Amorim’s squad went through a difficult period in the first half of the season, going 7 matchdays without a win. Against all odds, they have marched into the Champions League final! In a league that is characteristically more competitive, the team has underperformed, failing to win their last eight matches and lost 18 games—the most since the 1973-74 season. On the big European stage, they’ve repeatedly proven to be surprisingly tough. They’ll take the stage in the final on Wednesday. They’ll have tough competition, though, inspired by their incredible last-minute comeback win over Olympique Lyonnais in the semi-finals.
In the league, the team’s struggles are glaring. Even worse, they’ve already lost 18 games. They are currently one shy of equalling the dismal tally from the 1973-74 campaign, when they went down after losing 20 matches. At just 40 years old, Amorim has reached an inflection point. He needs to get the best out of his players to do away with their home struggles and redirect that passion into conquering Europe.
A Thrilling Quarter-Final Comeback
During a decisive quarter-final clash against Olympique Lyonnais, Amorim’s team found themselves in a sticky situation. They stood on the edge of extinction, curving colors were sharp and vivid. With only a few minutes left to play, it looked as if their Champions League aspirations would go up in smoke. But Kobbie Mainoo and, emphatically, Harry Maguire had other plans.
Mainoo scored an important equalizer as the match went on to extra time. In dramatic fashion, Maguire hit a remarkable shot in the 121st minute, clinching their advancement to the final! The good fortune continued as the team’s late-game heroics clinched their bid to compete in the competition. These young leaders demonstrated amazing grit and grace under fire.
“We arrive at the final unbeaten, I think we should look at that as something really positive,” – Diogo Dalot
The team does celebrate this impressive unbeaten run as a sign of their development and ability to adjust. They can credit the experience of playing against different style teams from other countries as truly preparing them for any final.
Looking Ahead to the Final
And as they look forward to the final, Amorim is all smiles when asked about their prospects. Yet he recognizes the mental aspect—to have belief and confidence in his players. They’ve massively increased their presence and success in European competitions. That’s the goal now as Amorim is set to ride this momentum into his side’s biggest match yet.
“Of course, we have to believe. I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game,” – Amorim
He does a lot to raise awareness of what it’s like to compete at this level. His main emphasis has been on adjusting to the different playing styles across Europe. Both Amorim and Dalot agree that finding consistent results amidst these challenges is a positive takeaway from an otherwise tumultuous season.
“It’s always hard to play these competitions when you play so many teams from many different countries, completely different styles than we are used to in England. To find that consistent result, I think it’s something positive we can take from this season,” – Diogo Dalot
The Road Ahead
Amorim recognizes the need for improvement in the Premier League, admitting that the current squad may not be fully equipped to handle both domestic and European competitions effectively.
“If you look at this moment we are not ready to be really competitive in the Premier League and cope with Champions League. If you are in Champions League you have a different budget to put a better team for next season,” – Amorim
This admission further highlights the immediate need for change on the team as they enter into their offseason and look ahead to next season. For the moment, that’s all distant noise — all eyes, of course, on making history with a victory in the Champions League final.
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