The Portuguese coach has made club history between 2002 and 2004, clinching the Europa League and the Champions League titles, in addition to 5 national trophies.

Roma returns to Porto, a full 6 years since their last visit. The Dragao holds unpleasant memories for the ‘Giallorossi’: 2 defeats and a tie in the three confrontations on the Portuguese team’s home turf. Rome and Porto share a historic double ex: José Mourinho. The Special One has etched his mark in the club’s history from 2002 to 2004, clinching the Europa League and the Champions League, besides winning five national trophies. Tomorrow, he too will be present as a ‘guest’ for the match against Roma: within the stadium’s museum stands a statue depicting him. Below, a plaque shares his biography. Outside the stadium, there’s also a giant portrait of the Portuguese manager. At a distance of 276 kilometers from Do Dragao (specifically in Lisbon at the Junta de Freguesia), In Maria Major, there is also a mural that celebrates the Special One. The artwork, done by artist TvBoy, was completed in April 2023. Mourinho is depicted in the guise of a Roman Emperor, complete with the emblem of Roma in his right hand. Meanwhile, in Setubal – the city where José was born – there is a street named after him. Mou and the Yellow-Reds can only meet potentially in the quarterfinals, but everything will depend on the draw. Fenerbahce is set to play at home against Anderlecht tomorrow.

If Ranieri’s team were to win at Do Dragao, they would tie with Inter for victories in the history of Europe’s second-highest competition. In the case of two wins in the double challenge, they would stand first on their own.

The clash tomorrow evening between Porto and Roma isn’t simply the first leg of the Europa League playoffs, a competition of critical importance to the ‘Giallorossi’ even from a financial perspective, but it also presents an opportunity to reach a historic milestone. In the event of a triumph at the Do Dragao, indeed, Ranieri’s team would tie with Inter in the number of victories (96) in the Europa League. Currently, Roma, with 95 games won out of 182 played, holds second place in this unique ranking alongside Sporting Lisbon (which has, however, contested 203 matches). If, then, the “Giallorossi” were to win the return match (scheduled for Thursday, February 20th at the Olimpico), at that point Roma would stand alone in first place for victories in the Europa League and, of course, continue their seasonal journey in the second-tier European club competition.