Ancelotti, Totti believe Mourinho can help Roma win Europa League

According to coach Carlo Ancelotti and former striker Francesco Totti, Jose Mourinho has enough experience to help Roma defeat Sevilla in today's Europa League final.

"After a difficult time, Sevilla have done very well in the last two months," Ancelotti said, attending an event in Rome to mark the 40th anniversary of AS Roma's second Serie A title with some of his former teammates. "Sevilla are well organised with the new coach, but Roma have a chance with Mourinho, who is a master of finals. Hopefully they will win."

Ancelotti scored 17 goals in 227 appearances for Roma between 1979 and 1987, winning one Serie A title and four Italian Cups. The 63-year-old believes Roma should follow the example of Real Madrid - the club he now manages - in the coming years. "Fighting for the past is a great strength of a club. Real are doing that and if Roma do the same, they will be a better club and can continue to win major titles," he explained.

Mourinho watches a Roma training session in Triogria. Photo: asroma.it — Mourinho (in white shirt) watches a Roma training session in Triogria. Photo: *asroma.it*

Mourinho will be in his sixth European Cup final, having won all five of his previous matches. The "Special One" won the UEFA Cup (precursor to the Europa League) in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004 with Porto, helped Inter win the Champions League in 2010, led Man Utd to the top of the Europa League in 2017 and won the Europa Conference League for the first time with Roma last season.

Roma's opponents in Budapest, Hungary today - Sevilla - are known as the "kings" of the Europa League. The Spanish club is the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won the title six times in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.

Similar to Ancelotti, legend Francesco Totti believes that Mourinho's winning habit and intelligence are the main factors that give Roma confidence when entering the Europa League final. The Italian legend told UEFA.com : "With Mourinho, Roma have a great chance to win the title. With this type of coach with a strong personality, everything is easier. He is used to winning and can transmit this winning mentality to the team, and I think that is what he is doing."

Totti admitted that Sevilla have more experience in Europa League finals, having won all six of them. "But sooner or later, with a little luck, someone will make Sevilla lose," he added.

Totti spent his entire professional career with Roma. He joined the youth team in 1989, and made his debut for the first team in 1993 at the age of 16. Before playing his last game for Roma on 29 May 2017 at the age of 40, Totti scored 307 goals in 785 games as the team won the 2000-2001 Serie A title and two Italian Cups.

The 46-year-old said he wanted to play under Mourinho before he hung up his boots, but it didn't work out. "I spoke to Mourinho quite often," Totti revealed. "I faced Mourinho as a coach, but I wanted to play under him. Unfortunately, Mourinho had other opportunities, and chose other clubs."

Totti admitted that not winning the European Cup with Roma was one of the biggest regrets of his career. But he affirmed that having the opportunity to wear and contribute to his childhood club for nearly 30 years is still a source of great pride.

Hong Duy

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