Europa League

Europa League masters Sevilla win no. 7, taking down Mourinho’s Roma

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Sevilla kept their perfect Europa League final record alive, as they made it seven trophies in seven tries with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Jose Mourinho’s Roma in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday.

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It also makes five Europa League titles in 10 seasons for Sevilla, who have no won Europe’s “other” competition more than twice as many times as any other club (Liverpool, Inter Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have all won it three times each). Despite the fact they will finish mid-table in La Liga this season, Sevilla also qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

On the other side, for the first time in his legendary career Jose Mourinho has beaten in a UEFA final, having won two Champions League, a Europa League and a Europa Conference League trophy in his previous four final appearances.

After the sides combined for just two shots in the opening half-hour, Gianluca Mancini and Paulo Dybala provided a brief moment of quality and counter-attacking brilliance in the 35th minute. Bryan Cristante bodied Ivan Rakitic off the ball, which fell to Mancini, who played an immediate through ball that split the right side of Sevilla’s defense and sent Dybala in on goal. Dybala smashed a left-footed strike past Moroccan World Cup hero Yassine Bounou to put Roma on top.

Roma looked to defend their lead as the second half began, without a shot attempted from minute 36 to minute 67. Sevilla ramped up the attacking pressure (with loads of crosses) and forced a critical error 10 minutes after the restart. Jesus Navas delivered a delicious ball to the top of the six-yard box, and though Mancini positioned himself right side of Youssef En-Nesyri to make the clearance, the ball instead came off his knee and bulged the back of his own net.

12 minutes later, Bounou played the part of hero-in-goal yet again as Tammy Abraham looked certain to put Roma back in front with a slight touch on a bouncing ball inside the six. Only, Bounou put his body and being on the line to block Abaraham’s shot and send red and white shirts alike into a mad scramble before the ball was eventually cleared.

Penalty claims from both sides were denied as the second half went on, with Sevilla initially being awarded the penalty kick after Lucas Ocampos went down in the box, only to have it taken away by video review; Roma were denied initially and again on review after Fernando blocked a cross with his arm.

After extra-time stretched from 120 to 131 minutes, penalty kicks would decide the 2022-23 Europa League winners. Sevilla came out on top after Mancini and Roger Ibanez were denied, setting the stage for Gonzalo Montiel to seal the deal for Sevilla, just as he did for Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.


Stars of the show

Europa League final, Sevilla vs Roma
Photo: FotMob.com

Europa League final, Sevilla vs Roma, final score: 1-1 (4-1 PKs)

35th minute – Paulo Dybala darts in behind and finishes expertly to put Roma 1-0 ahead

55th minute – Gianluca Mancini redirects cross into his own goal, makes it 1-1


How to watch Europa League final – Sevilla vs Roma live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 10 am ET, Saturday
Stream: Paramount+

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Key storylines & star players

For Roma, it was another subpar Serie A campaign this season, as they failed to qualify for the Champions League for a fourth straight season. However, a victory in Budapest would send them back to UEFA’s premier competition for the first time since 2018-19. Typical to form for Mourinho, as they allowed precious few goals (37 in 37 league games) while struggling to score enough (48) to push higher up the table. Paulo Dybala leads the way with 11 Serie A goals (plus four more in the Europa League, joint-most alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini’s four) and former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham chipping eight (and one) of his own.

Speaking of disappointing domestic campaigns, Sevilla sit 11th in La Liga with one game left to play (they can climb as high as 7th on the final day). Three different managers have guided Sevilla this season, with Julen Lopetegui lasting until early October before his successor, Jorge Sampaoli, was also dismissed in March. Also not unlike Roma, it’s been a struggle for Sevilla to score goals (46) as well as preventing goals (52), which is very much out of character for them.


Sevilla’s Europa League journey

Champions League group stage: finished 3rd (5 of 18 points), behind Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund

Europa League knockouts: def. PSV Eindhoven 3-2; def. Fenerbahce 2-1; def. Manchester United 5-2; def. Juventus 3-2 (AET)

Roma’s Europa League journey

Europa League group stage: finished 2nd (10 of 18 points), behind Real Betis

Europa League knockouts: def. Red Bull Salzburg 2-1; def. Real Sociedad 2-0; def. Feyenoord 4-2 (AET); def. Bayer Leverkusen 1-0

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Europa League, Conference League: West Ham United dreams of European glory

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West Ham United are the sole Premier League representatives left in either the UEFA Europa League or UEFA Europa Conference League, and David Moyes’ men are a win from lifting a trophy

West Ham came back to beat AZ Alkmaar in London, and then blanked AZ in the Netherlands to claim a spot opposite Fiorentina in June’s final.

