'Everything changes' - Roma boss Jose Mourinho points to Paulo Dybala injury as he laments 'painful' derby defeat to Lazio

Mattia Zaccagni's goal from the penalty spot in the 51st minute made the difference as Lazio knocked out Roma out of the cup on Wednesday. While lamenting the Derby della Capitale defeat against their fierce rivals, Mourinho claimed that Dybala leaving the pitch at half-time with an injury changed the complexion of the match.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the veteran manager said: "In the first half we were the team with the most personality and looked more organized on the pitch. Everything changes for us when Dybala leaves the pitch, it also happened with Fiorentina when we looked like we could win easily. Without him, there is less quality and fewer connections.

"Dybala? He suffered the usual muscle injury. He played a very physical match two days ago and was on the pitch for 80 minutes. This was a demanding game and he wanted to play. We have examples of people who are within the limits but exceed them like Mancini who takes painkillers to play and doesn’t train until the next match."

He added: "When Paulo goes down, everything becomes more difficult. Pellegrini entered after suffering a blow to the spinal area on Sunday. I’m disappointed in some players tonight. Lukaku could have scored a great goal, we get to the external areas but we don’t make a cross."

Despite enjoying a good run of form - having scored five goals and providing six assists in 13 Serie A matches - the World Cup-winning Argentine star has been plagued with multiple injuries throughout the season. He has missed as many as nine matches thus far due groin, ligament, and hamstring injuries.

I Giallorossi will be next seen in action against AC Milan in a Serie A clash on Sunday but Mourinho is likely to miss the match after he picked up a red card in the team's last Serie A clash against Atalanta.