Sevilla’s Europa League love affair could give them edge
AFP – Sevilla and Roma may seem an even match on paper in the Europa League final but the Andalucians’ love affair with the competition may give them an edge in Budapest on Wednesday.
They are the record six-time champions, with the closest contenders – Inter Milan, Liverpool, Juventus and Atletico Madrid, on three each.
Despite their disappointing season in La Liga, Sevilla have stepped up a gear in the Europa League, blowing away Manchester United and then Juventus to reach a seventh final.
The other six they have emerged victorious in, with captain Jesus Navas saying his side come out of the blocks flying in the competition.
“We transform (in the Europa League) and it’s incredible how we come out in every match,” Navas told UEFA last week.
“It’s a competition that has given us a lot, and the joy it provides us every time we take part in it drives us to go as far as possible.”
This season an added goal is paying back the fans for their support after one of the worst Sevilla La Liga campaigns in recent memory.
Since they were promoted in 2001, they have never finished in the bottom half, but are currently 11th with one game left to play.
It could have been a lot worse. They flirted with relegation for much of the campaign, sacking Julen Lopetegui and then Jorge Sampaoli, before Jose Luis Mendilibar steadied the ship.
“We’re a family, we’ve showed it, we’ve had some very bad moments but the last quarter of the season has been spectacular,” striker Rafa Mir told DAZN on Saturday.
“Now we have the prize of the final, we want to come back here with the cup.”
Mourinho factor
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho will put his remarkable European record on the line in on Wednesday with a second straight continental cup up for grabs.
The 60-year-old coaching icon has never lost a European final in his career, five wins from five over two decades making him the first manager to reach a UEFA final with four different clubs.
Mourinho announced himself on the big stage in 2003 when he led Porto to the UEFA Cup, the Europa League’s precursor, and the following year he claimed the first of two Champions League triumphs.
And 20 years on he is ready to take his tally of European trophies to six at Roma, who tasted success in last year’s Europa Conference League.
The Italian capital has become a happy home for a coach whose time had looked to be over following his unfulfilling time at Tottenham Hotspur.
“Better coach, better person, same DNA. The DNA is motivation, is happiness. Desire for these big moments, and these are the feelings that I try to pass to the boys,” Mourinho told reporters on Thursday.
“I think you can be better and better with your experiences... I think your brain becomes sharper and the accumulation of knowledge is better with the years.
“I think you stop when you lose motivation, my motivation grows up every day... I think I am better now.”
Mourinho has become a bona fide hero to Roma fans after winning their team’s first ever major European honour last season, a triumph which moved the Portuguese veteran to tears.
A deep emotional connection has developed between coach and the supporters – who had waited since 2008 to see their team lift a trophy.
It was reminiscent of his passionate, short-lived love affair with Inter Milan where in his pomp 13 years ago he won the treble of Serie A, Champions League and Italian Cup.
“It’s because I give everything... People aren’t stupid. In the Roma case I think it is above winning or European finals. I think they feel like I wore the shirt and I fight for them every day,” said Mourinho.
Mourinho’s future beyond this season is in serious doubt as Wednesday’s final could be his last major act at Roma.
“The only thing I’m focussed on is the final. I’m not thinking about my future or anything else. Everything else becomes secondary when you have a final to play,” said Mourinho.
“I’m not thinking about myself, I’m thinking about the players and the supporters... we want to play, and Wednesday we will be there.”