In the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Sevilla has conquered the Europa League for the seventh time. After a blistering final against AS Roma (1-1), the Spaniards proved too strong after penalties. Roma took the lead in the first half through Paulo Dybala. Sevilla got better and better in the game and ten minutes after the break it became 1-1, because Gianluca Mancini worked a cross from Jesús Navas into his own goal. In the penalty shootout, misses by Mancini and Roger Ibañez proved fatal.
At Seville, Nemanja Gudelj was assigned a basic place as expected. The Breda native was central to the defense next to Loïc Badé. Karim Rekik therefore started on the bench. Manchester United mercenary Alex Telles replaced the suspended Marcos Acuña at left back. Former Ajax player Lucas Ocampos, together with Óliver Torres and Bryan Gil, had to provide the supply towards striker Youssef En-Nesyri. On the side of Roma, Georginio Wijnaldum was disappointed with a place on the bench. That had to do with the return of Leonardo Spinazzola and Dybala, who turned out to be fit enough to start in the base. In addition to Wijnaldum, this was also at the expense of Stephan El Shaarawy. Tammy Abraham was the striker of the Romans.
AS Roma star Paulo Dybala has opened the Europa League final! ????#sevrom
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 31, 2023
The shock was there right away, when Gudelj and Ibañez collided with their heads. Both players were eventually able to continue playing. Roma operated more offensively than expected and that team got the first serious opportunity. Dybala gave in to Zeki Celik, who in turn found the uncovered Spinazzola. The Italian got the ball in front of his lesser right and couldn’t give enough direction to his shot. In the following phase, the game mainly took place in midfield, but Roma still managed to take the lead. Cristante captured the ball, after which Mancini delivered an excellent through ball to Dybala. The Argentine remained cool and pushed the ball behind Yassine Bounou: 0-1.
The final is back in balance; Gianluca Mancini passes his own goalkeeper… ??#sevrom
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 31, 2023
Sevilla bit more and more as the first half progressed and put more aggressiveness in its game. The Spaniards got one big chance. Fernando was reached uncovered from a corner kick in the box, but was off balance when he headed in. Out of nowhere, Sevilla almost equalized on the stroke of half time. Ivan Rakitic lashed out devastatingly, hit the post and was unlucky that the ball did not end up in the goal via Roma goalkeeper Rui Patrício. After the break, Sevilla continued the good line. From one of the threatening moments, Jesús Navas gave a cross from the right and his cross was worked into his own goal by Mancini: 1-1.
What an opportunity for Roma ??#sevrom pic.twitter.com/JieQIVUa88
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 31, 2023
After the equalizer, Roma came back into the game better. It led to a huge opportunity in minute 68. Lorenzo Pellegrini brought the ball dangerously into the box and Abraham shot Bounou from very close range. In the rebound, Ibañez still got the chance to hit the target. However, the Brazilian hit the leather completely wrong. Immediately afterwards, the tired Dybala was relieved by Wijnaldum. Sevilla took over the initiative and thought they would get a penalty after an alleged foul by Ibañez on Ocampos. After seeing the images, referee Anthony Taylor reversed his decision, when it turned out that the ball was played first. Roma was pushed back, but got a great chance through Andrea Belotti. He wasted his shooting chance from a cleverly taken free kick by hitting the ball wrong.
In the extension, Sevilla coach José Luis Mendilibar decided to bring fresh blood with Rekik and Gonzalo Montiel. The fatigue had a clear effect on the players and the corresponding pace in the match. Both teams seemed happy to reach the first half of extra time with a 1-1 score. In the second half of extra time, Sevilla seemed to have more energy left. It led to some threatening moments in the opening phase of the second act. However, it turned out to be a brief revival. The game was often stopped due to injury treatments and serious opportunities, despite the almost twelve (!) minutes of injury time, were not forthcoming for a long time. In minutes 120 + 12, Smalling headed from a corner kick on the crossbar. Penalty kicks had to determine which club would take home the cup.
Penalty Shootout
Ocampos: 0-1
Cristante: 1-1
Lamella: 1-2
Mancini: wrong
Rakitic: 1-3
Ibanez: Wrong
Montiel: 1-4