Europa League

Feyenoord’s Arne Slot bitter after Roma defeat: “I don’t like losing to the same team.”

Andy Mattioli
Feyenoord's Dutch coach Arne Slot reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 play-off football match between AS Roma and Feyenoord at the Olympic stadium in Rome on February 22, 2024. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP) (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot discussed his side’s loss to Roma on penalties in the second leg of the Europa League playoffs.

In his post-match press conference, Slot expressed his disappointment at the way his team lost to the same opponent for the third consecutive year.

“I don’t like losing, and even less when it’s always at the hands of the same team. We played a positive match, 1-1 was a good result in this stadium.”

“Was this more painful the Conference League final defeat? Perhaps it can seem like it because it’s a penalty shootout, but a final hurts more. We were close to qualifying, it’s true, but it’s not the same as a final.”

“We must recognize the merits of our opponent, and more specifically, Pellegrini who is a great player who scored a wonderful goal.”

“Roma have great players, the one who made the difference was Pellegrini. I’m proud to drop out at the hands of Roma because in the past we used to lose to the smaller teams. If you have to be eliminated, it better happen against a great team, who have made two finals in two years. If last year Dybala made the difference, this year Pellegrini is their difference-maker.”

Match Center

MatchDay 24
9 Feb 12:30
Venezia
VEN
Roma