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FootballJose Mourinho Bans AS Roma Staff From Training Ahead of Europa League Final vs Sevilla
- Jose Mourinho has banned AS Roma staff from taking part in team training sessions
- Mourinho will lead his charges to a second successive European final in as many years
- They will face decent opposition in Sevilla who are serial winners of the competition
Jose Mourinho has adopted a stringent measure as he prepares to win his sixth European final on May 31.
Mourinho will lead his AS Roma charges against Sevilla at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Wednesday night, with the Europa League trophy on the line.
It will be an interesting spectacle given the Special One has never lost a European final while their opponents have never lost any Europa League final - meaning whichever way you look at it, history will be made tonight.
Ahead of the game, Mourinho reportedly banned Roma staff from accessing the club's training ground in Rome.
Corriere dello Sport reports that only technical and medical staff were allowed to watch as the Portuguese manager put the team through their final paces.
The Mirror adds that Mourinho adopted a similar tactic last year before the Europa Conference League final against Feyenoord, which he won.
The Giallorossi reached the final after seeing off Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals, while Sevilla dispatched Juventus.
The Europa League offers both teams the only chance they have of qualifying for next season's Champions League, given their poor standing in their respective leagues.
Roma are on a winless run of seven games in Serie A and are in sixth place, while Sevilla are 11th in La Liga after an extremely poor start to the season.
Mourinho downplays Sevilla fear
Sports Brief has also reported that Mourinho boldly claimed 'history doesn’t play' when he was asked about the fear factor for Sevilla as the most successful club in Europa League history.
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FootballThe Italian giants can finish no higher than fifth in the Serie A this season, meaning they will need to succeed in the Europa League if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Mourinho’s side come up against the six-time Europa League winners just 12 months after winning the inaugural Europa Conference League, so the stakes are high for both sides.