Jose Mourinho urges Roma fans ‘all over the world’ to play the Europa League Final against Sevilla with his team. ‘Once the whistle blows, the party ends and we play.’
The showdown is in Budapest on May 31 and the Giallorossi are aiming to make it two UEFA trophies in a row after the Conference League last season.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are serial winners with four Europa League victories, following on from back-to-back UEFA Cup wins in the predecessor to this tournament.
“It’s a tremendous achievement and one that gives us great satisfaction,” Mourinho told the official Roma website.
“I hope our fans, both in Budapest and in Rome, sense that and enjoy the experience of being there, but once the match begins, we want to play it.
“And our fans have to play with us, in Budapest, at home, all over the world: every Romanista has to play it with us.”
The Special One believes the supporters and their bond with the squad can carry them over the line in this Final, just as it helped them throughout the competition.
Mourinho has complained many times about the structure of the Europa League, as three of the four semi-finalists had dropped down from the Champions League, leaving only Roma who started this competition back in September.
“It is tough. Last year, when the Europa League teams joined the Conference League, it became tougher. This year we were immediately paired with Salzburg in the play-offs. Then we had Leverkusen and now Sevilla. These are Champions League teams. Let us also not forget Barcelona and Arsenal, who we didn’t play, but they’re obviously Champions League sides too.
“It’s been a tough journey with lots of problems, injuries and restrictions, but the players have put so much effort in. That’s why we’re proud and it’s an honour for me to be with them.
“I want to end saying what I said already: we have a match to play and we want to play it. We done so much to get here, now that we’re here, we should celebrate until kick-off. Once the whistle blows, the party ends and we play.”