The wait for the highly anticipated fixture is very close to reaching a close as Roma are set to face Spanish outfits Sevilla this evening within the Europa League finals in Budapest.
As it stands within the domestic league, the Giallorossi currently sit in sixth place with a total of 60 points, seven points adrift from fourth-placed Milan with only one game remaining to play.
With Roma mathematically out of reach from a top-four spot as a result of only attaining three points out of 15 within their last five fixtures within the Serie A, the capital club have an opportunity to make history and possibly obtain their second consecutive European piece of silverware.
However, overcoming Sevilla will not be straightforward and trouble-free as Jose Mendilibar’s side are quite experienced within this cup competition, having won a total of six Europa League titles within their club’s history.
With plenty on the line for Roma heading into this immense cup final, as well as the Giallorossi’s trip to Budapest possibly being Mourinho’s final match within the dug-out for the capital club, the Get Italian Football News team had Roma journalist from the Italian news-outlet Il Tempo Filippo Biafora preview the cup match and exclusively provide his insight in regards to the Giallorossi:
Roma are set to face Sevilla in Budapest amd possibly win their second consecutive European title and qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2018-19. How important is this match for the capital club?
“This final is a historic match for Roma as it has never happened in almost 100 years for the team to compete for two European trophies in two consecutive seasons. Mourinho’s squad would go right into yellow and red history and would remain immortal if they win. And it also counts a lot for the season given that qualification for the Champions League has not arrived in the league”.
Roma have failed to win a single match in their last five within the Serie A heading into this cup match. Does this cause any concern and if so, what will be the key to overcome this underwhelming run of form in order to beat Sevilla?Â
“Roma have given up on the championship for weeks now in order to focus on the cup final. I wouldn’t consider the last Serie A games and be too concerned as more kids and reserves have played there than anything else. Everyone is concentrated on this match and solving their physical problems in order to be at their very best”.
It seems like the Europa League finals will most probably be Mourinho’s last match as the coach of Roma. Have Roma identified a possible replacement in the case that he does leave the capital?
“I’m not so sure that it’s definitely going to be his last game with Roma. At the end of the season, Mourinho and the Friedkins will talk and figure out what to do with the future. There are the conditions to continue together, and the coach has made precise requests to the club. Everything is still to be understood, also because there is another year left on his contract”.
How would you rate Mourinho’s past two seasons with Roma?
“The rating depends on this cup final. If he wins it’s a 9.5 out of 10, if he loses it’s still an 8 for me”.
Julian Faustini Ι GIFN
