A Nicolo Zaniolo goal in the first half decided the final against Feyenoord in Tirana, but the match winner was as much as goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who made some excellent saves and kept a clean sheet despite the Dutch club pressing hard in the second half. .

Roma lost 1-6 and 1-2 away against Bod/Glimt in the group stage and quarter-finals, meanwhile 2-2 at home in the group stage before the team won in the fourth attempt as the semifinal tickets were to be distributed.

The Norwegians also got in the way on Wednesday. Fredrik Aursnes played the entire game as the anchor of the Feyenoord midfield, while Marcus Holmgren Pedersen played in the final quarter plus extra time. They failed to prevent Rome’s victory.

In extra time, Cyriel Dessers won once in the air against Roma strongman Chris Smalling, through play from Aursnes. Substitute Bryan Linssen found the ball from close range but missed.

It was the last chance for Feyenoord, and the Rome celebrations could begin.

– You can hear from the fans how much this means, the club’s first European Cup title. Everyone worked backwards in the second half to get away, Smalling told TV4 in his rogue life after the game.

Feyenoord had hoped to host Holland’s first European Cup triumph in 20 years, but were unsuccessful. After picking up two wins each in the Champions League and Europa League, Mourinho can also celebrate victory in the new European Cup tournament.

It was Italy’s first European Cup title since Mourinho won the Champions League with Inter in 2010.

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Winning goal

Feyenoord got off to a good start, but it was Roma who in the first half had the only real chance of taking the lead with a fine display from Zaniolo, made possible by stopper Gernot Trauner’s miscalculation.

Gianluca Mancini made a fine backroom pass that Trauner should have handled better. The ball passed him, and Zaniolo caught it in his chest before he effortlessly pushed it elegantly past the goalkeeper just before Aursnes reached it with his tackle.

Feyenoord had plenty of possession but created no danger before the summer break in Tirana. That soon changed in the second half, as the team gave the Roma defense and Rui Patricio more than enough to do it.

Giant rescue

47 minutes, the Dutch club showed a smart corner kick. Orkun Kökcu got the ball back, and at the post Roma defender Mancini’s hard and flat ball at his own post was pressed hard by Trauner. On his return, Guus Til fired home, but the goalkeeper made a fine save.

The Feyenoord players thought the ball was in Mancini’s arms en route from the post to Til. VAR connected, but found nothing criminal.

It was not a long break for Rui Patricio. After 50 minutes, Aursnes put themselves in a 0 – 1 lead, as Tyrell Malacnia completed an attack from the left with a real cannon placed at the far post. The left-back was hit hard from over 20 metres, but the Roma goalkeeper threw himself and hit the ball across the crossbar and out.

Lucky

Feyenoord had no margin on their side but were very lucky when Tammy Abraham minutes later came through at the end of the field. Feyenoord stopper Marcos Senesi knocked him off balance by pulling hard on his arm. It should have been a red card, but the referee didn’t see the situation and let the game continue. VAR doesn’t interfere either.

Feyenoord can continue to press with 11 men on the pitch. Coach Arne Slot is gradually making some offensive changes. Marcus Holmgren Pedersen came on for Trauner just over a quarter of an hour before the end and had to use his pace down the right flank.

Roma have to withstand strong pressure, but also have opportunities to pierce the match. One goal turned out to be enough in a day when Mourinho’s side managed to close their own net.