Typically speaking, most UEFA Europa League finals are treated as an appetizer ahead of the main course, the Champions League final. This year’s finale, however, might be just as filling as the entree.
Chelsea and Arsenal have a lot riding on this one match. Be it qualification to the Champions League or ending pointless narratives, both teams have plenty of motivation to emerge victorious. Even supporters have experienced a trying journey to Azerbaijan, which has almost overshadowed the game itself.
Here are the storylines to watch ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final.
The atmosphere (Fans getting tickets)
Perhaps the biggest off-field story surrounds the actual hosts of the final. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is at least a six-hour journey from London by plane. However, some fans needed to take a connecting flight, which could reach 13 hours of travel time when all is said and done.
UEFA also released just 6,000 tickets for each set of fans. They later defended that decision by essentially stating that Baku’s airport and hotels wouldn’t be able to accommodate more than 15,000 supporters.
Despite all of the uproar from the fans, Chelsea and Arsenal ended up returning half of their respective allocations to UEFA. Whether it was due to a lack of flights, accommodations or the exorbitant cost to attend the final, some fans simply aren’t able to attend.
UEFA still isn’t worried and expects a sell-out crowd of 69,870 for the match. But it will be intriguing to see how many of the attendees will be wearing red and blue.
Power, politics and planning
One of the victims of Baku hosting the final is Arsenal forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Mkhitaryan, an Armenian international, is missing the final on Wednesday, which stems from ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenians are banned from entering Azerbaijan, although the government can grant exceptions in certain cases.
But due to security concerns, Mkhitaryan is staying in England. He was also left behind when Arsenal faced Qarabağ in the Europa League group stage back in October.
A player opting to miss a match because he fears for his own safety should be a strong enough message for UEFA to ensure that a host is welcoming for everyone. Unfortunately, financial motivation can trump everything.
Final hurrah for Sarri, Hazard?
Chelsea is already guaranteed a Champions League berth for next season, but winning this competition would be a significant accomplishment for manager Maurizio Sarri.
Sarri, who may leave the club to take over at Juventus, has not won a major trophy. If this is the end for the Italian at Chelsea, it would be a triumphant conclusion if he can lift the Europa League.
More than anything, it could also end the narrative about Sarri not winning a trophy during his career.
However, trophies don’t always define a manager’s success. Sarri mounted a title challenge with Napoli against a historically great Juventus with the fifth-highest wage bill in Serie A, and his football drew rave reviews from Pep Guardiola in the process. Guiding Chelsea to third place in the Premier League and lifting a Europa League title would be more than satisfactory as well.
Sarri isn’t the only one who’s reportedly on the way out, either. Eden Hazard is practically guaranteed to leave Chelsea at season’s end, likely for Real Madrid, and will want to exit on a high.
Hazard will surely be the key player for Chelsea on Wednesday, too. The Belgian has contributed 19 goals and 16 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions this season, more than any other player in the squad.
Season-defining moment for Arsenal?
Arsenal arguably has more at stake given their final standing in the Premier League. A fifth-place finish means winning the Europa League is the Gunners’ last chance to secure Champions League football for next season.
If that occurs, not only does Arsenal guarantee tens of millions of pounds in additional revenue, the club can also target more players in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal is reportedly interested in Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti to shore up its defence for next season. Participating in the Champions League could convince Umtiti to join the North London club, not to mention the other targets on Arsenal’s wish list.
[relatedlinks]
