Jose joy as Roma triumph in Europe
JOSE MOURINHO seems to be bored of hearing about the Special One these days. But how better to describe a boss who reigns supreme in the inaugural ‘Cup of Jokes’?
That was how Roma’s players viewed the Conference League a year ago. By last night’s final, however, not one of their fans in Tirana were treating this as a tinpot, even third-rate competition. Not when European glory had eluded them since the 1961 Fairs Cup.
That barren spell is over after Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal downed Feyenoord. It means Mourinho is the first manager to win all three of UEFA’s European competitions. His record in major continental finals remains perfect, too. Played five, won five. For that, he has Chris Smalling to thank. The centre back was immense as Roma withstood a second-half barrage in Albania. Tammy Abraham had a quieter evening but a brilliant debut year ends with another European medal to add to the Champions League he won at Chelsea.
Roma had to make do for much of the night without injury-plagued Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was forced off after barely 15 minutes.
This wasn’t a night for easing back into things, mind. Feyenoord took charge during a frantic, fastpaced opening. All that was lacking? A chance at either end. Abraham and Cyriel Dessers were vying for the competition’s golden boot but neither had a sniff early on.
No one did, until Zaniolo peeled off Gernot Trauner, cushioned Gianluca Mancini’s pass and chipped over Justin Bijlow. It was brilliantly taken, no wonder Roma’s bench emptied on to the pitch.
Mourinho did his best to temper the celebrations, for once. And with good reason. Because by halftime, Feyenoord were pinning Roma back. Within four minutes of the restart, Feyenoord had struck the woodwork twice. First, Mancini turned a cross against his own post. Then Rui Patricio pushed Tyrell Malacia’s rasping shot onto the goal frame.
Feyenoord, however, escaped a seemingly obvious red card after Abraham, through on goal, was pulled back by Marcos Senesi. Fortunately for Roma, it mattered little come the final whistle.