Rome has won. Zaniolo's goal and Rui Patricio's saves were enough for the Giallorossi to advance to beat Feyenoord and conquer the Conference League, giving the capital a night of celebration that hadn't been seen for a long time, 21 years to be precise. Yes, because if it is true that the last trophy before yesterday was the 2008 Italian Cup, it is also true that certain scenes of jubilation refer to 2001, the year of the Scudetto by Fabio Capello. Now, however, José Mourinho is in charge and the joy is roughly the same: in fact, the fans don't care that the Conference is only the third most important European cup and this passion, images in hand, has been transmitted to coaches and players, all in tears after beating the Dutch in Tirana night.
Mou triumphs and bursts into tears: "We made history"
The match was decided by Zaniolo, who scored the winning goal in the 32nd minute, and Rui Patricio, who was fundamental in repelling the siege by Feyenoord, especially in the second half. The face of triumph, however, is that of the Special One, the first coach in history to win all the UEFA trophies, who returned to the center after 5 years of fasting, topped off with two exemptions (Manchester United and Tottenham) and many doubts about his ability to remain at the top, obviously of the others. However, Roma welcomed him as if all this had never happened and he thanked them in his own way, that is by bringing the first international trophy in the club's history to the showcase (the 1961 Fairs Cup is not recognized by UEFA), but above all by happy a people fasting for 14 years.
“Tonight we wrote the history of this club – he explained with teary eyes immediately after the award ceremony – It was difficult to achieve this success, but we were aiming for this victory, it took us a long time without losing sight of our goal in the league. My future? I'm staying here, there's no doubt, I feel 100% Romanist, even if there are rumors I want to stay in Rome. Now, however, we will have to understand what the owners want to do next season…”.
The final sting to the Friedkins is far from accidental, because the Special One knows that it has definitively entered the hearts of the fans and therefore that it can raise the bar without problems, aware that no one, not even the owners, would ever dare to go against him .
Tiago Pinto exults: "It won't be our last trophy"
“This is an award for the Friedkins, they have brought another mentality – exulted Tiago Pinto -. We have to do things right every day, but this won't be our last trophy." Lots of joy also in the locker room, where the players literally went mad with joy for having given Rome a European Cup.
Zaniolo: "I made a dream come true" – Pellegrini: "Let's get used to nights like this"
“We enjoy the moment, I realize a dream I had as a child – explained Zaniolo, match winner of the final – There are no words, I thank the fans, the cup is all for them. We are a strong team, maybe we don't even know how much”. Of the same opinion is Captain Pellegrini, the first to lift a trophy with an armband after Totti. “We're a real team and we've shown it, now we have to celebrate a lot and then start again, after these great victories it's always difficult – his words -. It's a beautiful moment, we have to fix it in our heads and make it happen again as soon as possible ”.
Rome crazy with joy: parties all night long, today we repeat with the team
Great joy in Tirana, but it is above all in Rome that the party has unleashed. The fans, already present en masse at the Olimpico to watch the match from the big screen (50 spectators, it almost seemed as if the game was being played there), poured into the historic center from the various districts of the city, creating an incredible show, comparable to a Scudetto or at a party for the national team. However, the bulk will arrive today, when the team and the fans will unite for a collective embrace, even if it is not yet clear how. “We return from Tirana tonight, but we don't know when yet – the tweet published by the company. Tomorrow afternoon (today for the reader, ed), however, we will all celebrate together in Rome. We will update you in the morning with the schedule. Dajeeeee dajeeeee dajeeeeeee”. Because the Giallorossi have been waiting for success for 14 years and a night of partying is just a simple appetizer…
