The stage is set for an enticing Europa League final featuring the defending champions Sevilla of Spain, and the surprise Ukrainian underdogs Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Dnipro 1-0 Napoli (2-1 aggregate)
After Napoli’s convincing defeat of Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals, many were shocked about the Italian side’s flat performance in Naples in the first leg of the semi-finals. It looked as though they underestimated the tactical strength of the Ukrainian side that narrowly defeated Club Brugge in the quarter-finals, managing to break past the Belgian club’s notoriously strong defense.
In the first leg, Dnipro’s goalkeeper Boyko made a name for himself with some spectacular saves, frustrating Napoli’s attacking players Higuain, Hamsik, and Callejon, a talented trio who rarely struggle to find the back of the net. Boyko was once again the hero on the night for Dnipro, denying Higuain at point-blank range seven minutes into the game. Dnipro were smart with their defending and opted to hold a very disciplined flat-back four and to utilize speed down the wings when transitioning into the attack. Napoli were caught offside on many occasions.
Although the home team were not in desperate need of a goal, benefiting from the away goal in the first-leg’s 1-1 draw, they were an inspired side. In Naples, the Italians had out-classed and out-possessed their visitors but on their home turf, Dnipro looked confident, relaxed and completely in control for the first twenty minutes or so of the match. They applied good pressure to Napoli and called upon Andujar a few times in goal. Napoli’s defenders looked very unstable, not like a side who had gone undefeated since matchday three of the competition.
The first half ended with lots of frustration for Napoli who, when they were able to get control of the ball, were either caught offside or were read like a book by Dnipro’s defense and had their attack broken up. The home side were tirelessly pressuring and transitioning with speed. They looked like the side most likely to find the back of the net before the match was up.
Twelve minutes after the restart, that goal would come from the same goal-scoring hero Seleznyov, who netted their precious away goal last week. The pace of the game had picked up considerably from the first half, both teams pushing for a goal and making spectacular runs down the wings and sending great balls over defensive lines in an attempt to break the 0-0 stalemate on the night. Konoplyanka picked up the ball on the wing and sent in a fantastic cross in spite of having three Napoli defenders rushing to him. With Britos hanging off of him, Seleznyov managed to jump high enough to reach the ball and head it home.
As the rain continued to poor down on the pitch, Dnipro’s fans were having the time of their lives in the stands. Napoli now needed a goal and that would only see them through to extra time. Boyko was proving that a goal was not going to come easy, let alone two. Napoli continued to push. Seleznyov was substituted in the 75th minute to make way for fresh legs and the home side sat back and remained organized. Napoli were lucky not to get caught on the counter attack and concede another goal, for the remaining fifteen minutes of the game were filled with rough tackles and box-to-box action.
At the sound of the final whistle, Dnipro were able to celebrate a fantastic accomplishment for their club. They had remained tactically disciplined and took advantage of the chances they created to strike. Napoli were not short on goal scoring opportunities, but stray shots, fantastic defending, and some magic from Boyko denied the Italians a spot at the Europa League final.
Sevilla 2-0 Fiorentina (5-0 aggregate)
Sevilla have had no problems proving that they are worthy of defending their title. Since their first knockout game against Borussia Monchengladbach, they have asserted their dominance with fantastic displays of dazzling attacking play, organized defense, and solid tactical adaptations to their opposition’s styles of play.
Fiorentina struggled defensively in both legs of this semi-final matchup. Within the first thirty seconds of the match, Fiorentina had conceded a corner and looked extremely shaky at the back. Salah tried to make a breakaway towards Sevilla’s goal but his efforts were quickly snuffed out. By the second minute mark, Sevilla had already found a comfortable rhythm and were giving Fiorentina the runaround.
The home side were desperate for a goal in hopes of creating some sort of forward momentum to help them overcome the 3-0 deficit from the first leg. Ilicic and Salah were busy up top creating chance after chance but between Sevilla’s solid defending and poor technique in their finishing attempts, Fiorentina just couldn’t get on the scoreboard. In the 27th minute, Sevilla were able to take advantage of one of their infrequent surges forward. A low, hard cross was sent in from the wing and a cheeky back-heel from Kolodziejczak sent the ball straight to Bacca. Fiorentina were punished yet again by Sevilla’s talented attackers.
As the half wound to a close, it was the same old, agonizing story for the home side. They repeatedly found themselves in their opposition’s penalty area but couldn’t convert. Sevilla were able to utilize the great chance they had created for themselves and dedicated the remainder of the half to a few uninspired runs forward and lots of defending.
Fiorentina came out swinging in the second half, running at Sevilla’s defenders and forcing some tackles. Valero took a dive in a desperate attempt to get some sort of advantage over the visitors but his efforts were met with a yellow card. Sergio Rico was a fantastic asset for Sevilla, making a huge save in the 52nd minute and denying one of Fiorentina’s best chances of the match.
The best shot for the home side came in the 65th minute when Pizarro was fouled just inside the box and they were awarded a much-needed penalty kick. Ilicic stepped up to take it, knowing that he could potentially change the momentum for Fiorentina and at least get them a dignity goal. Luck was not on his side that night. Ilicic sent the ball sailing over the bar, Sergio Rico’s goal completely unthreatened from eleven meters out. Fiorentina blew the best chance of the game.
Amazingly, they Italians refused to give up on their home turf. They continued to batter Sevilla’s goal but just could not find the back of the net. Regardless of your beliefs, God, the universe, and luck were all against Fiorentina that night. Sergio Rico did a fantastic job keeping his defense organized in front of him and Sevilla did a great job of holding the ball in spite of the tireless pressure from Fiorentina.
At the sound of the whistle, it was clear that Sevilla deserved to go through. The 5-0 aggregate score was not necessarily an accurate portrayal of the events taking place on the pitch but the talent of Sevilla can’t be denied. They will defend their trophy against Dnipro in Warsaw on the 27th of May.
