Roma has new silverware: Nicolo Zaniolo’s deft first-half goal and several big Rui Patricio saves gave Italy’s capital city the honor of winning the first UEFA Europa Conference League through a 1-0 victory over Feyenoord at Arena Kombetare in Tirana, Albania on Wednesday.
The win is Jose Mourinho’s fifth in five finals, giving him a Conference League title to go with Champions League wins with Porto and Inter Milan, and Europa League triumphs with Manchester United and Porto.
[ MORE: Mourinho speaks after Roma beats Feyenoord to UECL title ]
Ex-Wolves keeper Patricio had four saves in the first hour as Feyenoord also struck the woodwork. He’d finish the game with five saves.
Zaniolo took Gianluca Mancini’s 32nd-minutec cross, chested it down, and nipped the ball past Justin Biljow from close range to give Roma its lead.
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The 22-year-old Fiorentina and Inter Milan academy product has two goals in nine caps for Italy and was Serie A’s Best Young Player for the 2018-19 season with I Lupi.
This was a very Jose Mourinho performance, with Roma happy to hand the ball to their attack-minded opponents. Roma stayed tight, played physical, and kept the Wolves in position to lift the trophy.
Mourinho said Roma “had to write history.” They did.
Roma vs Feyenoord final score, stats
ASRoma 1, Feyenoord 0
Scorers: Zaniolo (32')
Shot attempts: ASRoma 9, Feyenoord 13
Shots on goal: ASRoma 3, Feyenoord 5
Possession: ASRoma 33, Feyenoord 67
THE TOUCH. THE FINISH.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 25, 2022
NICOLO ZANIOLO STRIKES FIRST IN THE #UECL FINAL. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/O20qxZ2OxG
