Europa Conference League: A.S. Roma defeats Leicester city 1-0; Jose Mourinho broke down in tears as the final whistle rang

The win helped José Mourinho’s side secure a place in the Europa Conference League final with an aggregate 2-1 aggregate victory over Leicester City. An early header by Tammy Abraham in the 11th minute decided this semi-final. José Mourinho has the opportunity to end his first season with the Serie A club with a trophy later this month. It was the English striker’s ninth goal of the season.

The side of Brendan Rodgers failed to trouble A.S. Roma on the field, but the Foxes, who have won both the Premier League and FA Cup in the last six years, fell short of qualifying for the European semi-final. José Mourinho will try to add to his previous Champions League and Europa League victories to win the 26th major title of his career with Roma, who has not been able to win a European league since 1972.

Determination of the Italian side was visible as a pre-match banner read ‘Everyone in Britain dreads the name of the Romans’. Even though Roma had 37% possession compared to 63% of Leicester City, they controlled the match and kept the attackers from the visitors at bay. The Foxes failed to gain sustained momentum, and their first-half performance at the fully packed Stadia Olimpico was far inferior to the squad of José Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers, from mentor-mentee to opponents

A.S. Roma manager Jose Mourinho and Leicester City boss Brendan Rogers have a long relationship both on and off the pitch, even sharing their birthday. While Jose Mourinho was the manager of Chelsea, he gave Brendan Rogers his first chance in the football business by hiring him to coach Chelsea’s youth team in 2004. 

Brendan Rodgers moved to Watford in 2008 and did not meet on the pitch until December 2013, when Brendan Rodger managed Liverpool, and Jose Mourinho was still at Chelsea. The Reds lost 2-1 to Chelsea, despite getting an early lead. Brendan Rodger’s side has just won one of nine matches between the two managers, a 2-0 victory for Leicester City against Tottenham Hotspur in December 2020.

The victory of A.S Roma has put Jose Mourinho 6-1 with three draws against Brendan Rodgers head to head. 

Jose Mourinho broke down in tears as the final whistle blew, sealing his victory. Securing the first European trophy for Roma would be a memorable way to end his first season in charge and might remind people of his greatness. Winning the Europa Conference League final would make him one of the few managers in history to have won all three UEFA European competitions.

A.S. Roma will face Feyenoord in the final of the European Conference League at Orange Vélodrome on May 26.