Roma suffered a penalty shootout defeat against Sevilla in the Europa League final after a long and drawn out match in Budapest.
Jose Mourinho recalled his stars to the line-up, including talisman Paulo Dybala who was questionable to start at the Puskas Arena. It was that man who made the first impact of the affair too as Dybala put Roma ahead with a tidy finish with around ten minutes to go of the opening period.
It was animated down on the touchline, with the ever-energetic Mourinho and co. causing the officiating team all kinds of issues throughout the night. The Portuguese boss had his side well-drilled with his resilient defensive structure that limited Sevilla’s chances in the first half. The pressure came piling on to begin the second, though, and the Spanish outfit were able to draw the scores level, with Gianluca Mancini turning the ball into his own net.
Regulation nor extra time was able to separate the two sides in what became a dull affair late on. Roma failed to keep their composure in the shootout as penalty misses by Mancini and Roger Ibanez handed Sevilla the win. So, here’s our Roma player ratings as Mourinho failed to lift back-to-back European trophies to curtail Sevilla’s Europa League dominance.
Roma: (3-4-2-1)
Rui Patricio – 5.5
Originally saved Gonzalo Montiel’s decisive penalty kick but had to be retaken which allowed the defender to seal the win.
Gianluca Mancini – 6
Played a superb ball through for Dybala for the opener but Sevilla’s equalizer would go down as an own goal by the 27-year-old. Solid overall at the back but missed his penalty in the shootout.
Chris Smalling – 8
Superior in the air for the Giallorossi and continues to impress. Mourinho’s best defender and dealt with Youssef En-Nesyri all night.
Roger Ibanez – 6
Won a couple of important headers in the first half. Had his heart in his mouth with around 15 minutes to go when referee Anthony Taylor originally penalized him for a foul in the box but was rightfully overturned after a VAR review. Sloppiness crept in as the match progressed and had his penalty denied.
Zeki Celik – 5.5
Poor in possession but didn’t do anything wrong defensively. Booked in the second half for a clear foul on Erik Lamela.
Bryan Cristante – 6.5
Aggressive as ever in the midfield and won a number of duels and challenges.
Nemanja Matic – 6.5
Composed display and didn’t do much wrong in the middle of the park.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 6
Could have put Roma ahead with the first real chance of the match but hit it straight down the throat of goalkeeper Bono. Most of Sevilla’s threat came down his side of the pitch but didn’t make any obvious mistakes.
Lorenzo Pellegrini – 6
No real cutting edge to his game and rightfully booked for simulation at the end of the first half. Set up an excellent chance from a free kick with a tidy clipped ball for Andrea Belotti but the forward failed to finish.
Paulo Dybala – 7.5
Lacked a bit of sharpness in his play after first half hour but managed to slot the ball home with a composed finish to put the Giallorossi in front and was much more lively from there on in. Taken off for Georginio Wijnaldum midway through the second period.
Tammy Abraham – 5.5
Came close to putting Roma back in front midway through the second half but was denied from close range by Bono. Rarely involved otherwise.
Substitutions
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5
Little impact when he came on for Dybala in the second period.
Andrea Belotti – 5
Had a wonderful chance to restore Roma’s lead late on but didn’t get clean enough contact on his finish.