Bizarre Moment As Mourinho Surprisingly Takes Off AS Roma Star Without Replacing Him

• AS Roma rounded up their pre-season preparations with a game against FK Partizani
• Jose Mourinho's men won 2-1 with goals from Andrea Belotti and Stephan El Shaarawy
• The Special One had a bizarre moment in the second half with new star Houssem Aouar

Jose Mourinho's football may have stopped looking entertaining recently, but his touchline antics and press conference dramas remain box office - including his most recent moment.

AS Roma rounded up their pre-season ahead of the 2023/24 Serie A term with a 2-1 win over FK Partizani, returning to Tirana in Albania, the city where they won the UEFA Europa Conference League two years ago.

Resurgent striker, Andrea Belotti, got on the score sheet as did Stephan El Shaarawy - both in the first half - before Tedi Cara pulled one back for the hosts deep into the second half.

Barcelona Could Terminate Sergino Dest’s Contract if No Offer Arrives

Football

Mourinho's bizarre substitution for Roma

As spotted by Mourinho Xtra on Twitter, Mourinho removed new signing, Houssem Aouar, in the middle of the match with over 10 minutes left without replacing him, leaving the player confused.

However, he had no choice but to obey his manager's bizarre order.

Contrary to SportBible's report that the Portuguese manager had used up his substitutions, Roma made eight while their opponent made 14, including returning to the field a player who had been substituted.

Corriere dello Sport claims the decision was made to protect Aouar, who was on the receiving end of bad tackles from the Partizani players, and also to level the game as the Albanians were playing with 10 men after a substitution error.

Partizani cut the deficit about seven minutes after the Algerian was removed.

Roma will open their Serie A campaign against Salernitana without their manager. Mourinho was suspended by FIGC for 10 days and fined €50,000 after labelling referee Daniel Chiffi as the worst he's ever seen, per Sports Brief.

6 Footballers Who 'Betrayed' Their Club As Barcelona Accuse Dembele of Backstabbing

Football

Mourinho falls out with Matic

Sports Brief also reported on Mourinho's reported fallout with Nemanja Matic, with the player set to leave the club and join Ligue 1 side, Rennes, in France.

The Special One has signed the player three times - including at Chelsea and Manchester United - but things have broken down over a reported betrayal.