We needed the special man to give Roma, accustomed more to suffering than to winning, a European final after 31 years. Josè Mourinho’s 5 May is an ode to his ability, however, to get where many have tried but without succeeding: also and above all with the yellow and red colors, because in the magical night of the Olimpico with 65 thousand flags to wave and as many fans to sing , Tammy Abraham’s goal is enough for Roma to beat Leicester 1-0, after the 1-1 first leg, and fly to Tirana, where on May 25 the chances of winning the Conference League will be played against Feyenoord.
The third, in order of importance of the European cups, the latest born in the Uefa home, a trophy that the Portuguese has always said to keep, he who has two Champions and as many Europa League on the bulletin board, and now he wants this too for become the only coach in the last thirty years to win three different European club competitions. Mourinho sends Sergio Oliveira on the field from 1 ‘in place of Mkhitaryan. In attack Zaniolo and Pellegrini behind Abraham. Rodgers relies on Vardy, with Lookman and Barnes completing the trident. The stadium is the one for great occasions, the covid a faded memory, thousands of yellow and red flags and a choreography that has bothered even the classics: “In Britain everyone feared the name of the Romans”, the Latin writing appeared under the South.
An auspice, which however Tammy Abraham – fasting against the British until now – has immediately turned into facts. It is precisely the most prolific Briton at home in Rome who gives Mourinho’s team the lead on 11: on the second consecutive corner, the Giallorossi striker takes off and beats Schmeichel with his head. Leicester feel the pinch, and the response is a bit timid with Dewsbury-Hall closing round. Roma, on the other hand, pushes again: at 17 ‘another opportunity with Pellegrini who forces the Foxes goalkeeper to intervene and send for a corner. Then he manages and effectively prevents the British from sweeping maneuvers. In the second half Rodgers plays the exchange card: Lookman and Barnes come out, Amartey and Iheanacho enter. In the stands there is Claudio Ranieri, the creator of the Leicester miracle, champion of England in 2016: the British fans together with the Roma fans give an intense standing ovation that moves the coach to the Roman and Roma coach.
In the meantime, Roma are struggling and possession of the ball belongs to Leicester. The pace drops, in the 33rd minute Mourinho lets Veretout in for Zaniolo. Two minutes later an opportunity for Roma with Zalewski, soon replaced by Vina. Abraham exhausted, limping, asks for the change which arrives however only at 43 ‘amidst the applause of the Olimpico (Shomurodov instead of the Englishman). Five minutes of recovery, and the only thrill Maddison who does not find the goal from distance, Then Sergio Oliveira tries a right from distance. Schmeichel swerves for a corner. But Rome sees the finish line: Abraham’s goal is enough to dispel the English taboo, break the curse and take a European final. And a man on the bench who wanted the Olimpico on the pitch to play. For an evening and a special success.
