Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
All eyes will be on Air Albania Stadium when Feyenoord and Roma go head to head in the Europa Conference League final. The Giallorossi aim to save the season by going all the way in the new UEFA competition, but Wednesday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for Jose Mourinho’s troops. “The Special One” should have a full squad to choose from for the title game, and, as always, a man to watch in the Italian team will be former Chelsea attacker Tammy Abraham, who scored a brace in a 3-0 win over Torino at the weekend.
The Rotterdammers, on the other hand, set up a meeting with Roma by beating Olympique Marseille in the two-legged tie. Roma are a more experienced side than Feyenoord, which is probably the main reason why we are going to put our money on the Serie A outfit. Arne Slot can count on key players for the Conference League final as well.
Highlighted Player (Rui Patricio):
Sporting Lisbon and Portugal national team goalkeeper Rui Patricio is a one-club man. He was reportedly close to signing with Serie A giants Inter Milan during the 2008 of-season, but he remained in his club where he will most likely hang up his boots when the time comes. The 28-year-old shot stopper spent most of his career with the Lions making his debut with the first-team at only 18 years of age.
Rui Patricio went on to appear in more than 350 official games for the Portugal greats and remains the first-choice keeper for his club and country. Having gone through all the youth selections with the national team, Rui Patricio was given his first senior cap in 2010 after Paulo Bento’s appointment.
Rui Patricio represented his national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and three European Championships. The 28-year-old was the mainstay in Portugal’s historic Euro 2016 title in France.
Highlighted Team (Feyenoord):
Back in 1908 football club Wilhemina was founded in the pub De Vereeniging and they played their home games in blue-sleeved red shirts and white shorts. The club’s name was changed to Hillesluise in 1909 and soon they became RVV Celeritas.
Finally, in 1912 the club got a name SC Feijenoord. Feyenoord won their first Eredivisie trophy in 1924 and 75 years later they clinched their 14th domestic trophy, finishing the season 15 points clear of second-placed Willem II. De Trots van Zuid play their home games at De Kuip and the capacity of the venue is 51 117.
The club’s fiercest rivals are Ajax and the two teams face each other in der Klassieker. The likes of Craig Bellamy, Gerrard Fox, Wouter Bos and Raemon Sluiter are notable supporters of the club. It is well known that football legends Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Peter Houtman all played for Feyenoord in the past. De Trots van Zuid play their home games in red-white shirts and black shorts.