A mediocre playing Juventus has dragged a draw out of the fire in the semi-finals of the Europa League at the last minute. At home it seemed to lose to Sevilla for a long time, but deep into injury time Federico Gatti made it 1-1 from a corner. Next Thursday at 9 p.m., the return is scheduled in Seville.
Juventus started with four other starting players than last Sunday, when Atalanta were beaten 0-2. Former Ajax player Arkadiusz Milik, among others, therefore had to settle for a place on the bench, while ex-FC Groningens player Filip Kostic was allowed to show it from the first minute this time. On the side of Sevilla, Karim Rekik, who was still in the starting line-up against Espanyol (3-2 win) last weekend, started on the bench. There was, however, a basic place for former Ajax player Lucas Ocampos.
Does it surprise anyone? ?? Sevilla ahead in the Europa League! ??#juvsev
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In the opening phase, both teams had chances for the first goal. Kostic shot wide, Wojciech Szczesny saved Ocampos’ header, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou prevented Dusan Vlahovic – who turned out to be offside – from scoring twice and Ocampos failed to hit a cross by Ivan Rakitic well. In the 26th minute it was still a hit for Sevilla. After a lightning-fast switch, Youssef En-Nesyri fired in a low cross from Ocampos: 0-1.
Juventus lost it after that opening goal and the visitors had several opportunities to double the score. A shot from Ocampos, however, was blocked, Danilo could barely prevent En-Nesyri from drawing face to face with Szczesny for the 0-2, the same Polish goalkeeper tapped a long shot from Rakitic after a save and just before half-time En-Nesyri shot just wide . Juventus, for example, could be happy that it was ‘only’ 0-1 halfway through.
Juventus came out of the dressing room full of energy and became dangerous a few times. For example, Federico Chiesa was just unable to extend a free kick by Ángel Di María with his foot and Bounou saved a shot by Samuel Iling Junior. Was in the final phase la Veccia Signora then unable to create any great chances for the equalizer for a long time, until it got another corner in the 97th minute and Gatti managed to head in the 1-1.