Jose Mourinho will attempt to win the third Europa League title of his career when Roma take on the competition’s most successful-ever club Sevilla in Budapest.
The Special One has never lost a European final and can lead Roma to back-to-back victories after steering the Serie A club to the Europa Conference League title last season.
Mourinho boasts a formidable record in European competitions having won five titles over the past 20 years. His trophy cabinet consists of two Champions Leagues (with Inter Milan in 2010 and Porto in 2004), two Europa Leagues (with Manchester United in 2017 and Porto in 2003), and the Conference League (with Roma in 2022).
After his time at Tottenham, many thought that Mourinho was done at the top level of management but the city of Rome has fallen in love with the Portuguese manager during his two seasons.
This could be his penultimate match in charge, however, with PSG reportedly considering him as their next boss after another disappointing Champions League effort.
“We are in the final because we deserved to be, they have a history that we do not have,” Mourinho said. “For them to play [in] the final is a normal thing, for us it is an extraordinary event.
” I have had more opportunities to play in European competitions, but Mendilibar is of the same generation as me, with the same white hair. We are on an equal footing.
“It’s the same for the players: Sevilla have more experience, but we’ve been playing together for two years.”
Although Mourinho’s record in European finals is formidable, so too is Sevilla’s as the La Liga club have also never lost in six previous attempts.
Incredibly, all six of their Europa League victories have come in the past 17 years: in 2005-06, 2006-07, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2019-20.
Sevilla’s most recent triumph came against one of Roma’s domestic rivals as they beat Inter Milan 3-2 in the 2019-20 showpiece, with Romelu Lukaku’s own goal proving to be decisive.
How to watch
Date: Wednesday 31 May 2023
Kick-off: 8pm BST (coverage begins at 7.15pm)
TV Channel: BT Sport 1
Stream: BT Sport app, website or YouTube channel
Although Sevilla have endured a disappointing domestic season – they are 11th in La Liga with one game remaining – they have been typically effective in Europe, eliminating Manchester United and Juventus in the previous two rounds.
“The coach has been very clear from the start about what he wants,” said Ivan Rakitic on Tuesday. “This won’t change tomorrow. We have to be ourselves.
“When we say nobody loves the competition like we do, it’s not because some bright spark in the club offices said it, it’s because we think that way. We have to play the perfect game and win the cup and bring it home.”
The game will be broadcast on BT Sport 1 but will also be free to stream on the BT Sport YouTube Channel
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