Media make their Europa League final predictions
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
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UEFA.com turned to its own band of reporters in Warsaw as well as those assembled from Ukraine, Spain and elsewhere for predictions on the UEFA Europa League final.
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Igor Linnyk, UEFA.com Dnipro reporter
If Dnipro manage to stop favourites Sevilla from playing their own game, this will be a 50-50 contest. Myron Markevych's side have proven many times this season that they can grind out results thanks to their unerring discipline and commitment. I cannot envisage Yevhen Konoplyanka being afforded much space in Warsaw, however, and therefore expect one of Ruslan Rotan, Nikola Kalinić or Matheus to make the difference in the Polish capital.
Prediction: Dnipro 1-0 Sevilla (aet)
Santi Retortillo, UEFA.com Sevilla reporter
Despite having their sights firmly set on this final, Sevilla put on a scintillating display in the second half of their Liga denouement on Saturday. Éver Banega, Vicente Iborra, Aleix Vidal and José Antonio Reyes all turned on the style to show the attacking prowess of a team that looks capable of breaching even Dnipro's strong defensive unit. Throw in their added experience and Sevilla look well set for a fourth title.
Prediction: Dnipro 0-3 Sevilla
Tom Kell, UEFA.com English reporter
In terms of big-game know-how and European pedigree, there is no doubt Sevilla have the edge. However, there is something telling me this remarkable Dnipro story may have a happy ending – they are so dogged in defence that they can rarely be discounted altogether. If Konoplyanka turns it on as he can and Denys Boyko continues to excel between the posts, I think Markevych's team have a real chance of upsetting the odds.
Prediction: Dnipro 2-1 Sevilla (aet)
Dan Ross, UEFA.com social media editor
Try as I might, I cannot see beyond Sevilla for this trophy – they have this competition wired. Unai Emery has experience and quality to call upon in every position, but I think the key difference is on the sidelines and this game will be won from the substitutes' bench. Carlos Bacca will run Dnipro all day long and just when they are tiring ... on comes Kevin Gameiro.
Prediction: Dnipro 1-3 Sevilla (aet)
Piotr Koźmiński, UEFA.com Polish correspondent
Dnipro may have run out of surprises. I think Sevilla are going to be in defiant mood for a number of reasons. I spoke to their chairman, Mr Carmona, at the UEFA Europa League trophy handover in Warsaw last month and he looked really determined to qualify for the UEFA Champions League via this route.
Prediction: Dnipro 0-2 Sevilla
Juan Jiménez, Spanish daily newspaper AS
I think it will be a final in which Sevilla have a duty to take the initiative because they are favourites and Dnipro are likely to look to protect themselves. Sevilla, as holders, have an obligation to set the tone.
Prediction: Dnipro 0-2 Sevilla
Andriy Kudyrko, Ukrainian daily newspaper Vesti
Markevych's men play in an Italian style. They don't seem to put in extraordinary performances – indeed they are not particularly attacking – yet the results speak for themselves. Sevilla are definitely a big fish in this competition, but their run of results in their three previous UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League finals – 4-0, 2-2, 0-0 – suggests a sequence that is going only one way!
Prediction: Dnipro 2-1 (or 1-0) Sevilla
Toby Davis, Reuters
While football's script writers may be penning a fairy-tale ending to Dnipro's remarkable run to the final, the smart money has got to be on Sevilla. Emery's side are, in footballing terms, everything Dnipro are not – an exciting, high-scoring outfit who have eased through to the final in style. Goals win big matches and while Dnipro are ruggedly organised and hard-working, a lack of firepower could be their downfall.
Prediction: Dnipro 1-2 Sevilla
Rafael Pineda, Spanish daily newspaper El País
Contrary to what everyone says about expecting a close game, I think Sevilla will win comfortably. The experience they have and the fact Emery's players have grown a lot over the past two years means they are deserved favourites. I expect them to win with relative comfort.
Prediction: Dnipro 1-3 Sevilla
Tomasz Włodarczyk, Polish newspaper Przegląd Sportowy
Sevilla have scored the joint-most goals in this season's UEFA Europa League and I expect more from them in the final. They have experience and have looked bright recently in Europe and the Spanish Liga. They will dominate possession and they are flexible enough to change tactics if they can't find a way through initially.
Prediction: Dnipro 1-2 Sevilla