By Matthew Foley
This year is the inaugural season of Europe’s newest competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League. Since it’s been announced there have been many questions on whether the competition was needed or if there would even be an audience interested in the tournament.
So what are the main aims for the tournament? UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: "The new UEFA club competition makes UEFA's club competitions more inclusive than ever before. There will be more matches for more clubs, with more associations represented in the group stages."
With the promise of more club inclusion and high quality matches, last week I decided to see if the competition lives up to these aims. Myself and fellow reporter Noah Stokes-Waters flew out to the Italian capital to watch José Mourinho’s AS Roma side take on Ukrainian team FC Zorya Luhansk.
We decided to rate the overall experience on four separate points, each being marked out of five.
Atmosphere;
Match quality;
Half-time food; and
Value for money
Atmosphere
In Italy, stadiums are allowed to have 75% capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This did not stop the immense atmosphere inside the Stadio Olimpico last week. Roma fans were in the stadium one hour before kick-off singing and chanting for their team. As kick-off loomed closer, more and more fans arrived at the stadium as the noise levels began to rise.
A special moment was just as the game was about to kick off, the stadium began to sing the club's famous anthem “Roma Roma” which was spine-tingling. Loud, passionate and inspiring fans who are the definition of the “12th man”.
A special shout out to the dedicated Zorya Luhansk fans who made the 3000 K/M journey to support their side. They were in great spirits and didn’t stop chanting for their side all game.
There was absolutely no fault with the atmosphere at this match, especially considering it was on a Thursday night in torrential rain. Both sets of fans sang their hearts out and made sure their teams knew they had strong support behind them.
Atmosphere 5 / 5
Match Quality
The game itself ended 4-0 to AS Roma, who secured their place in the next round of the competition. Despite the score-line, both teams played great football and chances were created at both ends of the pitch.
Roma were organised in defence and used great patterns of play in order to unlock the Zorya defence. The Italian side were also clinical in front of goal, Nicolò Zaniolos fine finish in the first-half being my personal favourite.
Zorya had chances of their own but strong goalkeeping from Rui Patrício kept the Ukrainian’s at bay.
The highlight of the game for the away side was goalkeeper Dmytro Matsapura saving Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout’s first-half penalty.
Overall the quality of the match was great and competitive. We saw a high quality of chances and passing play from each side which led to a great viewing experience for the spectators.
Match Quality 4 / 5
Half-time Food
The half-time food was the only major let down of the experience. I got a beer and a hot-dog which cost £5 each. The photos below sum up the quality really.
Half-time food 2 / 5
Value for Money
Overall, the trip was great value for money. With the match-day tickets only £14, Hotel £30 and flights £9. Transport to the match was easy and cheap due to Rome’s outstanding Metro system.
Navigating around the city was simple due to cheap bus fares, we could also visit nearly all the famous landmarks of Rome for free.
Value for money 5 / 5
Overall
Overall, the Europa Conference League experience was very good. Being able to witness a high quality game in an iconic city and stadium for such a low price is an opportunity that is too good to miss out on.
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