Mourinho's Roma Faces Sevilla in Europa League Final: A Battle of European Titans

 

The long-standing paradox will potentially find its answer in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday night as Jose Mourinho, boasting an unbeaten record in five European finals, leads AS Roma into the Europa League final against Sevilla, a dominant force with six previous victories in Europe's second continental club competition.

It has been almost two decades since Mourinho celebrated his first European triumph as a manager, lifting the UEFA Cup with Porto. Now, facing one of his toughest challenges yet, the evergreen Mourinho aims to guide Roma to glory.

Sevilla has earned its reputation as the "King of the Europa League," having clinched the title on six occasions, triumphing in all six final appearances. Their impressive record includes four wins in just six years, solidifying their belief that the Europa League is truly "their competition."

Nevertheless, Mourinho remains unfazed by the historical narratives. "History doesn't win matches at all," asserted the 60-year-old in a conversation with UEFA. While many perceive Real Madrid and Sevilla as teams destined to win finals, Mourinho dismisses such superstitions and emphasizes that history holds no sway on the pitch.

After enduring demanding back-to-back managerial roles at Manchester United and Tottenham, which somewhat tarnished his reputation, Mourinho has found rejuvenation since his arrival in Rome. Despite his pragmatic style potentially being deemed outdated in the eyes of fans and journalists worldwide, overshadowed by the passing game of Pep Guardiola and the pressing tactics of Jurgen Klopp, Mourinho's approach remains effective.

Thirteen years after his remarkable triumph with 10-man Inter Milan, when they held Guardiola's formidable Barcelona to a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou, securing a place in the Champions League final, the Portuguese maestro proves that his methods are as relevant as ever.

In the Europa League semifinal second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, Roma achieved success with just 29% possession and a solitary shot on target, compared to the German team's 23. The Serie A side defended their 1-0 first-leg lead, showcasing Mourinho's enduring ability to strategize and prevail despite his two-decade-long managerial career.

"I always look forward," stated Mourinho. "This final is a new final for me. I don't dwell on Porto in 2003 or Roma last season. I solely focus on this final—it's my way of being."

While Mourinho's tenure in England left a lingering impression of a combative and confrontational manager, his time in Rome paints a different picture. Adored in the Italian capital, Mourinho is seen relishing his role. Though occasional clashes with officials, opposition managers, or reporters resurface, which adds to his allure as the "Special One," there is an overwhelming sense of his enjoyment in the Eternal City.

Fans frequently sing songs of praise, even during training sessions. The celebrations surrounding Roma's victory in last season's Conference League, their first European triumph in 60 years, saw tens of thousands of supporters lining the streets near the Colosseum. The impact Mourinho has made in Rome resonates deeply with the city's inhabitants, evident in the murals adorning various locations, including one depicting him as Rome's emperor, holding the Conference League trophy aloft.

However, there is concern that Mourinho might depart. The team has received minimal investment this season, and there are no guarantees of significant changes in the next, even if Roma emerges victorious on Wednesday and secures qualification for the Champions League. Mourinho previously likened reaching the Champions League with Roma after five seasons away to "Jesus Christ coming to Rome and taking a stroll around the Vatican."

Rome fervently hopes Mourinho can conjure one more miracle before potentially moving on to greater endeavors. If he leads Roma to victory on Wednesday, Mourinho will become the first manager to secure the Europa League title with three different teams.

"I really don't care about that record," dismissed Mourinho. "We work for the fans. At this stage of my career, I focus on the happiness we can bring to these people. Being in this final means a lot, especially considering the exceptional quality of teams in the Europa League. Barcelona and Arsenal were in this competition and were eliminated early. For Roma to reach this final holds immense significance. So let's strive to give the fans the ultimate happiness."