The UEFA Europa League concludes with Wednesday’s final between Benfica and Sevilla from the Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy.
Sportsnet’s panel of soccer writers and broadcasters preview the match and offer their predictions.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Benfica vs. Sevilla in Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League final live on all four main Sportsnet channels and Sportsnet World. Coverage begins at 2:30 pm ET/11:20 PT. | Sportsnet World Online. | TV schedule
James Sharman, Soccer Central
It’s overshadowed by its illustrious cousin, but the Europa League has delivered more drama and excitement this season than the Champions League. Two reasons for its rise back into footy prominence are the teams set to square off on Wednesday in Turin. Benfica and Sevilla have flown the flag of the second tier competition, and that is by no means a criticism.
Benfica is a club that deserves its breakthrough. For several years now it has been on the “one to watch” list as Jorges Jesus builds a rock solid outfit. Benfica is on course for a domestic treble—so that could be a quad if successful vs. Sevilla—and needs this after last season’s loss to Chelsea in the final, its seventh straight European final loss. As a Champions League parachute club, some do question the legitimacy of the Eagles’ presence in the Europa League, but eight unbeaten matches is nothing to dismiss, and if victorious on Wednesday at least we can finally do away with the “Guttmann Curse’” nonsense that follows this team around like a bad smell.
The Spaniards on the other hand have no curse to worry about, other than being forced to compete with Real Madrid and Barcelona every year in La Liga, and if there is a fairy tale team this might be it. After all, through an 18 match progression—including a penalty shoot out win and an away goal in injury time in the semifinals—suggest that perhaps there is some celestial force smiling on Unai Emery’s team. Don’t be a snob, watch this one, as I suspect it will be a far better match than the Champions League final.
Prediction: Benfica wins 2-1.
Alex Seixeiro, Sportsnet FAN 590
Benfica loves the possession game and Sevilla loves to counter. Something has to give and after watching Benfica’s remarkable season from the very beginning, it’s hard to think that after falling to Chelsea last year that they will let another Europa League final slip through their fingers Benfica’s quest for four trophies this season remains possible thanks to their squad depth, and that depth will be tested in Turin with midfielders Enzo Perez, Salvio and Markovic all missing out due to suspension, while Ljubomir Fesja is injured.
But Ruben Amorim has shown immense defensive and passing ability when called upon, and with central midfielders Perez and Fesja out, Amorim will be forced to step up once again. The good news for Benfica manager Jorge Jesus is he will have his attacking pairing of Rodrigo and Lima available, a duo that has terrorized defenders all season. After watching Benfica’s sparkling defensive performance in the second leg against Juventus in the semis, they should be able to handle whatever Rakitic, Gameiro and Mbia throw their way. Luisao and Garay have been one of the top central defensive pairings in all of Europe and it won’t surprise me to see them shine one more time.
Prediction: Benfica wins 2-0.
James Doyle, Sportsnet.ca
The Europa League is a crapshoot. That’s part of the fun of it, of course—watching your team play a team you’ve never heard of from the Hungarian League, or last year’s Bulgarian runners-up. It’s exotic, in a way, and fun and takes you beyond the familiar glitz of the Champions League.
But it’s also weaker. Much weaker. So when teams filter through to the finals, there’s always the chance they got through on luck as much as quality. Consider this year’s final. Benfica—just barely dumped down from the Champions League after having beaten Paris St. Germain—fought their way through Tottenham and Juventus. Sevilla coasted through the likes of Real Betis (dead last in La Liga at the moment) and Slovenian side Maribor. That tells the story. Sevilla just don’t have the kind of quality about them that suggests they deserve a title. Benfica have proven their worth. They’ll prove it again.
Prediction: Benfica wins 2-0.
Thomas Michalakos, Sportsnet.ca
Runners-up in 2013, Benfica are the only side to advance this far without defeat, winning six of their eight matches since dropping out of the Champions League. Jorge Jesus’ men have proven their mettle and resolve, as the road travelled hasn’t been easy—they’ve knocked out PAOK Salonica, Tottenham, AZ Alkmaar and Juventus to earn the right to compete for the Europa League crown. Unfortunately for Benfica, Luisao and Lazar Markovic are both suspended for Wednesday’s match, the only players to have featured in all eight of their team’s Europa fixtures.
The culminating spectacle in Turin will be Sevilla’s 19th game of the tournament, which began in the third qualifying round last August. It wasn’t until their derby clash with Real Betis in the round of 16 that Unai Emery’ Rojiblancos were actually tested and faced with real adversity. Sevilla dropped the first leg 2-0 at home, before equalling the aggregate score and winning in a dramatic penalty shootout. In the quarterfinals, FC Porto won the opening match 1-0 in Portugal, before being humbled 4-1 in Andalusia. A semifinal showdown with Valencia followed, and they needed a last-gasp strike by Stephane M’Bia in the fifth minute of injury-time to win on away goals. Ivan Rakitic has been the driving force behind Sevilla’s quest to become only the fourth club to claim three UEFA Cup/Europa League titles—the others being Liverpool, Inter Milan & Juventus. The club captain has led by example and produced his best season to date as a professional. Expect the Croatian midfielder to be sold to the highest bidder this summer.
Prediction: Sevilla wins 2-1.
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