[ LIVE: Europa League scores ]

Over in the Europa League, Jose Mourinho is looking to add to his Roman lure when he brings ECNL champs Roma into the final against tournament-tested Sevilla.

The final of the Europa League will be played in Budapest on May 31, while the Conference League final will be in Prague on June 7.

[ LIVE: Conference League scores ]

Below are details on the Europa League and Conference League, including how to watch info, the playoff draw, dates and schedule.


UEFA Europa League, Conference League, schedule, dates, how to watch

Online: Live updates for Europa League via NBCSports.com
Online: Live updates for Conference League via NBCSports.com
How to watch: TUDN, Paramount+


UEFA Europa League Final schedule

Europa League Final

Sevilla vs AS Roma – 3pm ET Wednesday May 31


UEFA Europa League semifinal schedule

Semifinals

First legs: Thursday, May 11

Juventus 1-1 Sevilla
Roma 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen

Second legs: Thursday, May 18

Sevilla 2-1 (3-2 agg) Juventus
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 (0-1 agg) Roma

UEFA Europa League semifinal predictions – By Joe Prince-Wright

First legs: Thursday, May 11

Juventus 2-1 Sevilla
Roma 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen


UEFA Europa Conference League Final schedule

Europa Conference League Final

Fiorentina vs West Ham United – 3pm ET June 7


UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal schedule

Semifinals

First legs: Thursday, May 11

Fiorentina 1-2 Basel
West Ham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar – Recap, player ratings, video highlights

Second legs: Thursday, May 18

AZ Alkmaar 0-1 (1-3 agg) West Ham – Recap, player ratings, video highlights
Basel 1-3 (3-4 agg) Fiorentina

UEFA Europa Conference League semifinal predictions – By Joe Prince-Wright

First legs: Thursday, May 11

Fiorentina 2-1 Basel
West Ham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar


UEFA Europa League quarterfinal schedule, results

Quarterfinal first legs – Thursday, April 13

Feyenoord 1-0 Roma
Manchester United 2-2 Sevilla — Recap, player ratings, video highlights
Juventus 1-0 Sporting CP
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Union St. Gilloise

Quarterfinal second legs – Thursday, April 20

Roma 2-1 (2-2 agg) Feyenoord — in extra time
Sevilla 3-0 (5-2 agg) Manchester United — Recap, player ratings, video highlights
Sporting CP 1-1 (2-1 agg) Juventus
Union St. Gilloise 1-4 (2-5 agg) Bayer Leverkusen


UEFA Europa League last 16 schedule, results

Round of 16 second legs – Thursday, March 15

Freiburg 0-2 (0-3 agg.) Juventus
Feyenoord 7-1 (8-2 agg.) Shakhtar Donetsk
Fenerbahce 1-0 (1-2 agg.) Sevilla
Real Betis 0-1 (1-5 agg.) Manchester United – Recap/player ratings/video highlights

Real Sociedad 0-0 (0-2 agg.) AS Roma
Ferencvaros 0-2 (0-4 agg.) Bayer Leverkusen
Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 (6-3 agg.) Union Berlin
Arsenal 1-1 (3-3 aet) Sporting Lisbon — Sporting wins in pens — Recap/player ratings/video highlights

Round of 16 first legs – Thursday, March 9

AS Roma 2-0 Real Sociedad
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Ferencvaros
Sporting Lisbon 2-2 Arsenal – Recap/player ratings/video highlights
Union Berlin 3-3 Union Saint-Gilloise

Juventus 1-0 Freiburg
Manchester United 4-1 Real Betis – Recap/player ratings/video highlights
Sevilla 2-0 Fenerbahce
Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Feyenoord


UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal schedule, results

Quarterfinal first legs – Thursday, April 13

Gent 1-1 West Ham
Basel 2-2 Nice
Lech Poznan 1-4 Fiorentina
Anderlecht 2-0 AZ Alkmaar

