Author – Amrit Santlani
Six-time Europa League winners Sevilla beat Juventus 2-1 in the second leg of their semi-final and remain on course to win a record seventh continental title. José Mourinho’s Roma, meanwhile, qualified for another final after drawing 0-0 with Bayer Leverkusen, but as they won the first leg 1-0, the Serie A side won on aggregate.
Sevilla and Juventus drew 1-1 in the previous game at the Allianz Stadium, and it was the Italian club who opened the scoring in the second leg through Dusan Vlahovic, but the La Liga side managed to turn the game around with goals from Suso and Erik Lamela, completing a remarkable comeback victory.
On the other hand, Edouardo Bove’s goal in the first leg was enough to qualify Roma, who held off Leverkusen after a typical masterclass from Mourinho.
Sevilla seek seventh Europa League title after 2-1 comeback win over Juventus
After an entertaining draw in the first leg, Sevilla welcomed Juventus to the Ramon Sachez Pizhuan, and the two teams played out an action-packed first half, with plenty of chances at both ends, but neither managing to open the scoring. Both Wojciech Szczęsny and Yassine Bounou had to make some remarkable saves to keep it 0-0 until half-time.
In the second half, Max Allegri’s side continued to press to open the scoring and their persistence paid off, as substitute Dusan Vlahovic scored the opener with his first touch of the ball, with a fine strike over Bono. Sevilla left-back Marcos Acuna was cautioned for a foul on Juan Cuadrado.
Juventus’ lead lasted just six minutes, when they were stunned by a fine goal from Suso. The former Milan player hit a shot from outside the area that gave Szczęsny no chance. The two teams remained level at 1-1 and the game went to extra time.
Just four minutes after the restart, the La Liga side took the lead with a point-blank header from Erik Lamela as the Juve defense slept. Acuna was then sent off for another yellow card for time-wasting, but Sevilla’s ten men held on to win 2-1 and reach yet another Europa League final.
Brazilian midfielder Fernando shone for Sevilla and played the full ninety minutes, while his compatriot Danilo also put in an impressive performance, but was unable to prevent his team’s defeat.
Roma drew 0-0 with Leverkusen, but won 1-0 on aggregate
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After leading the tie in the first leg, Mourinho’s side were expected to put in a masterful defensive display to keep Bayer Leverkusen at bay, and they did. Xabi Alonso’s side were at home and dominated the game, but failed to trouble Rui Patrício.
The Bundesliga side attempted an impressive 23 shots, only six of which were on target, but that wasn’t enough to break through. Meanwhile, Mourinho’s side only managed a single shot, which also failed to hit the target. Roma remained on the back foot and absorbed all the pressure, having only 28% of the possession during the ninety minutes.
Moussa Diaby hit the crossbar, but that was as close as the team came to opening the scoring. Roma will face Sevilla in the final in Budapest on May 31.
After the win, Mourinho praised his team’s performance.
“My concern is not to mark my place in the Roma history books,” he told Sky Sports. “It’s about helping these kids [jogadores] to grow up and achieve important things. It’s also about helping the Roma fans, who have given me so much since day one. It’s an immense joy to reach another final” said the 60-year-old.