Hunting for glory. Start from Budapest the triptych of finals that will see protagonists Roma, Fiorentina e Inter, in search of a European en-plein that has been missing for 33 years. The last time, in fact, dates back to the 1989/90 season and ended with a triple triumph: Milan won the Champions Cup, Juventus the UEFA Cup (in an Italian derby with Fiorentina) and Sampdoria the Cup Winners' Cup . We don't know if the miracle (because that would be it) will repeat itself again, but in the meantime we have three teams in the final, ready to play it down to the last ball.
Seville – Rome (21pm, Rai Uno, Sky, DAZN)
We start from the final of Europa League between Seville e Roma, with the Giallorossi chasing their second international trophy after last year's Conference. This time the bar has definitely risen, both because the Cup is worth more (just think that winning it would give access to the Champions League and the European Super Cup), and for the value of the opponent, a real specialist in the event. In fact, the Andalusians have won it six times out of six, setting the absolute record both for the Europa League and the old UEFA Cup: just think that Inter, Juventus, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are chasing (so to speak) at odds of three… From this point of view the comparison is merciless given that Roma have never won the trophy, limiting themselves to the final lost to Inter in 1991, but matches are not won with history, or at least not only. Indeed, the match is rather balanced between the sixth in Serie A and the eleventh in La Liga, even if it is fair to say that the Giallorossi are in a waning phase (the last ever success is the 1-0 win over Leverkusen by 11 May, while in the league you have to go even 3-0 against Udinese on 16 April), while the Spaniards, albeit defeated by Real Madrid on Saturday, have only fallen twice in their last 15 games. Furthermore, the last precedent with Italy certainly does not evoke good memories, given that Mendilibar's team arrived in Budapest beating Juventus, but Mourinho cannot and must not be afraid: if Sevilla are specialists in finals, in fact , the same can also be said for the Special One, who emerged triumphant from all five disputed in his career.
Mourinho: “Sevilla favourite? I respect that, but history doesn't play…”
“It was a long journey, different from that of our opponent who comes from the Champions League – explained the Giallorossi coach in the press conference -. We did 14 races to get here, we deserve it. Now the time is coming, we have been working on it in the last few days and we want to fight until the end. I think history doesn't play, even if Mendilibar thinks otherwise since he sees Sevilla as the favourites. For them, a European final is a habit, for us instead it is something historic, but I repeat that we want to try with all our strength". The discussion then turned to his future, a topic that has kept the Romanist part of the capital anxious for months. The feeling is that the Portuguese, tired of the misunderstandings with the Friedkins and Tiago Pinto, has now decided to move on regardless of tonight's result, just like in the days of Inter, but the person concerned, without denying, did not want to say more. “Any questions about someone's future should be asked to Mendilibar, he's the one who doesn't have the contract – Mou glossed over -. I spoke to my captains, I answered objectively and I don't want them to tell you what I said. They know what I think, compared to 2010 the situation is different because then it was all done with Real. Today zero contacts with other companies, today it is important to be us”.
Mendilibar: “History doesn't play? True, but not even the good words…”
Mendilibar's reply was not long in coming, especially since his press conference was staged immediately after that of his colleague. “History doesn't lie, in the last 20 years Sevilla have been the best in the competition, the trophies are on the showcase – underlined the Spanish coach -. People are not satisfied with good performances, but they want the Europa League. We have done well on our way, this time we will play against a different team and I am convinced that we can have a good performance. Mourinho? He's had white hair since before me, it's true that history doesn't play games but neither do good words towards the opponents. We beat great teams and this time too our approach will be the same, then we'll see who wins."
Seville – Rome, the formations: Dybala is there, but he's starting from the bench
The big doubt on the eve concerned the presence of Dybala, but Mourinho himself took care of dispelling it ("he can play 20-30 minutes"). The Argentine therefore won't start from the beginning, however he will be on the bench ready to take over in the second part of the match: not the best considering that he is the best player in the squad, but better than nothing. For the rest, the choices are made, also by virtue of the return of Spinazzola, the other full title recovered from the cause. Roma's 3-4-2-1 will thus see Rui Patricio in goal, Mancini, Smalling and Ibanez in defense, Celik, Cristante, Matic and Spinazzola in midfield, Pellegrini and El Shaarawy in the trocar, Abraham in attack. Classic 4-2-3-1 also for Mendilibar, who will respond with Bono in goal, Jesus Navas, Marcao, Gudelj and Alex Telles in the back, Rakitic and Fernando in the midfield, Ocampos, Torres and Gil behind the lone striker En-Nesyri.
