Roma wins first edition of the Europa Conference League

Roma defeated Feyenoord 1-0 on Wednesday to win the Europa Conference League title, after labelling the competition ‘Cup of jokes’ last year. 

Roma broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute at Tirana's National Arena with a close-range goal from Nicolo Zaniolo.

Rui Patricio made a spectacular save, pushing Tyrell Malacia's stinging long-range drive onto the post in the 50th minute.

With this result, the Italian football club ended their 61-year trophy drought in Europe since 1961.

Roma’s last European success was in 1961 when the team won the Fairs Cup and the celebrations that greeted the final whistle said it all.

The football competition was abolished in 1971 and replaced by the UEFA Cup.

Jose Mourinho becomes the first manager in history to win the tournament. This takes Mourinho’s overall European title wins to five out of five finals. 

Mourinho couldn’t hide his joy at the achievement and made hand gestures to that effect, reminding everybody he is still the ‘special one’ and a five times European title winner.

His last European success was with Manchester United back in 2017 when he won an Europa League. Jose Mourinho’s Roma have already booked a place in next season’s Europa League.