DNIPRO
VS
SEVILLA
27th May, 2015; 19-45 GMT
National Stadium, Warsaw
Ita s the final step of the long road to crown the Europa League champions and its Ukranian side Dnipro who will face Spanish club Sevilla at the National Stadium in Warsaw for the honours as well as a spot in next seasona s Champions League.
For Dnipro, it has been a fairy tale so far in their quest to win the Europa League, despite all the odds. With war raging in Ukraine and the battle over Crimea with Russia, it was a devastating time for the country, but the players of the club have rallied together and put on a run that sees them put one hand on the coveted trophy. Their journey to the final has not been easy either, having had to beat the more fancied teams like Olympiakos, Ajax, Napoli, etc. While playing in a European final may be a new experience for the players, they will certainly be pumped up to make the most of it.
For Sevilla, this will be a road that they have travelled quite frequently. Having won what was then the UEFA Cup back to back in 2005/06 and 2006/07, they are set to repeat the same feat this time as well, having won the Europa League last season. If they can defend their title, they will have won the competition for a record 4 times, and manager Unai Emery will prep the players to ensure they do not miss the chance to get their names in the record books. Having finished in only 5th place in the La Liga, a win will give them the chance to enter the Champions League group stage, another major incentive for the players, if they were not already looking forward to playing the final.
Team News and Tactics
Dnipro
For the Dnipro players, this will be a brand new experience, with them having played in the Quarterfinals of the Champions League way back in the 1989/90 season. While they have been consistently participating in European competitions for the last 15 years or so, their success has been nowhere close to what they have achieved this season.
Manager Myron Markevych will have his hands full if he has to ensure that Dnipro can come away from the final as champions. He will be without Roman Zozulya and Sergiy Kravchenko, who are both sidelined due to injury. Evgeniy Shakhov is a doubt as well. However, Markevych could very well go with the same starting eleven that beat Napoli in the second leg of the semifinal.
Expected Line up: Boyko; Matos, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Fedetsky; Fedorchuk, Kankava; Konoplyanka, Rotan, Luchkevych; Seleznyov.
Sevilla
For manager Unai Emery, this will be a chance to create history and help Sevilla become the first team to win the competition for 4 times, and in the process give them Champions League football for next season. It seems he is doing all he can to prepare for the final, having admitted that he has already spoken with former Dnipro manager Juande Ramos, who himself helped Sevilla to their first two Europa League titles.
He will have to do without the services of Nico Pareja and Beto, who are both out due to injury. Emery is likely to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Bacca leading the line for the Spanish club.
Expected Line up: Rico; Tremoulinas, Carrico, Kolodziejczak, Coke; Mbia, Krychowiak; Vitolo, Banega, Vidal; Bacca.
Key Facts
- Sevilla have won 8 out of their last 9 Europa League games.
- Sevilla have managed to score a minimum of 2 goals in their last 7 Europa League games.
Prediction
Both teams will be raring to go on and win the trophy, but Sevilla has the edge on this one as they have the knowhow of what it takes to win a final on such a big stage, having only done it last season. While Dnipro have had a fairy tale run, it is likely that the Spanish club will come away as champions once again.
Predicted Score: Dnipro 1-3 Sevilla