Jose Mourinho seems to be bored of hearing about the Special One these days. But how better to describe a manager who reigns supreme in the inaugural ‘Cup of Jokes’?
That was how Roma’s players viewed the Europa Conference League a year ago. By Wednesday night, however, not one of their supporters in Tirana were treating this as a tin-pot, even third-rate competition. Not when European glory had eluded them since the 1961 Fairs Cup.
That barren spell is over after Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal downed Feyenoord. It means Mourinho is the first manager to win all three of UEFA’s European competitions. His record in major continental finals remains perfect, too.
Played five, won five. For that, he has Chris Smalling to thank. The centre back was immense as Roma withstood a second-half barrage in Albania.
Tammy Abraham had a quieter evening but a brilliant debut season ends with another European medal to add to the Champions League title he won last year at Chelsea.
Roma had to make do for much of the night without Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
A hamstring injury had kept the midfielder out since April. Here he was forced off after barely 15 minutes.
This wasn’t a night for easing back into things, mind. Roma needed a while to settle as Feyenoord took charge during a frantic, fast-paced opening. All that was lacking? A chance at either end.
Abraham and Cyriel Dessers were vying for the competition’s golden boot but neither had a sniff early on. No one did, really, until Zaniolo peeled off Gernot Trauner, cushioned down Gianluca Mancini’s diagonal pass and chipped the ball over Justin Bijlow.
It was brilliantly taken – no wonder the Roma bench emptied on to the pitch.Mourinho did his best to temper the celebrations, for once. And with good reason.
Because by half-time, Feyenoord were pinning Roma back. The closest they came? Orkun Kokcu’s swerving shot from distance that was spilled by Rui Patricio.
Within four minutes of the restart, however, Feyenoord had struck the woodwork twice. First Mancini turned a low cross against his own post. Then Rui Patricio pushed Tyrell Malacia’s rasping shot on to frame of the goal Roma were teetering.
And yet, within moments, Abraham was through on goal. He appeared to be pulled back by Marcos Senesi – it looked an obvious red to all except the referee and VAR.
Fortunately for Roma, it mattered little come the final whistle in Tirana.
THE FOOTBALL HUB 