Roma – Feyenoord

The Conference League final will follow Roma and José Mourinho’s scenario

Albania will host the final of the new Conference Europa League competition on Wednesday 25 May. The club of Rome were initially one of the main favourites for the competition. That's also the case in the decider. Roma look very confident in 2022. The team managed to finish in sixth place in the Italian championship. José Mourinho's first season was without flashes, but without the threat of relegation. A trophy will be a rare achievement for Roma. In recent encounters, the Italian club have played with the European Cup in mind. In the championship, they have not always been able to add results. Most importantly, Roma have no problems in attack. Tammy Abraham scored 17 goals in one season in the Italian league alone. The Englishman is Roma's main weapon ahead of the final. In their last six matches in all competitions, Roma have never hit a total of more than 3. It is Jose Mourinho's favourite football. The Romans have beaten many opponents in class, although for the most part they have not featured well against the Italian giants. In the Conference League, Roma survived in England against Leicester and then competently defended to defeat a mid-table side in the AFL on home soil. Feyenoord have had a very strong and consistent season. In the Netherlands, the team has finally established itself as a third force. They cannot compete with Ajax and PSV over the long haul, but the club is very dangerous in the cup format. In European competitions, the team from Rotterdam played for the total in all matches. Occasionally, there were quite goal-scoring gigs, as against Sparta, 3-3. Feyenoord were unfaithful only at the crucial moment. The Dutch shut out Marseille in the return leg and defended a goalless draw. In the Conference League final, too, you can hardly expect an open game. Two opposites are meeting. José Mourinho's style is cautious and results-orientated. The Dutch are trying to play first-choice football without thinking about defending. At the same time, it's highly unlikely that Slot's men will open up against a team that specialises in counterattacks. Feyenoord could have played bravely in the group stage or in a two-match format, but the final is a special match. Mourinho prefers to avoid risk as much as possible in such games and exploit their class advantage. That could well work against Feyenoord. The Italians have improved their teamwork in defence at the end of the season. We can even expect a three-man centre-back formation. A hail of goals in Albania is not in sight.