AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho was left in tears after guiding his side to the Europa Conference League final on Thursday and said Europe¡¯s third-tier competition was like their Champions League.
A first-half header from Tammy Abraham gave Roma a 1-0 win over Leicester City on the night and a 2-1 victory on aggregate to send them through to the inaugural Europa Conference League final on May 25, where they will face Feyenoord.
¡°This is a giant club without the trophy room in relation to the social dimension of the club. So, this is not a trophy, it¡¯s only the final but it means a lot for them,¡± said Mourinho.
¡°Of course I have had bigger moments than this, but I am not feeling for myself, I am feeling for the people and my players. This for us, is our Champions League.¡±
Mourinho, who took over at Roma in May last year, was in tears as he embraced his coaching staff after the win.
¡°I shed a tear because my emotion was for everyone who loves this club,¡± said Mourinho, who has now reached five European finals with four different clubs, having won all his previous ones with Porto, Inter Milan and Manchester United.
¡°I¡¯ve had the fortune to play more prestigious finals than this one. But in terms of the way we¡¯ve created a family atmosphere here, it makes me feel special.¡±
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