UEL: The bus Mou parked in front of Rui Patricio tonight takes Roma straight to Europa League final
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 19.05.23. | 00:20
AS Roma have found the way to their second European final in a row with a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen, winning 1-0 on aggregate
This man is truly The Special One! Jose Mourinho has made it to his fifth European final following AS Roma's triumph over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Europa League semi-final.
The Italian and the German team shared spoils on Thursday night, but a goalless draw (0-0) was enough for Mou's side to reach the Budapest shodown thanks to a first-leg 1-0 victory. They advance to the finals on aggregate, a year after the Rome outfit won the maiden edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League led by the same mesmerising gaffer.
2 seasons in Rome, 2 European finals for Jose Mourinho
— J (@MourinhoPics) May 18, 2023
pic.twitter.com/8rsEBuIK8t
Just like many times before, Mourinho managed to simultaneously exploit all of the rival's flaws while hiding his own.
Against his ex-player Xabi Alonso, the Portuguese tactician opted for a super-defensive squad, and it paid off big time.
The bus they parked in front of Rui Patricio prevented Leverkusen from netting, albeit the home side ended the match with almost 20 shots compared to a single one for the Italians.
Back to back European finals for Roma.
— IM🇵🇹 (@Iconic_Mourinho) May 18, 2023
Roma had reached only 1 European final in their history. Then José Mourinho took over, and they reached 2 European finals in his first 2 seasons.
It will be the 6th European final for Mourinho🐐 pic.twitter.com/Qr5YPAst7i
In truth, only three of those 20 were exquisite chances, with Diaby hitting the crossbar following a solo counter 12 minutes into the game. A little later, Demirbay tried his luck from mid-range, but Rui Patricio denied it with the utmost effort.
And then, in the next almost 70 minutes, we saw Leverkusen's domination in terms of possesion, and almost nothing else. Mou tactically killed the game, forcing the opponents to lose patience and a clue on how to find the box, let alone the back of the net.
Mourinho’s magic knows no bounds… pic.twitter.com/PXZaQIYiyW
— COPA90 (@Copa90) May 18, 2023
Acuna's shot, though, with some ten minutes left on the clock, could have served as a late shock, but it went inches wide off the right post. And as the time was ticking away, the smile on Mourinho's face was blatant proof we were heading to a much-expected outcome.
The man is in his sixth European final, and what about the chances of winning? He won the previous five (Porto and Inter in the Champions League, Man Utd in the Europa League, Porto in the UEFA Cup, and Roma in the Conference League)... Well, you do the maths.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
Semifinal, first leg
Juventus - Sevilla 1-1 (0-1)
/Gatti 90+7 - En Nesyri 26/
AS Roma - Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 (0-0)
/Bove 63/
Semifinal, second leg
Juventus - Sevilla IN PROGRESS
Bayer Leverkusen - AS Roma 0-0 (Roma win 1-0 on agg)
