Sevilla vs AS Roma preview
Looking to win their fifth title in nine years, Spanish side Sevilla will take on Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma in the final of the UEFA Europa League at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Sevilla have been there and won it several times, including a three-=peat between 2014-16, while Roma are only making their second-ever appearance in the tournament’s final after 32 years.
Both the teams are desperate for the win, given how their domestic league campaign has gone. While Roma finished the Serie A in sixth, missing out on the Champions League places by a considerable margin of seven points, Sevilla fared even worse, ending their La Liga season in 11th place with a goal difference of negative 6.
However, they have reserved their best for the Europa League. Roma’s journey into the final includes well-deserved wins over rising Spanish side Real Sociedad, Dutch champions Feyenoord and German against Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Sevilla had to defeat PSV Eindhoven and top teams like Manchester United and Juventus to get to the final. However, both teams are stacked with talent and have players who, on their day, can turn a match around on their own.
On current form, Sevilla looks the better side, having taken eight points from their last five games, while Roma fared poorly, losing two and drawing three during the same run of games. However, in terms of stability, AS Roma seem to be better placed as Sevilla’s current manager Jose Luis Mendilibar is their third of the season.
But many of these things do not matter in a final where a split second can decide the game’s fate; thus, both sides will be warier of the other’s strengths and will be looking to nullify them.
Sevilla vs AS Roma lineups
Sevilla predicted lineup
One of the significant worries for Mendilibar will be the unavailability of French centre-back Tanguy Nianzou and left-back Marcos Acuna through injury and suspension, respectively. This means there will be added pressure on the defensive trio of Loic Bade, Nemanja Gudelj and Alex Telles to ensure the duo’s absence is not felt.
Sevilla will also be expecting a brilliant performance from Moroccans Yassine Bounou and Youssef En-Nesyri, respectively. Ivan Rakitic will be the focal point of the midfield, while Jesus Navas, at 37, will be tasked to keep Roma’s left winger quiet.
Predicted Sevilla lineup: Bounou; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Telles; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Torres, Gil; En-Nesyri
AS Roma predicted lineup
Before the final, Roma were sweating over the fitness of Paolo Dybala. However, in a remarkable recovery, the Argentine forward has become fit in time for the clash, which will immensely increase the quality of Roma’s attack. In addition, the club got another boost as Leonardo Spinazzola also completed his first full training and is certain to start the final.
Former Manchester United duo of Chris Smalling and Nemanja Matic will be tasked to lead the defence and midfield, respectively, given how they have been integral to their Europa League campaign. However, Mourinho’s main concern will be his front line; he has only scored 48 goals in the league but have shown flashes of brilliance in the cup competition.
Predicted AS Roma lineup: Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Abraham
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Sevilla vs AS Roma predictions
Predicting a cup final is never easy, as a one-off match can be decided many times by a single event (an outrageous goal, a red card or an injury to a star player). Moreover, Sevilla, despite having a horrible cane, never ruled out in the Europa League, a competition that they dominated in recent years. In addition, while Roma’s l; league form have been much better, their form tapered off in the final run of games while Sevilla’s took off.
Roma also have a brilliant defensive lineup that knows how to grind out a result, characteristics that have often decided the fate of a final. However, Sevilla have the experience of being there and doing it too many times. Within such an environment, the match will be closely fought.
FootTheBall predicts a 1-1 score till 120 minutes, with Roma triumphing on penalties.