Roma won their first major European title in more than 60 years as Nicolo Zaniolo’s first-half goal earned the Italians a 1-0 victory over Feyenoord in the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Albania.
The 22-year-old Zaniolo steered the ball home in the 32nd minute with a left-footed flick, after first taking it down on his chest, to make Roma inaugural winners of European football’s new third-tier club competition.
Roma, whose only previous continental title was the old Fairs Cup in 1961, held off a spirited comeback from their Dutch opponents, who were twice denied by the woodwork in the second-half, and ensured that Jose Mourinho became the first manager to win a European trophy with four different clubs.
The Roma managed help up five fingers at the full-time whistle, making sure everyone was fully aware of the five continental titles in his trophy cabinet.
Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio made vital saves and Chris Smalling was immense at the back as Feyenoord took the game to the Italians, enjoying much of the possession, but the Serie A side on the whole managed the final well.
