Wednesday night’s Europa League final at the Puskas Arena promises an intense battle between two European heavyweights as six-time winners Sevilla take on a Roma side managed by the experienced Jose Mourinho, who boasts an unbeaten record in five continental finals.
Both teams have had mixed fortunes in their respective domestic leagues but have excelled in Europe’s second-tier competition, setting the stage for an enthralling showdown where only one side can lift the coveted silverware.
Sevilla, steeped in a proud tradition, will enter the final with confidence, having reached the final of the Europa League (and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup) for a record-breaking seventh time. Their remarkable success in the competition includes lifting the trophy on all previous occasions they reached the finale, with their first triumph dating back to 2006 when current captain Jesus Navas played a pivotal role in securing victory over Middlesbrough.
Their most recent Europa League triumph came three years ago, and now they find themselves concluding a challenging 2022-23 campaign by traveling to Hungary, a nation hosting its first European final since 1985. Along the way, Sevilla eliminated the likes of Manchester United and Juventus, displaying their strength in the competition with 25 wins from their last 28 Europa League matches at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. However, they face a resilient Roma side and must demonstrate their mettle on neutral territory.
Roma, like Sevilla, have endured a difficult domestic season and will arrive in Budapest under the guidance of their third coach of the campaign, Jose Luis Mendilibar. Despite their struggles, Sevilla’s fortunes have improved since his appointment, as they have lost just twice under his leadership. Mendilibar’s steady hand has helped the team avoid relegation from La Liga, and now they stand just one victory away from claiming their seventh continental title.
A win in Budapest would elevate Sevilla to the ranks of only five clubs who have won more major European trophies. And history seems to favor them, as their only previous meeting with Roma saw them progress from the Europa League’s last 16 in 2020 before ultimately lifting the trophy for the sixth time.
On the other side, Jose Mourinho, already an accomplished manager with five major UEFA trophies to his name, aims to become the most decorated manager in European competition history, surpassing Italian maestro Giovanni Trapattoni. Having led Roma to victory in the inaugural Europa Conference League last year, Mourinho has the opportunity to become the first coach to win the Europa League with three different clubs, following previous successes with Porto in 2003 and Manchester United in 2017.
Despite recent struggles in Italy, Roma demonstrated their strength by progressing through the group stage and eliminating formidable opponents such as Red Bull Salzburg, Real Sociedad, Feyenoord, and Bayer Leverkusen. The team’s resilient defense and tactical prowess were on display as they secured a narrow victory over Leverkusen in the semi-finals. Sitting sixth in Serie A, their final league position remains uncertain, but a victory in the Europa League final would guarantee their direct entry into the Champions League group stage for the 2023-24 season.
With Mourinho’s reputation on the line, rumors swirling about his potential departure, and the coveted Champions League spot at stake, the stage is set for an epic showdown in Budapest. Despite recent criticism of Roma’s form, including accusations of intentionally underperforming in their domestic matches, they have proven their mettle on the European stage. The Giallorossi’s journey to the final featured a decisive goal by young Roman Edoardo Bove in the first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, followed by a masterful defensive display in the second leg to secure their place in the final—a true Mourinho masterclass in tactical discipline.
