful football and that the beauty of the game matters. I told my players that, for me, beautiful is not giving our opponents what they want.

"I even joked with Smalling - 'With your feet, we're for sure not playing out from the back! That's where we won the game.

"During the initial stage of build-up we never played from our centre-backs to our midfielders, because they are great at recovering possession pressing high. 'In our midfield they didn't recover the ball once. If the ball isn't there, what are they going to press?"

Roma host Empoli next, on Sunday, when Smalling will no doubt be hoping to get further minutes under his belt.