2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League Final: AS Roma vs Feyenoord

AS Roma meet Feyenoord in the inaugural Final of 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League at Arena Kombetare, Tirana, Albania. 

AS Roma enter this match chasing a third European title and first major continental honour in 50 years since winning Angelo-Italian Cup in 1972.

Feyenoord meanwhile are chasing their fourth overall European title and first in 20 years since winning 2001-02 UEFA Cup.

 

Team News

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Nicolo Zaniolo could return for AS Roma after recovering from a muscle injury, which limited him to a substitute appearance at Torino in Serie A on Friday evening.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (hamstring) is unlikely to feature unless he passes a late fitness test,

Feyenoord will welcome Justin Bijlow back in goal after he spent the last two months sidelined through injury.

 

Stat Attack

• AS Roma are unbeaten in two previous European meetings against Feyenoord (W1, D1), which saw the Italian team win 3-2 on aggregate in 2014-15 Europa League Round of 32.
• Feyenoord drew their only previous ‘away’ clash against Roma in February 2015, as they held the Italian club to a 1-1 draw which led to their exit from the competition on aggregate.
• Both teams have scored in each of their two previous meetings, with Roma netting three goals to Feyenoord’s two goals.
• No player has attempted more shots on target in total than AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, who has converted 14 of his 32 shots onto target.
• No player has scored more goals in the Europa Conference League this season than Cyriel Dessers, who has netted 10 goals in 12 matches.

 

Prediction

Having struck early on the break in both legs of their semi-final tie against Leicester, Roma certainly seem to be a quick-starting team but they do seem to lack creative ideas in the central third which could become an issue if Feyenoord can frustrate them and score first at Roma’s end.

Feyenoord meanwhile have been a high-scoring team throughout the knockout stages with at least three goals in five of their six knockout matches, so I am expecting them to come here fighting but their defence can lack speed despite their overall defensive ability hence just one clean sheet.

This is a Grand Final though so nerves could well play a part but Roma boasts a top-quality manager in Jose Mourinho, who will know all about both sides of glory and heartache in finals which should motivate Roma if they nail their tactics.

Feyenoord though know that they possess the attacking quality to trouble Roma but if their defence aren’t reactive enough to quick passing moves, it could very well be the difference between victory and defeat so I expect a close battle but Roma’s quality might just be the difference.

Prediction: AS Roma 2-1 (AET) Feyenoord

Result: AS Roma 1-0 Feyenoord (AS Roma are 2021-22 UEFA Europa Conference League Champions!!)