José Mourinho made history on Wednesday when his Roma side became the first club to win the Europa Conference League defeating Feyenoord 1-0. He’s now the only manager in history to win all three of Europe’s tournaments and he can give a big thanks to goalkeeper Rui Patrício for making a massive save to keep his side ahead on Wednesday.
Rui Patrício was nearly written off as a goalkeeper heading into the 2021-22 season. The previous season he had been anything but consistent with Wolves and left for Roma after one of his worst seasons (51 goals conceded in 37 games).
This season was slightly better for the Portuguese goalkeeper, but perhaps his finest moment came in Wednesday’s Europa Conference League Final. In the 50th minute he made a fantastic diving save to deny Feyenoord an equalizing goal.
Rui Patrício Save vs Feyenoord
RUI PATRICIO. WHAT A SAVE. pic.twitter.com/KOClOl7VEs
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
Roma would find itself defending for nearly the entire second half and Rui Patrício was there to bail out his side multiple times. He had five saves on the night.
Rui Patrício against Feyenoord:
5 Saves
100% High-claims
100% Run-outs
100% Aerial Duels
1 Clearance
36 Touches
15 Passes
11/22 Accurate Long Balls✌️. #UECL #Roma #RomFey pic.twitter.com/75gmxZF88V
— Mozo Football (@MozoFootball) May 25, 2022
Roma found the game’s sole goal through Nicolo Zaniolo in the 32nd minute.
THE TOUCH. THE FINISH.
NICOLO ZANIOLO STRIKES FIRST IN THE #UECL FINAL. pic.twitter.com/O20qxZ2OxG— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
The Special One parked the bus in the second half and thwarted Feyenoord from finding an equalizer. When the full-time whistle sounded the thousands of Roma fans inside the Air Albania Stadium along with those watching back home in Rome celebrated accordingly.
ROMA ARE THE FIRST EVER #UECL CHAMPIONS. pic.twitter.com/MimeLj6SK5
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
The moment the full-time whistle went at the Olimpico… ❤️#ASRoma #UECL pic.twitter.com/Onhd24lmqU
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 25, 2022
José Mourinho: “I’m gonna turn down any proposal. I will stay here at Roma even if there are rumours. We made history today”. #ASRoma
“I have no doubts, I will continue as Roma manager”. pic.twitter.com/bjFspLg6Ag— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 25, 2022
4 - José Mourinho is the first manager to win a major European competition with four different teams (FC Porto x2, Internazionale, Manchester United & Roma). Special. pic.twitter.com/3xj5mjsfDm
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 25, 2022
Last season Mourinho helped Tottenham reach the League Cup final but then surprisingly was let go before the final. He proved on Wednesday why you don’t fire Mourinho before a final.
Another one for the collection pic.twitter.com/YHjdR1qIBi
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
