Six-time record winners Sevilla will take on AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday, with Jose Mourinho aiming to become the most decorated head coach in European competition history. The Portuguese tactician could outrun Giovanni Trapattoni if the Giallorossi win their second straight piece of continental silverware in Budapest this midweek.
Mourinho has two UEFA Champions League, one UEL and one Europa Conference League title to his credit, so this would bring his tally to six, as he also won the UEFA Cup before the Europa League rebrand. Should Roma succeed, the 60-year-old would also set a new record by winning UEFA’s second-tier league with three different clubs, including Manchester United and FC Porto.
However, Sevilla pretty much owns this competition and have won it six times, which is already a record and a win here would mean seven of the last 18 titles have gone to the Andalusian club. Jose Luis Mendilibar has done a great job saving Sevilla’s season, but this is his first European final and Los Nervionenses have never lost a final they played in.
Roma are more likely to return to Europe next season if they lose here, but Sevilla cannot guarantee that, while the Giallorossi would only play in the Europa Conference League. Both sides must win this final if they want to play top European football next season or even continental football in the case of the Spaniards.
Here are our storylines, how to watch the match and more:
How to watch and opportunities
- Date: Wednesday, May 31 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Place: Puskas Arena — Budapest, Hungary
- TV and live stream: Paramount+
- Chances: Seville +170; Draw: +200; Roma +180 (via Caesar’s Sportsbook)
How they got here
Seville: After barely saving their European season in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, the Spaniards fell back into their preferred continental competition and made lighthearted of their domestic battle to beat PSV Eindhoven in the knockout round play-offs. Fenerbahce followed and Sevilla moved up again with Jorge Sampaoli still at the helm, but Mendilibar had replaced him by the time they beat Manchester United over two legs in the quarter-finals. Juventus were the last hurdle in the semi-final to set up this final against another Italian side in what was a very good season for Serie A in Europe.
Roma: Mourinho’s team finished second behind Real Betis in Group C and thus had to navigate the knockout round like Sevilla. Red Bull Salzburg were eliminated despite the defeat in Austria before a strong first leg was enough to beat Real Sociedad in the next round of 16. Extra time was needed to beat Feyenoord in the quarter-finals, while one goal was enough to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen in the semi-finals to set up this mouth-watering finale where Mourinho takes on history.
Team news
Seville: Yassine Bounou should replace Marko Dmitrovic as he was Mendilibar’s preferred goalkeeper. Joan Jordan and Suso have shrugged off injuries, but Tanguy Nianzou and Marcao have doubts and Marcos Acuna is suspended. Like Joaquin from Real Betis, Jesus Navas is evergreen and will be 37 years and 191 days old when he appears on Wednesday. in 2008. Rafa Mir should be replaced in attack by Youssef En-Nesyri, who was a hero against both United and Juve.
Possibly Sevilla XI: Bounou; Navas, Bade, Gudelj, Telles; Fernando, Rakitic; Ocampos, Torres, Gil; En-Nesyri.
Roma: Paulo Dybala should be fit to play for the Giallorossi, while Leonardo Spinazzola is also expected to make, excluding only Rick Karsdorp and Marash Kumbulla. Mourinho rotated his team against Fiorentina so expect to see a strong Roma team from the start. Nemanja Matic, Rui Patricio and captain Lorenzo Pellegrini will all return here.
Possibly Roma XI: Patricia; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Abraham.
Prediction
This is something of a soccer ball equivalent to an irresistible force meeting a solid object. Sevilla does not lose Europa League final while Mourinho is one of the masters when it comes to major finals of the UEFA competition. Whatever happens, don’t be surprised if this goes beyond 90 minutes and possibly even to penalties. Choose: Sevilla 1, Roma 2 (after extra time).