Germany: Leverkusen players were disheartened after losing to Jose Mourinho's Roma in the Europa League semi-final.
"To play like that and get this far, to the semi-finals, there's nothing to be proud of. It's a bitter defeat. Of course, that's football. But we have to congratulate our opponents. He achieved his goal in a reprehensible way," midfielder Kerem Demirbay told German television channel RTL .
Mourinho coached Roma in their 0-0 draw against Leverkusen. Photo: AFP
After losing 0-1 in the first leg in Italy, Leverkusen dominated AS Roma in the second leg but couldn't score. Demirbay was the best player for the German team. But his performance wasn't enough to help his team end a 21-year absence from European Cup finals. The last time they did that was when they lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League final in 2002.
In both matches, Roma displayed a tight, Mourinho-style game. Lorenzo Pellegrini's goal secured their place in the final. Roma will compete for the title against Spanish club Sevilla – the most successful team in Europa League history with six titles.
Attacking midfielder Nadiem Amiri was also disappointed by the loss to Roma. He said: "I'm so disappointed. We didn't deserve to be eliminated by a team that doesn't know how to play football. I wonder how we could lose because of what they showed today and last week. That's not football. For a team that plays like that to reach the final is insane."
Sharing his views with the players, Leverkusen's Sporting Director Simon Rolfes said: "After every shot on target, one of their players would be lying on the pitch and had to be stretchered off because he was in so much pain. I think everyone in the stadium today was wishing him good luck in the final against Sevilla. It's sad that this style of play leads to success."
Roma will play Sevilla in the Europa League final on the evening of May 31st at the Puskas Arena in Hungary. Last season, Mourinho and his players beat Feyenoord 1-0 in the Conference League final – Roma's first-ever European Cup final. Winning the Europa League this season would secure them a place in the Champions League.
Vinh San (according to Mundo Deportivo )
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