Quarterfinal second legs – Thursday, April 20

Fiorentina 2-3 (6-4 agg) Lech Poznan
AZ Alkmaar 2-0 (2-2 agg, 4-1 pens) Anderlecht
West Ham 4-1 (5-2 agg) Gent
Nice 1-2 aet (3-4 agg) Basel


UEFA Europa Conference League last 16 schedule

Round of 16 first legs – Thursday, March 16

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-4 Gent (2-5 agg) — Wednesday, March 15*

Slovan Bratislava 2-2 (5-5 agg.) Basel — Basel wins 4-1 in penalties
Djurgarden 0-3 (0-5 agg.) Lech Poznan
Sivasspor 1-4 (1-5 agg.) Fiorentina

AZ Alkmaar 2-1 (4-2 agg.) Porto
West Ham 4-0 (6-0 agg.)  AEK Larnaca
Villarreal 0-1 (1-2 agg.) Anderlecht
Nice 3-1 (4-1 agg.) Sheriff Tiraspol

Round of 16 first legs – Thursday, March 9

Lazio 1-2 AZ Alkmaar (played Tuesday, March 7 due to Lazio and Roma sharing stadium)

AEK Larnaca 0-2 West Ham United
Anderlecht 1-1 Villarreal
Sheriff Tiraspol 0-1 Nice

Basel 2-2 Slovan Bratislava
Fiorentina 1-0 Sivasspor
Gent 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
Lech Poznan 2-0 Djurgardens


Erik ten Hag furious as tame Manchester United miss ‘huge’ opportunity

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Erik ten Hag is raging with his charges after Manchester United barely registered a blip in Seville en route to a Europa League exit on Thursday, calling it a “huge” missed opportunity.

The Red Devils coughed up a two-goal lead in the first leg and didn’t even manage a goal in the second, flaming out of Spain and the competition with a 3-0 defeat that left them 5-2 losers on aggregate.

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“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away,” Ten Hag said after the defeat. “We have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it. We have to look forward to Sunday, that’s the next opportunity.”

Ten Hag put it down to desire, which will feel damning to the manager as much as the players.

The ex-Ajax boss has been heralded for the effort and commitment of his players, and that wasn’t there on Thursday.

More on that after the jump.

Erik Ten Hag reaction: Man United short on desire in Seville

“We have to do better,” Ten Hag said. “That’s the demand. We were not composed. We were not calm. Once you beat the press,  there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it. We didn’t do it. Bad decisions and we lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness, that’s difficult to win games.”

Ten Hag doesn’t have long to sort out his team; There’s an FA Cup semifinal versus Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday at Wembley Stadium and Sunday.

The boss knows his team’s lack of fire in a big spot was an issue.

“It’s a problem. We can’t run away from it and we have to acknowledge it but Sunday we have an opportunity and we have to step up and show more personality.”

Sevilla send Manchester United skidding out of Europa League

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Sevilla sent Manchester United out of the Europa League again, this time with a thud, as La Liga’s hosts beat the Red Devils 3-0 to deliver a 5-2 aggregate win to supporters at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on Thursday

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils saw a gorgeous display, 2-0 lead, and the health of two regular back line starters suffer in a 2-2 first leg draw at Old Trafford last week.

There was none of that on Thursday, though Sevilla gave Manchester United 61 percent of the ball as the match wore on with the home side in complete control.

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Youssef En-Nesyri scored early and late, sandwiching his markers around a Loic Bade goal as United rarely worried Sevilla goalkeeper Bono.

It won’t feel any better for Red Devils supporters to have seen David De Gea and Harry Maguire combine to deliver En-Nesyri’s opener on a plate, nor will it bring any joy to note that Sevilla also had a terrific goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

United can still claim the FA Cup to go with its League Cup, while Sevilla can look to its UEL semifinal tie with Juventus as the next step to a trophy.


Sevilla vs Manchester United as it happened

First half: Marcos Acuna could be in trouble here, but he’ll dodge real punishment for shoving Marcel Sabitzer off the field and into a cooler. Lucky, lucky for the Sevilla defender as things start with fire in Spain.

GOOOOOAAAALLLL! Well, that wasn’t part of anyone’s game plan. David De Gea plays out of the bag to Harry Maguire, whose desperation first-touch pass goes right to Sevilla and is in the back of the net within moments. It’s Youssef En-Nesyri making it 1-0 off a feed from pocket-picking Erik Lamela. 1-0, Sevilla.

