Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Kerem Demirbay has blasted Roma manager, Jose Mourinho for the tactics he deployed in his side’s UEFA Europa League semi-final win over the German team.
The Giallorossi advanced to the final of the Europa League thanks to their 1-o win at the Stadio Olimpico. Although the second leg against Leverkusen in Germany ended goal-less, it was enough for Mourinho and his men to book their ticket to Hungary.
The Romans defended with their bodies on the line. While sitting deep within their own half to withstand the hosts’ constant goal-scoring attempts. With a one goal advantage, Roma needed to keep them to a deadlocked draw in the return leg of the Europa League semi-final to go to the final.
In actuality, Xabi Alonso’s team made 23 attempts. But they were unable to get past Rui Patricio in goal. Roma, on the other hand, didn’t manage to generate a single shot on target and instead used time-wasting strategies to run-down the game.
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According to Goal, Demirbay expressed anger with Mourinho in a post-match interview with RTL after becoming visibly frustrated with Roma’s tactics.
He said: “It’s a shame that in a semi-final at such a high level that this type of play can be rewarded. They made things very ugly at the end.”
The final will be the 60-year-old’s sixth European competition final in his illustrious career in the dug-out. He has a 100 percent record in all. But he faces a stern test ahead as his side will be up against Sevilla who also have won all Europa League finals they have played in.
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