Erik Lamela was responsible for sending Europa League specialists Sevilla into the final once again, as his 95th minute header broke Juventus hearts and set up a grandstand finale against his former club. Lamela, who spent two years in the Giallorossi colors, believes it will be a special occasion to face his ex-club and coach Jose Mourinho, under whom he played at Tottenham Hotspur.
In an exclusive with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via VoceGiallorossa), Lamela shed light on the upcoming final against Roma in Budapest at the end of the month.
“It will be a special match. I left several friends in Rome, I spoke to them before the return match against Juventus and now we meet in the final. I’m very happy for Roma’s progress & I expect it to be a good match.”
Lamela revealed how he keeps close tabs on Roma and Mourinho.
“It’s a team I know well and one that has become very strong under Mourinho has. Well, Mourinho: I know him too and I love him very much. This is why I said it will be a special game: meeting him and challenging the team from a unique city where I have left many friends makes me very happy. It will be a difficult match because Roma are doing well, but we too are in good shape.”
The attacking midfielder played for two seasons between 2019 and 2021 under Mourinho at Spurs.
“He’s a good person. I love him very much and I think he loves me. We had a good relationship and I think he’s a great coach. I see him as a coach who makes the team compete better. When I think about the time spent with him, only beautiful memories come to mind.”
Lamela scored 21 goals in 67 appearances for the Giallorossi between 2011 and 2013, before moving to Tottenham.
Roma, who beat Bayer Leverkusen with a defensive masterclass await Sevilla on May 31 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, as Mourinho seeks to lift his second European trophy on the trot.
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