Mourinho implicitly downplays Sevilla's record

According to Roma coach Jose Mourinho, Sevilla is being rated higher before the Europa League final because it is the most successful club in this arena.

"History doesn't put on its boots tomorrow," Mourinho said at a pre-match press conference on May 30. "But Roma's opponents think differently. Sevilla think they are favored because history says so and we respect that."

Mourinho has won all five European Cup finals he has played in, before Roma will compete for the Europa League title against Sevilla at Puskas Stadium, Budapest, Hungary today. Mourinho's opponents are the most successful team with a record of winning all six times they have reached the final of this competition. Specifically, Sevilla defeated Inter Milan in 2020, Liverpool in 2016, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in 2015, Benfica in 2014, Espanyol in 2007 and Middlesbrough in 2006 in the final matches of the Europa League.

Mourinho (in white shirt) inspects Puskas Stadium, Budapest, Hungary on May 30. Photo: AFP — Mourinho (in white shirt) inspects Puskas Stadium, Budapest, Hungary on May 30. Photo: *AFP*

Mourinho considers himself "equal" to his colleague Luis Mendilibar, although he believes he has more chances to play in the European Cup. However, the Portuguese coach believes that the potential between the two teams is different, because Sevilla has a larger transfer budget than Roma, possesses a team of 25 top, professional players, and has many options for the starting lineup.

"For Sevilla, playing in a Europa League final is almost normal. For Roma, it's an extraordinary event," Mourinho said. "For Sevilla fans, playing in a European final is like playing in Spain. For us, it's something historic."

Last week, Mourinho said he always had special feelings for his previous clubs, except Tottenham. At yesterday's press conference, the 60-year-old coach continued to mock the London club. "Roma gave me the chance to play in the final, Tottenham didn't," he said.

The "Special One" was half-truthful about striker Paulo Dybala only having enough stamina to play for 20-30 minutes. He refused to comment on the future because he wanted to focus on the goal of winning the European Cup for the second consecutive time, after winning the Europa Conference League in the 2021-2022 season.

Sitting next to Mourinho at the press conference, when asked about his coach's future, captain Lorenzo Pellegrini replied: "As Mourinho said, we talk to each other honestly and it's better that only we know these things. Then, when appropriate, the coach himself will talk about his future."

The Italian midfielder was proud to captain Roma in two consecutive European Cup games and dismissed comments from Leverkusen players who criticised Roma's style of play after their Europa League semi-final exit. "We just laughed at those comments," Pellegrini said. "We always analyse our opponents, find the best way to limit their strengths. And Roma are in the final, they are at home."

When asked about the changes since the 0-2 defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League in August 2020, Pellegrini analyzed: "The club changed in vision. What happened after that was what we wanted, creating a caring group. I connected with the coach's request, running and sacrificing does not mean closing ourselves off, but wanting to contribute to Roma. Then Mourinho trained us."

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