'Great joy' as Mourinho's Roma hold firm to make Europa League final

The Europa Conference League holders created little in attack but defended doggedly, as the increasingly frustrated home side peppered their goal in search of an equaliser. The visitors held on through eight minutes of added time and will face six-time winners Sevilla in the final in Budapest on May 31 after the Spanish side overcame Juventus in extra time in the other semi-final.

Mourinho told 'Sky Sport' "today there is great joy after reaching another Europa League final". Toasting his "unbelievable team", Mourinho said "I don't know if I can ask for more but these guys deserve something special." Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini told 'Sky Sport Italia': "There are many things which Roma can and must improve, but as a true group, as a family, we have succeeded in this small feat."

Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso said "I'm not going to cry", telling the post-match press conference his side had "many reasons to be optimistic". "I am happy, pleased and proud of the players and the way they tried until the end. We must continue, with our heads up and continue.

Leverkusen midfielder Kerem Demirbay accused Mourinho of using "ugly" defensive tactics. "It's a shame that in a semi-final at such a high level that this type of play can be rewarded," he told Germany's RTL. "They made things very ugly at the end."

 

May 18, 2023