ROME, ITALY - NOVEMBER 05: Romelu Lukaku with Jose Mourinho of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on November 05, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/

Jose Mourinho was overjoyed after two stoppage-time strikes from Sardar Azmoun and Romelu Lukaku sealed a dramatic 2-1 win over Lecce.

Pontus Almqvist broke the deadlock for Roberto D'Aversa's side after firing home a loose ball in the 72nd minute, before Azmoun's header and Lukaku's clinical close-range finish sparked wild scenes of celebration inside the Stadio Olimpico.

It was a particularly poignant moment for Lukaku, as the Belgian saw his fifth-minute penalty saved by Lecce shot-stopper Wladimiro Falcone.

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"I didn't celebrate too long. I wanted to talk to the players because we were unbalanced," Mourinho told DAZN after the match.

"In the last 15 minutes we could have lost 2-3, but we won. There were five of us in attack; [Andrea] Belotti was playing as a full-back near the end.

"The players are extraordinary and we have an extraordinary crowd. Both fans and players deserved it. They had heart and responded well, they didn't betray me and what I asked of them yesterday.

"Lecce is a well-organised team and with the three super-fast forwards, they did a good job. I'm sorry both for them and for Falcone who is a great Roma fan, but he always saves everything against us.

"It's all about heart and mentality, it's about the connection with the fans. I have coached many teams, but none of them are so connected with their fans. We were very unbalanced; they could have immediately scored to make it 2-0; it was a crazy match."

The result lifts Roma up to seventh in the table, and was a sixth victory in their last seven games across all competitions following a slow start to the campaign.

The Giallorossi will now turn their attention back to the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, as they prepare for a trip to the Czech capital for a game against Slavia Prague.

Meanwhile, this defeat for Lecce leaves them without a win in their last eight games across all competitions, and will hope for an improvement when they host AC Milan next Saturday.

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