Roma boss Jose Mourinho has revealed why he did not celebrate his side’s victory over Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final second leg.

The first leg in Rome ended 1-0 in favor of the Italians, while they held on to a 0-0 draw in Germany on Thursday night.

Roma will now face Sevilla in the final of Europe’s second-tier competition in Istanbul, Turkey, in June.

Mourinho decided against a celebratory run on the pitch as a mark of respect to Alonso, whom he managed at Real Madrid.

Mourinho guided the Italian side to victory in the Europa League last season and is now with them in the final.

On his decision not to celebrate, the Portuguese said, “No, it’s not an agility problem.

“To tell you the truth, it’s very hard for me to come up against my friends because while you may forget during the game, it’s tough afterwards.

“I don’t like celebrating in front of my guys and the person doing an extraordinary job out there, Xabi, is one of mine. That’s why I struggle.”