Italian football clings to Rome. The team coached by Jose Mourinho overwhelms the Norwegians of Bodo / Glimt at the Olimpico, avenging in one fell swoop the fool of the group stage and the defeat of the first leg. The absolute protagonist of the 4-0 final was a great Zaniolo, author of a fantastic hat-trick. Abraham is usually the goal that opened the scoring, for the English striker there are 8 goals in the competition and 24 in all competitions. Like him in the modern era only Dzeko and Totti. All easy for Roma, who in front of Totti by now always present in the stands, closes the case in less than half an hour and then checks in fluency. The road to the final in Tirana will see the Giallorossi face the fearsome English Leicester, capable of conquering the Psv Eindhoven field: going to the King Power Stadium on April 28, return to the Olimpico on May 5. In the Giallorossi ranks, Mourinho fielded a 3-5-2 with Mancini, Smalling and Ibañez in defense in front of Rui Patricio; Karsdorp on the right, Cristante, Mkhitaryan and Pellegrini in the median, Zalewski on the left; in attack Zaniolo plays alongside Abraham. In the ranks of Bodo, lined up with a classic 4-3-3, the Solbakken striker is worth keeping an eye on.
Olympic dressed up like on big occasions, an extra boost for Mourinho’s team. Ready to go and after just 5 ‘Roma pass: on a short corner, Zaniolo’s cross for Cristante, the goalkeeper Haikin rejects on Abraham’s feet who bags into an empty net. Dragged by his fans, Mourinho’s team continues to attack and touches doubling first with Mkhitaryan and then with the usual Abraham. Then Zaniolo takes the chair, who scores twice in six minutes and actually puts the qualification in the safe. On 23 ‘the Giallorossi jewel scores the easiest of goals on Pellegrini’s assist, on 29’ he signs his personal brace with a delicious touch underneath to override the goalkeeper on Zalewski’s assist in depth. Bodo’s defense literally falls apart, Abraham spoils at least a couple of other opportunities for his brace. In the second half, Roma restarts with decision and after three minutes the poker drops again with the unleashed Zaniolo in the 48th minute.
The Giallorossi striker is caught beyond the enemy lines by an excellent throw by Cristante, head control and deadly left at the intersection after an irresistible progression. Half an hour from the end, Mourinho gives Zaniolo a well-deserved standing ovation, and Felix enters his place. Put the result on ice, Rome controls without too much difficulty trying from time to time to offend to try to further enrich the booty. The Norwegians resist, avoid an even more mortifying passive, but are forced to say goodbye to the competition for good. In the end a bit of apprehension at the Giallorossi when Abraham leaves the field a bit tired due to a contracture, probably linked only to fatigue. Also for the English bomber the Olimpico pays a standing ovation.