21, August 2020.
It's Friday. At 19:00 GMT, Europa League specialists Sevilla take on Italy's Inter Milan in the Europa League final, where both clubs will be hoping to smell victory in Cologne.
Semifinals. Sevilla came from behind to dump Manchester united out of the Europa League, 24 hours later, Inter Milan defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 5 - 0 to enter the final.
Sevilla are the most successful team in the history of the competition, winning all five of their UEFA Cup or Europa League finals.
Inter Milan are one of four sides who have lifted the trophy on three occasions and will become the second most successful side in tournament's history if they win.
The Europa League
As European football’s second club competition, the Europa League brings an exciting mix of former footballing powerhouses chasing their glory days, small sides who’ve finished strongly in their domestic league, and continental giants which have crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage for a shot at European glory
The 2019–20 UEFA Europa League is the 49th season of Europe's secondary club tournament organised by UEFA, and the 11th season since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup to the UEFA Europa League.
Team News
Sevilla
Sevilla are the third-top scorers in the competition this season with 20 goals to their name and only Manchester United have had more shots on target than the Spanish outfit.
Domestic League position: 4th
Last five games (most recent first): WWWWD
Road to final:
Group: Groups A winners
Round of 32: 1 - 1 CFR Cluj (qualified on away goals)
Round of 16: 2 - 0 Roma
Quarter final: 1 : 0 Wolves
Semifinal: 2 - 1 Manchester United
Last season: Exit at round of 16 (vs Slavia Praha)
Record at Final: P5 W5 L0 They have won all five of their previous finals.
Cup Winners: 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, and 2016
Lucas Ocampos is a doubt for this encounter as he went off injured in Sevilla’s victory over Manchester United. He is expected to recover, but may only be fit enough for the bench.
Doubtful: Ocampos (unspecified)
Sevilla are 20 games unbeaten in all competitions, winning eight of their last nine, and have hit form at just the right time. They were impressive in seeing off in-form Roma and displayed patience and resolve to beat Wolves and then Manchester United. Their experience in this competition gives them an extra edge; they know how to get the job done.
By Joe Walker, Sevilla reporter
Inter Milan
The match is Inter Milan's fifth final, and their first since the rebranding to Europa League.
No side has a better goals-per-game average in the Europa League this season than Inter, who have netted 13 times in five matches.
Domestic League Position: 2nd
Last five games: WWWWW
Road to final:
Group stage
Round of 32: 4 - 1 Ludogorets
Round of 16: 2 - 0 Getafe
Quarterfinal: 2 - 1 Bayern Leverkusen
Semifinal: 5 - 0 Shakhtar
Record at finals: P4 W3 L1
Cup Winners: 1991, 1994 and 1998
Conte seems to have found the magic formula and will likely confirm the same team which reached the final with a series of fine performances. Having hit 54 goals together this season, the 'Lu-La' attacking duo is in fantastic form – both Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez struck twice in the semi-final. Martínez will turn 23 the day after the final. Could he dream of any better gift than the UEFA Europa League trophy?
By Paolo Menicucci, Inter reporter
Alexis Sanchez will likely be amongst the substitutes as he continues to recover from a thigh injury, but Matias Vecino will miss out.
Out: Vecino (knee)
Doubtful: Sánchez (thigh)
Possible Lineups
Sevilla: (4-3-3) Bounou; Navas, Koundé, Diego Carlos, Reguilón; Banega, Fernando, Jordán; Suso, En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Inter Milan: (3-4-2) Handanovič; Godín, De Vrij, Bastoni; D’Ambrosio, Barella, Brozović, Gagliardini, Young; Martínez, Lukaku
Manager: Antonio Conte
Previous Meeting (head to head)
Both teams have never met in any UEFA competition. But they have met oppositions from each others league.
Sevilla against Italian opponent
Played: 13
W6 D2 L5
Inter against Spanish opponents
Played: 43
W14 D11 L18
Match Stats
This is the first European meeting between Sevilla and Inter Milan
Inter have reached their 10th major European final (the ninth team to achieve that) and their first since the 2010 Champions League final, when they won 2-0 against Bayern Munich.
Only Liverpool (six between 1973 and 1984) and Real Madrid (all nine since 1985) have won more consecutive European finals than Sevilla's five.
Inter have won all five of their Europa League matches this season and are looking to win six major European matches in a row for only the second time (six between December 2009 and April 2010).
Sevilla have never lost a one-off knockout match in Uefa Cup/Europa League history (P8 W6 D2 - winning the two draws on penalties).
Antonio Conte and Julen Lopetegui are both managing in their first major European final.
Source: BBC Sports
Tips and predictions
The Europa League final tends to be an open affair, with four of the last five all seeing three goals or more.
With this in mind, my predictions are:
Both teams to score
Romelu Lukaku to score anytime.
Correct score: Sevilla 1 - 2 Inter
Giveaway - Predict and win
My little giveaway to fellow soccer fans. Many will probably miss this giveaway offer - because they will not read to the end.
Prize: Every winners get $1 worth of BCH.
Task:
Who will win the Europa league final
Who will be the Man of the Match in tonight's Europa Cup final?
Rule
Mention the team that will win the cup as well as the Man of the Match.
Give reason for your prediction
You win the prize if you get both predictions right.
Note: Entries submitted after kickoff are invalid.
eave your prediction in the comment section of this post.
Both teams are very capable in the final third and with the Champions League qualification already assured for both teams, the pressure is off and that will hopefully lead to an open Europa League final showpiece.
The winner of this fascinating encounter will contest the UEFA Super Cup against the winner of the UEFA Champions League final (PSG or Bayern) in Budapest on 24 September.
Who will win the Europa League final?
Game on.