Sevilla have won the Europa League for a record seventh time after beating Roma in a tense penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw as Gonzalo Montiel hit the match-winning penalty.
Paulo Dybala opened the scoring in the 35th minute but Sevilla were level ten minutes after the break after Gianluca Mancini inadvertently put the ball into his own net, deflecting a cross in past his goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
This was a final played entirely on Jose Mourinho’s terms. It was dictated by his tactics and his narrative. It was a game of brutal pragmatism, antagonism and caution. A final based on suffering rather than expression, which lasted a gruelling 147 minutes including all the injury and extra time… not that the victors will care.
Despite all the question marks over his approach to management, few can doubt the Portuguese manager’s ability to deliver silverware and extended cup runs. His first European title was two decades ago and his performance in cup competitions remains comparable to the current elite coaches.
A year ago, Mourinho masterminded Roma’s first European trophy in over 60 years as they won last season’s Conference League in his first campaign in Rome. He fell agonisingly short of going one better this year, missing out on qualification for next season’s Champions League in the process.
Sevilla are the record competition winners, having won the trophy six times – all since 2006. Every time they had reached the quarter-finals, they had gone on to win the trophy. They have more belief and motivation in this competition than any other club, so much so that it has become their identity.
The build-up to the game was focused on the fitness of Dybala, Roma’s star player.
“Tomorrow for 20-30 minutes he will make it,” Mourinho lamented ahead of the game. The Argentine forward played 68 minutes and his strike gave Roma their lead.
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