The goal from poster boy Nicolo Zaniolo charged Roma to their first-ever European silverware as Feyenoord rued waste chances against Jose Mourinho‘s men.
The scoreline may not depict, but it was an affair of intriguing ninety minutes. Jose Mourinho became the first manager to win all European titles as he held up his five fingers at the end of the game to answer his critics and portray the number of European silverware he has won during his illustrious career. Though, it was not a seamless run to the title on Wednesday evening.
Roma made a steady start to the game. Nicolò Zaniolo took the most crucial opportunity that fell on his path. With Gianluca Mancini thumping the ball forward, Zaniolo took it on his chest. And although Zaniolo’s first touch was not good enough, he managed to poke it home. With the deadlock broken, Roma took the lead.
In the second half, Feyenoord came out with all guns blazing. They hit the bar a couple of times, with Rui Patrício leaving his counterparts stunned with some adorable saves. The trio of Mancini, Chris Smalling, and Roger Ibanez stuck to their task as a mammoth defensive effort during the latter stage of the game led the Giallorossi to their first European glory. Here are the player ratings from the inaugural edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League final.
Roma: Patricio (8), Mancini (8.5), Smalling (9), Ibanez (8.5), Karsdorp (6.5), Cristante (7), Mkhitaryan (N/A), Pellegrini (6.5), Zalewski (6), Zaniolo (8.5), Abraham (6)
Substitutes: Oliveira (6), Veretout (6.5), Spinazzola (6), Viña (N/A), Shomurodov (N/A)
Feyenoord: Bijlow (6), Geertruida (6.5), Trauner (5), Senesi (6.5), Malacia (7), Aursnes (6), Kokcu (5.5), Til (6), Nelson (5), Dessers (5.5), Sinisterra (6)
Substitutes: Toornstra (6), Linssen (5.5), Pedersen (6), Wålemark (N/A), Jahanbakhsh (N/A)
