Cyriel Dessers played for the duration of the game as Feyenoord lost 1-0 to a resolute Roma side in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League final on Wednesday night in Tirana. The Dutch club fell behind in the first half but could not find a way back into the game.
Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo chested down a lofted pass from Gianluca Mancini and beat goalkeeper Feyenoord Justin Bijlow with a beautiful flick to score the match’s lone goal in the 32nd minute.
Feyenoord came close to finding an equalizer in the second period but met an inspired Rui Patrício behind the sticks who made some big saves to preserve Roma’s lead.
Dessers had a night to forget. He appeared to be on his way to scoring late in the second half but Roma’s Roger Ibanez saved the day for the Italian side with a perfectly timed tackle to deny him.
The one-time Nigerian international was often isolated. He managed 28 touches in the entire ninety minutes while also making three key passes which was the most in the match. Feyenoord’s search for a first European cup competition title since 2002 goes on.
Nevertheless, Dessers ended the tournament as the highest goalscorer with 10 goals, one more than Roma’s Tammy Abraham. The Genk loanee netted four times in the group stages. He added six more in the knock-outs including deciders against Slavia Prague and Marseille in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
