Europa League: Mourinho Boldly Claims ‘History Doesn’t Play’ Ahead of Showdown with Sevilla

• Jose Mourinho has downplayed Sevilla’s recent success in the Europa League ahead of the final
• The most successful team in the competition's history will come up against AS Roma on May 31
• Both sides need to win the competition to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season

AS Roma boss, Jose Mourinho boldly claimed 'history doesn’t play' when asked about the fear factor Sevilla could possess as the most successful club in Europa League history.

The Italian giants can finish no higher than fifth in the Serie A this term, meaning they need to win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

Mourinho’s side come up against the six-time Europa League winners just 12 months after winning the inaugural Europa Conference League.

In response to Sevilla coach, Jose Luis Mendilibar's claim the Spanish side are favourites, Mourinho said, per the BBC:

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"History does not play. My colleague thinks otherwise, I have respect for him. We are in the final because we deserved to be, they have a history that we do not have. For them to play the final is a normal thing, for us it is an extraordinary event."

The final, which will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, appears to have higher stakes for Sevilla, who finished 11th in the Spanish La Liga this season.

Mourinho’s side still have hopes for Europa League football based on their position in their domestic league.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of the final as it involves two sides both having enough reasons to win it.

For Roma, they are under the guidance of a manger who does not seem to know how to lose in a cup final, while Sevilla are serial winners in the competition, having won it in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020.

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Mourinho bans staff from training

Sports Brief also reported on Mourinho banning AS Roma staff from team training ahead of this season's Europa League final.

Ahead of the game, the Special One would only permit certain personnel from accessing the club's training ground in Rome.

Corriere dello Sport reports only technical and medical staff were allowed to watch as the team was put through their paces.