Story so far: Sevilla FC
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Article summary
Targeting a record fourth triumph in the competition, Sevilla FC started steadily but have been untouchable in the knockouts. Back-to-back titles once again in sight.
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Having won last year's competition Sevilla FC will contest their second successive UEFA Europa League final, hoping to become the first team ever to win the trophy four times – and repeat their achievement of back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Story of the season
Although they had a nervy path out of their group – progressing behind Feyenoord from Group G – no team could live with Sevilla in the knockout stages. VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach and Villarreal CF were then defeated with relative ease, Unai Emery's charges winning all four legs across the rounds of 32 and 16, while Kevin Gameiro's 85th-minute strike in St Petersburg snuck them past FC Zenit. Most impressive of the lot, they secured their spot in Warsaw with a dominant semi-final win against ACF Fiorentina, scoring five across two legs and conceding none.
Record this season: P14 W10 D3 L1 F26 A12
Pivotal moment
In what looked an evenly-matched round of 16 tie against Villarreal, Vitolo opened the scoring in the first leg at Estadio El Madrigal in just 13 seconds, the fastest ever goal in the UEFA Europa League. That put Sevilla in charge and they went on to win the leg 3-1, a real statement of intent against a team that had scored 20 goals in eight games on their way to the last 16.
Key player
Despite not being on the pitch for more than 66 minutes in any group stage game, for just 51 minutes across both legs with Villarreal, and 26 minutes in the first leg against Zenit, Carlos Bacca has proved vital off the bench, scoring five goals from eight shots on goal, four of which have come in the knockout rounds.
Unsung hero
Sergio Rico began the season with Sevilla Atlético – the Blanquirrojos' reserve side – in Spain's third tier but injuries to last season's final hero Beto and Mariano Barbosa gave the young goalkeeper his chance to shine in the first team. He heads to the final with ten European games under his belt and after producing some exceptional performances, particularly against Zenit and Fiorentina.
Number: 47
The number of matches defender Daniel Carriço has played in the UEFA Europa League, making him the most experienced player in the competition. The 26-year-old is now the leader of Sevilla's defence after Nicolas Pareja's injury and in Warsaw will be gunning for another winners' medal.
Quote
"The key to our success is our unity, hard work and our huge spirit of togetherness. We would break our backs for our team-mates – we are like a family. We have huge ambitions and we're making history with this club."
Daniel Carriço, Sevilla defender