AS ROMA:FANS SINGLE OUT LATE MANCHESTER UNITED DEFENDER SOLUTION TO JOSE MOURINHO’S VICTORY

Football fans on social media singled out Chris Smalling as the stand-out performer in the Europa Conference League final

Chris Smalling earned plaudits on Wednesday, May 25 after putting up a masterclass for AS Roma in the Europa Conference League final.

The former Manchester United man was praised by fans online for his performance against Feyenoord as Roma clinched the inaugural third-tier European competition.

Smalling, whose career has been crippled by injuries at times, was vital in coming up with crucial blocks and leadership throughout the game as he helped Roma diffuse attacks from Feyenoord in the second half in Tirana.

Interestingly, this was the second European trophy Smalling has won with Jose Mourinho, after clinching the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017.

The 32-year old’s performances did not go unnoticed online, with fans taking to Twitter to heap praise on the veteran defender.

“Chris Smalling take a bow son.” One fan said. “Smalling was absolutely fantastic for Roma tonight.

What a performance,” another added. “My man of the match is smalling. What a game,” said another.

It should be mentioned that Roma won the Europa Conference League in typical Jose Mourinho fashion as a single goal from Nicolo Zaniolo in the first half was enough to clinch victory.

Mourinho was the first to admit his side had a ‘difficult’ game. ‘Winning is very difficult. You need many ingredients,’ the Portuguese said after the game as quoted by Daily Mail.

‘Our team has played 55 games. We reached the final being tired, but we worked on it, kept it hidden. This is a fantastic group of players, that makes me emotional.

‘We struggled in the second half, our opponents played well and they forced us to make defensive changes. Congratulations to Feyenoord.’