Sevilla coach: 'Roma doesn't need many chances to win'

Hungary Before the Europa League final, Sevilla coach Luis Mendilibar highly appreciated Roma's ability to defend counter-attack and take advantage of scoring opportunities.

"Roma are strong in both defense and counterattack, and are a difficult opponent. They defend very solidly, do not need many opportunities to score and win," Mendilibar said on May 30 at a press conference before the match.

Mendilibar at a press conference before the Europa League final at Puskas Stadium, Budapest on May 30. Photo: Sevilla FC — Mendilibar at a press conference before the Europa League final at Puskas Stadium, Budapest on May 30. Photo: *Sevilla FC*

Roma have repeatedly demonstrated Mourinho's signature pragmatic style of play on the road to the final. In the first leg of the round of 16 at the Olimpico, Roma had just 40% possession but won 2-0 against Sociedad thanks to Stephan El Shaarawy and Marash Kumbulla. In the return leg in Spain, Roma had just 23% possession with three shots, all of which were off target, compared to 19 and three for their opponents, but drew 0-0 to advance.

A similar scenario played out in the semi-finals. In the first leg at home, Roma had 38% possession and won 1-0 thanks to a rebound from 20-year-old midfielder Edoardo Bove. In the second leg away to Germany, Mourinho's team only had 28% possession and missed the post once, compared to 23 shots from their opponents, but still drew 0-0 to reach the title match. After the match, many members of Leverkusen were scornful of Roma's style of play.

"Roma don't play like Sevilla, they don't worry about getting into the opponent's penalty area. They feel comfortable defending in their own half. Roma rarely worry about the minutes passing," Mendilibar added.

Meanwhile, despite finishing 11th in La Liga, Sevilla showed their experience in the continental arena. Finishing third in the Champions League group stage, the Spanish club dropped into the Europa League and successively defeated PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce, Man Utd and Juventus to reach the final for the seventh time. In the previous six times, they won all, defeating Inter Milan in 2020, Liverpool in 2016, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in 2015, Benfica in 2014, Espanyol in 2007 and Middlesbrough in 2006 to retain their championship record.

In the press conference that took place a few minutes earlier, Mourinho implicitly downplayed Sevilla's record with the statement "history does not put on shoes to play". When asked about this sharing of his colleague, Mendilibar replied: "This will be a normal match, and both deserve to be in the final. History does not play, but similarly, good words for the opponent. Sevilla has defeated strong clubs and will maintain the same approach tomorrow".

Similarly, Ivan Rakitic believes that past achievements are not important and Sevilla deserve to be in the Europa League final. The Croatian midfielder wants his teammates to stay calm under pressure and reduce mistakes because "small details are very important in the final".

Meanwhile, Jesus Navas called the match in Budapest, Hungary a "unique, special experience" and wants to return to Sevilla with a trophy. The former Man City player called on his teammates to stay calm, be mentally ready, play with high intensity and wait for the right moment to attack because Roma defended firmly.

Hong Duy

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