In this season’s UEFA Europa League final, Sevilla faced off against Roma in a match packed with drama and tension. As reported by Cricket Exchange, the two sides ended regular time tied, and neither team managed to break the deadlock in extra time. With everything on the line, it came down to penalties. In the shootout, Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou delivered yet another heroic performance, saving two of Roma’s spot-kicks to lead Sevilla to victory. This marked Sevilla’s seventh appearance in a Europa League final—and their seventh championship title, maintaining a perfect record on Europe’s second-biggest stage.

On the other side, José Mourinho suffered his first defeat in a European final. After the match, he removed his silver medal and handed it to a young fan in the stands—an emotional moment captured by cameras. You only get to live the life you dream of by first walking the path you must. Mourinho and the Roma camp, however, were far from satisfied with the officiating. In the post-match press conference, Mourinho openly criticized referee Anthony Taylor, calling the game’s officiating “unjust” and pointing to a string of decisions that he claimed consistently went against his team.

He emphasized that while it’s acceptable to lose a match, it’s not acceptable to lose one’s dignity. His players, he stressed, gave their all on the field—loyal to the badge, humble in attitude, and tireless in effort. According to Cricket Exchange, emotions were raw after the final whistle. Some players wept, others stood in stunned silence, but all felt the sting of what they believed to be an unfair result. Despite that, it was undeniably a gripping contest, intense and hard-fought, with a Spanish referee at the center of attention.

One particular moment stood out: Erik Lamela, who many believed should have received a second yellow card, remained on the pitch and later took part in the decisive shootout. To Mourinho and his supporters, that summed up the perceived imbalance in officiating. Some roads you must walk alone—not out of loneliness, but as a matter of choice.

Speaking on his future, Mourinho told Cricket Exchange he has not received offers from other clubs. For now, he plans to take a break and go on vacation. He expressed a strong desire to stay at Roma, but made it clear that it depends on whether the club can offer the right conditions for him to continue building on his project.