— Roma have not won a European competition in 50 years
Tammy Abraham's header secures 2-1 aggregate win for Roma over Leicester in Europa Conference League semi-final second leg. Roma, who face Feyenoord in the final, have won seven of their last eight home meetings against English sides.
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| IMAGE— ECL: Abraham's header secured a 2-1 aggregate win to end Leicester's adventure in the competition |
Roma have not won a European competition in 50 years and would now have an eye at the Trophy as they tackle Feyenoord in the final in Tirana.
Roma reached the inaugural Europa Conference League final after Tammy Abraham's header secured a 2-1 aggregate win to end Leicester's adventure in the competition at the Stadio Olimpico.
Following last Thursday's 1-1 draw in the first leg at the King Power Stadium, Brendan Rodgers' side faced a stiff test in front of a sell-out crowd in the Eternal City but were ultimately undone by another set-piece as Abraham rose unmarked to head in Lorenzo Pellegrini's corner after 11 minutes.
The Foxes had earlier seen a penalty claim dismissed after Chris Smalling appeared to drag Wesley Fofana down inside the box but the visitors failed to trouble Rui Patricio despite improving after the break.
James Maddison had Leicester's best chance in stoppage time as he collected Fofana's pass but his left-foot shot flew a yard wide as Mourinho led the celebrations at full-time having reached his fifth European final.
Roma will face Feyenoord in the Europa Conference League showpiece on May 25 after the Dutch side held on for a 0-0 draw at Marseille to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
Man of the match - Tammy Abraham —Abraham tormented the Leicester defence
Pellegrini's dangerous delivery was met by Abraham and he outjumped Pereira to power a towering header past Schmeichel from seven yards.
It was the striker's ninth goal in the competition this season - with Alan Shearer and Stan Bowles the only Englishmen to score more in a single European campaign.
It was his work rate and hold-up play besides his goal which galvanised his team-mates, and the supporters, in the closing stages.
Jose Mourinho: I shed a tear for the fans as Roma booked their spot in the Conference League final
Rodgers rolled the dice at the break with the ineffective Ademola Lookman and Harvey Barnes replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho and Daniel Amartey.
A double change at the break helped Leicester overcome a second-leg deficit to beat PSV in last month's quarter-final and immediately they were more robust but still lacked the imagination to level the tie.
Jamie Vardy did have a shot blocked by Abraham and the Foxes saw more of the ball, with Maddison curling at Patricio with 13 minutes left.
Roma have not won a European competition for 50 years, since beating Blackpool in the 1972 Anglo-Italian Cup but Mourinho will now look to complete the set after his past Champions League and Europa League victories.
"Of course it is an emotional night," the Portuguese said. "When you work in Rome and live in Rome, you breathe Rome as Roma is the real club of this city. I felt from the day I signed, I knew it was a huge club.
"The history is not related to the social dimension of the club. We've managed to build an OK team that has beaten a Premier League team so I am feeling for the people and for the players. This for us is our Champions League.
"It's a victory of the family - not just players and coaches but the family that was in the stadium. This is our greatest merit - this empathy, sense of family.
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