Puskas Arena in Budapest is the venue as record-time UEFA Europa League winners Sevilla and reigning Europa Conference League holders Roma go head-to-head in the Europa League final. Wednesday’s showpiece event in Hungary represents the last chance for both sides to ensure Champions League qualification for next season.
Despite experiencing an underwhelming La Liga campaign, Sevilla could complete the 2022/23 season on a high by landing a record-extending seventh Europa League crown. Los Rojiblancos come into proceedings off the back of a 2-1 league loss at Real Madrid, which brought their decent-looking six-match unbeaten run in all competitions to a halt (W2, D4 – 90mins only).
Sevilla’s record of six titles in Europe’s second-tier competition in the 21st century shows why many consider them a textbook definition of ‘Europa League specialists.’ They’ve won twice as many trophies as closest followers Inter Milan, Liverpool, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid and have yet to lose a grand final in this tournament. After shuffling his pack at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend, manager Jose Luis Mendilibar hopes fresh legs can help his side maintain that eye-catching tradition.
However, Sevilla must overcome non-other than Jose Mourinho to get over the finishing line. The Special One has already won two Europa League titles with Porto and Manchester United and could become the first manager to lift Europe’s second-most prestigious trophy with three different clubs. Based on his impressive track record in European finals, Roma fans have every reason for optimism.
Mourinho has never lost a title-deciding fixture on the continental front, most recently guiding the Giallorossi to Europa Conference League glory last season. But the Italians’ underwhelming four-match winless run in the build-up to the showpiece event (D3, L1) cannot inspire much confidence. Yet, it’s worth noting the Portuguese boss has intentionally sacrificed his Serie A ambitions to pursue continental success.
Match Preview
Sevilla
Following an ill-fated Champions League group stage campaign, Sevilla have parachuted into the Europa League knockouts and excelled. PSV Eindhoven, Fenerbahce, Man United, and Juventus have been no match for Los Rojiblancos in the previous knockout rounds. However, Mendilibar’s men have gone winless on all four Europa League travels this spring (D2, L2).
That woeful run forms part of an embarrassing 13-match winless streak in away European fixtures, casting doubt on the Spaniards’ bid to bring the trophy home. But the history books firmly back Sevilla for success, with La Liga clubs emerging victorious in nine of the last 13 major European finals against Serie A adversaries, bookended by the Andalusians’ 3-2 victory over Inter in the 2019/20 Europa League showpiece.
Player to Watch: Youssef En-Nesyri
In addition to topping the club’s scoring charts with 18 goals from 41 appearances this season, En-Nesyri has been a nuisance in the Europa League, netting four times in eight outings in the competition’s knockout stages.
Roma
Following last season’s Europa Conference League triumph, Roma could become only the fifth Italian club to win back-to-back major European titles. But like their Spanish counterparts, the Giallorossi have massively struggled on their continental travels, especially in the spring, failing to score in all four Europa League away legs en route to the final (D2, L2).
Wednesday’s fixture marks Roma’s second foray into the Europa League final. Their only previous appearance in the competition’s title decider yielded a 2-1 aggregate loss to Inter in 1990/91. Worryingly, Roma also found themselves on the receiving end of a 2-0 scoreline in their only Europa League clash against Sevilla thus far, bowing out of the 2019/20 round of 16.
Player to Watch: Tammy Abraham
With Paulo Dybala’s availability still in the balance, Abraham must step up to the plate to boost Roma’s quest to ascend to the European throne. The Englishman has scored only once in 13 Europa League outings this season, but that won’t matter if he finds the net on Wednesday.
Team News
Jesus Corona and Pape Gueye are ineligible to play after being omitted from Sevilla’s Europa League squad, while Marcos Acuna picked up a red card against Juventus. However, Jesus Navas, Alex Telles, Fernando, Lucas Ocampos, and En-Nesyri should return to the starting lineup after being rested in Madrid last weekend.
As for Roma, Rick Karsdorp, Marash Kumbulla, and Mady Camara are likely to miss out. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Leonardo Spinazzola should regain their places in the starting XI after overcoming minor fitness issues. That leaves Dybala as the only doubt in Mourinho’s squad, but after returning to full training on Monday, he could start.
Sevilla vs Roma Potential Lineups
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Bounou; Jesus Navas, Loic Bade, Nemanja Gudelj, Alex Telles; Fernando, Ivan Rakitic; Lucas Ocampos, Oliver Torres, Bryan Gil; Youssef En-Nesyri.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Chris Smalling, Roger Ibanez; Zeki Celik, Bryan Cristante, Nemanja Matic, Leonardo Spinazzola; Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini; Tammy Abraham.
Sevilla vs Roma Prediction
Despite Sevilla’s formidable Europa League record, Roma can rely on Mourinho to mastermind another memorable European night, especially with Dybala in the starting lineup. We back the Italians to squeeze past Los Rojiblancos.
Prediction: Roma Win
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