Europa League Final 2020 - Sevilla v Inter Milan

Europa League Final 2020 – Sevilla v Inter Milan How It Happened

Inside the first five minutes, Romelu Lukaku bulldozed through the Sevilla defence and drew a foul from Diego Carlos. The challenge arguably should have been a red card, but Antonio Conte’s side settled with a yellow instead and a penalty kick. The deadly Belgian striker converted it from twelve yards, making it 8 goals in 7 games. Incredibly, he has managed to score in 11 consecutive games in the competition. [0-1] Following their shaky start, Julen Lopetegui’s decision to keep De Jong in the team paid dividends. The former Manchester City player, Jesus Navas, whipped a wicked ball into the box and De Jong equalised, despite the goalkeeper getting a glove on the ball. [1-1]

Barely 15 minutes had passed and both teams were hounding the referee. It was like watching a cackle of hyenas circling a dying antelope. Danny Makkelie had never officiated a European final before, but certainly showed why he is considered one of the most respected referees around. He was incredulous to the theatrical play-acting and kept the cards in his pocket for most of the fixture. Historically, the tie favoured Sevilla. They are renowned for their performances in this competition, last winning the trophy in 2016. Inter Milan, on the other hand, had not claimed any silverware since 2011 when they defeated Palermo in the Coppa Italia final. Conte’s side will be eager to change that.

In the 32nd minute, Sevilla got themselves a free-kick in a promising position. Banega curled a ball into the back post where De Jong headed in spectacularly for his brace. After scoring the winning goal against Manchester United in the previous round, that was the Dutchman’s third goal in just two games. Then, before anyone could catch their breath, Godin headed the Italians level less than three minutes later. Brozovic floated in an inviting cross for Godin to score his second goal in Inter Milan colours. [2-2] It was a breathless first half in Cologne, with plenty of opportunities arising either end of the pitch. Both teams were stringing the ball around neatly and making good progress offensively. This was already shaping up to be a memorable game and there was still another 45 minutes remaining. The Moroccan goalkeeper made a huge save twenty minutes after the restart. Lukaku once again found himself behind Sevilla’s defensive line but failed to put away his second of the game. A final of this magnitude is never without its controversy. With only fifteen minutes left, Diego Carlos caught a fanciful overhead kick which looked as though it was going wide until Lukaku deflected it into his own net. If the score remains like this, the referee might have some explaining to do at the final whistle. The Inter fans will argue that the Brazilian defender shouldn’t have been on the pitch in the first place. [3-2]

In response to going behind, Conte decided to bring on three ex-Premier League players to hopefully turn the tide: Victor Moses, Alexis Sanchez and Christian Eriksen. Surely enough, the substitutions combined to make an impact. There was a desperate scramble in the box as the Italian side looked for a dramatic equaliser. Alexis Sanchez poked the ball towards the goal, but it was cleared away by Jules Koundé. In the end, Sevilla closed the game out by disrupting Inter Milan’s fluent rhythm of passing. Munir and Vázquez pressed their defenders into making risky passes. Conte’s team could not sustain enough possession to create anything threatening and the Spanish side claimed their sixth Europa League trophy. Julen Lopetegui was in tears at the final whistle and understandably so. He was sacked by Real Madrid after just four months in 2018 and sacked as Spain’s manager only two days before the World Cup. It has been a tough stretch in his managerial career and this victory certainly meant the world to him. FACT OF THE DAY: Christian Eriksen is now the only player in history to lose a Champions League final and a Europa League final within two seasons.