United’s found its footing now and a loose ball finds its way to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has zipped toward the 18. The fullback, however, fails to get full power on a low shot to Bono.

VAR: A wonderful Lucas Ocampos shot will not go down as a goal after the Video Assistant Referee spots an offside.

HALFTIME: SEVILLA 1-0 (3-2 AGG.) MANCHESTER UNITED

Second half: Luke Shaw is on for Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford comes in for Jadon Sancho.

GOAL! It’s a sweeping Ivan Rakitic corner into the mix and Loic Bade meets it to pop It over the off-kilter De Gea. 2-0, Sevilla.

Sevilla’s press is keeping the ball in United’s end a lot more often than even the most strident Sevilla supporter would’ve expected from a knockout round game against one of the Premier League’s best.

GOAL!! De Gea is not going to write home about this one, and it’s taking place in his home country. A slip, and En-Nesyri has it 3-0, Sevilla in quick fashion.

Really, United’s first half of the first leg was all it’ll be able to remember with fondness, as Sevilla basically went master class at home on Thursday.


Sevilla vs Manchester United player ratings: Stars of the Show

Youssef En-Nesyri: The Moroccan Is having a pretty darn good tournament year, isn’t he?

Ivan Rakitic: The veteran midfielder was very busy and picked his spots well when it came to his 4-for-4 mark in duels.

Antony: The liveliest of United’s players whipped in a few good crosses and was credited with three created chances.

Sevilla vs Manchester United player ratings
fotmob.com

Erik ten Hag reaction: Man United “gave it away”

“This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away,” Ten Hag said after the defeat. “We have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it. We have to look forward to Sunday, that’s the next opportunity.”

(Full comments, video here)


Youssef En-Nesyri goal video: Sevilla feasts off Maguire giveaway

Loic Bade goal video: Corner kick leads to 2-0


How to watch Sevilla vs Manchester United live, stream link and start time

Date: 3pm ET Thursday
Online: Live updates via NBCSports.com
How to watch: TUDN, Paramount+


Sevilla team news, injuries, lineup options

OUT: Marcos Acuna (suspension), Tecatito (ineligible), Pape Gueye (ineligibility)

Manchester United team news, injuries, lineup options

OUT: Raphael Varane (foot), Lisandro Martinez (foot – out for season), Alejandro Garnacho (ankle), Donny van de Beek (knee), Mason Greenwood (suspension – MORE), Tom Heaton (ankle), Phil Jones (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Marcus Rashford (groin), Luke Shaw (thigh), Scott McTominay (knock), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Marcel Sabitzer (undisclosed)

Manchester United injury updates: Lisandro Martinez out for season

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Manchester United’s injury list is growing for the stretch run of three competitions.

Already missing Marcus Rashford, who is “expected to be back for the season run-in,” the Red Devils saw Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez injured against Sevilla on Thursday.

United blew a 2-0 lead to their La Liga visitors in the home first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals and saw Harry Maguire replace an injured Varane at halftime.

[ MORE: Man Utd vs Sevilla player ratings, video highlights ]

It got worse when Martinez was injured after United had used all of its subs. The Red Devils’ center back was carried off the pitch by Sevilla players, who both were cognizant of his injury and anxious to get on with their comeback bid.

There were speculation of an Achilles injury but Man United announced Friday that Martinez had broken a bone in his foot and will miss the rest of the season.

Varane will miss “a few weeks.”

United boss Erik ten Hag is talking up United’s center back depth.

“We have a lot of decent center halves,” said Ten Hag before United’s match with Nottingham Forest. “We have proved in the past and in this season that we have four or five very good centre-halves who can do the job.”

Ten Hag’s dismay with concessions versus Sevilla.

One thing for which Ten Hag did not have a lot of good words was the club’s performance in the second half versus Sevilla.

Ten Hag was also obviously displeased with the blown lead.

“We had the game in our hand. We were 2-0 up and should’ve scored three or four – the game was totally on us. Unlucky moments with injuries, we had to make some subs with injuries then we lost the control.

“I know we can do better with these players in the last part of the game and we needed to be more composed, it was not a nice night.”

United is off to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, and could be asking more from Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.

Then it’s the second leg in Sevilla on Thursday followed by an FA Cup semifinal with Brighton before two games in four days against Spurs and Aston Villa between April 27-30.