Mourinho Reveals Roma’s Motivation to Reach Europa League Final Ahead of Leverkusen Game

• AS Roma have an advantage over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-final
• Youngster Eduardo Bove scored his first European goal to help Roma to a first-leg win
• Mourinho has opened up on the team’s inspiration ahead of the second-leg tie tonight

Jose Mourinho has opened up on his team’s motivation ahead of their UEFA Europa League semi-final second-leg encounter against Bayer Leverkusen tonight.

A depleted AS Roma side won 1-0 in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico, thanks to youngster, Eduardo Bove’s first European goal.

Roma are battling injuries to many first-team stars, and the Special One has had to rely on youngsters and inspirational team talks to get his side to this level.

According to The Telegraph, the former Chelsea boss helped the Giallorossi to their first European trophy in 61 years with the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, and could help them reach their second European final tonight.

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Mourinho reveals motivation against Leverkusen

The 60-year-old is a two-time Europa League winner with Porto and Manchester United, and admitted that if Roma reach the final and win, it would not be for him but for the players and fans.

“I want the final not so much for me, because I’m a different person; I think more about others. I want it for the fans and the boys,” Mourinho said, as quoted by Roma Press.

The veteran tactician also hailed the Roma fans as extraordinary, as well as his players.

“...[The players] are an incredible group who are doing a season where they are giving everything; there have been so many moments of difficulty, but the people have allowed us to overcome them.”

Mourinho also confirmed that injured stars Paulo Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy, and Chris Smalling are all available for the game - a massive boost for the team.

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Even though he did not say it, another motivation for his team to win the Europa League is to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Roma are currently sixth on the Italian top flight log, six points behind fourth-placed Lazio, with three games left in the season; their top-four chances are out of their hands.

As Sports Brief reported, Mourinho admitted Roma’s season struggles after the draw against Bologna, claiming his team lacked the potential to compete on many fronts.