Roma must fight history to beat favorites Sevilla, says Mourinho

2023-05-31 12:32

Roma must fight history to beat favorites Sevilla, says Mourinho


Roma boss Jose Mourinho says all the pressure is on six-time champions Sevilla to win Wednesday's Europa League final and his side must battle history to finish in their favorite competition Beat the Spaniards.


However, Mourinho said history would not set foot on the pitch, with his players uniquely enthusiastic about winning Roma's first Europa League title.

" For them (Sevilla) it's almost normal to play in the Europa League final, for us it's an extraordinary event, " Mourinho told a news conference on Tuesday.

" For Sevilla fans, going to the European final is like going to Spain to watch the game; however, for us, it's historic. So we want to make history.

" History doesn't affect games, but history will make them favorites and we respect that.

" They have experience that we don't have but we deserve to be in this final, we've said it for a long time. "

Sevilla are aiming for a record seventh Europa League title at Roma under Mourinho, who himself has won five major European trophies, including last year's league tie with Italy. champion.

Neither Sevilla nor Mourinho have lost a European final, the Spaniard has won all six Europa League finals and the Portuguese became the first manager to win all European trophies last year.

" I have a lot of experience but the experience of the players is also important and Sevilla have a lot of players, " Mourinho said.

" But our team has played together for two years and my boys are eager to do something special on Wednesday. "

Roma must fight history to beat favorites Sevilla, says Mourinho

Sevilla 's José Luis Mendilibar , 62 , has the backing of a new manager after arriving in March after a difficult start to his side 's impressive late-season campaign. He praised his opponent.

" I told Mourinho I'm happy to play against him in the European final. He's got a lot and it's my first. I hope when my career is over I'll be like Mourinho Playing the final, " Mendilibar told Spanish TV channel Movistar Plus on Tuesday.

His comments came after a brief encounter with the 60- year-old Portuguese on the pitch at the Puskas Arena.

" I'm calm. Maybe you don't believe me, but I feel like it's just another game, ready to face our opponents, nothing in particular. I know there are a lot of expectations. The players want to play and we look forward to the challenge. "