Roma defender Roger Ibanez realizes Sevilla are a difficult team to deal with, but is ready with his fellow Giallorossi to face the challenge of beating the record UEFA Europa League winners. The biggest match of his playing career, as he calls it, will be hard to overcome, however the presence of Jose Mourinho in the dugout is bound to inspire the Italians.
The center-back spoke to ge.globo.com (via VoceGiallorossa) ahead of the Europa League final in Budapest.
“We started preparing for the match against Sevilla on Sunday. That was the first day we were fully focused on them. We know they are a great team and very difficult to deal with, but so are we. We know our potential and this is the important thing. Two big names will compete in this final.”
Ibanez shed light in Mourinho’s impact on his and the team.
“He made me grow a lot; he brought a lot of experience. He helped me a lot from a mental point of view, even more on the pitch. Mourinho is a person who has added a lot to my career, I just have to thank him.”
He believes it is Roma’s fighting spirit that gives them the edge.
“I think the main feature of this team is the spirit of fighting until the last minute, both on and off the pitch. Even in training we fight a lot. This is a feature that Mourinho brought to us. We don’t stop until the final whistle.”
The game against Sevilla could very well be the final one for Ibanez in the Giallorossi colors, as he preps to lift a second successive European trophy for Roma after the Conference League win last year.
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