AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho says he is not fixated on becoming a legend at AS Roma after leading his team to a second successive European final with a 1-0 aggregate win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-finals, second leg on Friday.
Leverkusen, whose last major title was won in 1993, had 23 attempts on goal but Jose Mourinho’s side who went through even then had only one attempt on goal all game.
“All that’s missing are goals,” said Demirbay of Leverkusen as quoted by ESPN.
“We were unlucky. It’s bittersweet not to be appreciated for a performance like that. But I’m proud of the way we played.”
Jose Mourinho, who won Europe’s second tier club competition in 2017 with Manchester United, led Roma to win the European Conference League last season.
“My worries don’t mark my place in the Roma history books,” Mourinho told Sky Sport as quoted by ESPN.
“It helps these [players] kids to grow, to achieve important things,” he said. “It also helps the Roma fans, who have given me so much from day one. It’s a great joy to reach another final.”
“The players gave everything, this game is the result of our hard work, experience, tactical wisdom and knowing how to defend in the game. This is an extraordinary team,” said Mourunho.
Jose Mourinho thanked Roma fans for their outstanding support throughout the Europa League season, while asking for their continued support as the team prepares for their return to Serie A action against Salernitana on Monday.
“I don’t know if I could ask for anything more from the fans but these players deserve something special on Monday when we leave Trigoria [training ground].”
However, Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini says all credit must go to Mourinho for the team’s success.
“He is different, he makes you realize the importance of the game. We came here and everyone knows what they have to do,” said Pellegrini.
“We study, we organize ourselves, we watch videos. Especially in Europe, you can see what the coach gives us. Mourinho is the creator of this personality of ours,” he continued.
AS Roma are sixth in Serie A with 59 points, two behind AC Milan and six clear of Lazio in the final Champions League places.
