Eternal Seville! This Wednesday evening, the Andalusians did not lose their magic in the Europa League. Six times winner of the competition before the final (2006, 220, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020), a record, the Sevillian club broke out at the end of the suspense to snatch the 7th European crown at the Ferenc-Puskas Stadium. in Budapest against Roma. Eliminating Manchester United in the quarter-finals and then Turin’s Juventus in the semi-finals, the Andalusian side got the better of the Italians at the end of the limbo when the score was 1–1 at the end of normal time.
However, the latter had a major asset in their pocket, their technician José Mourinho. The Portuguese coach has also been a magician on the European stage for 20 years. “Special” won all European cups without losing a single final: two Champions Leagues with Porto (2004), then Inter (2010), two Europa Leagues on the bench for Porto (2003 ) and Manchester United (2017) and the latest addition to European competition, the Europa League Conference won last year with Roma. But that invincibility came to a halt in front of the No. 11 in La Liga, which is a completely transformed team when it enters the European arena.
However, the Romans start this final better by dominating the Sevillians. Spinazzola’s shot alone from the penalty spot was saved by Bio Buno (12th). Dominating, Mourinho’s wards were rewarded after half an hour of the game: Mancini returned the ball in front of Rakitic and immediately launched Dybala on the left flank. The Argentine national team player deceives Buna with a left side kick that flies into the opposite side’s net (0-1, 35th). Sevilla reacted with their Croatian midfielder Rakitic, whose shot hit the left post of Rui Patricio in stoppage time of the first act. Returning from the locker room, the Spaniards find fault … Thanks to Roman! Navas crosses over to Ocampos, who doesn’t have time to recover in front of the net. The ball falls on Mancini’s right knee, who kicks his goalkeeper on the wrong foot (1-1, 55th).
The meeting becomes bitter. The two teams go blow after blow. Moroccan goaltender Bunu does wonders on his line on rebounds from Abraham (66th) and then Belotti (85th). It was then that his Portuguese counterpart repulsed Suso’s last attempt at the last minute. The two teams, exhausted from their efforts, struggled to get chances in extra time. Smalling’s header hits the crossbar for Bone in the 131st minute.
The final, which started in May, ended on June 1 at 00:03 with the victory of Sevilla in a penalty shootout (4:1). The hero is Yassin Bunu with his two saves from the apparently cursed Mancini and Ibanez. “It’s great, it’s my first trophy after a difficult season,” said Sevillian defender Loic Bade into a Canal+ microphone. It was a crazy game, but we didn’t give up. This win is great! This Europa League success comes with a ticket to the next Champions League and a top hat spot when the draw takes place. Royal!
Source: Le Parisien
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