Previews
JUE 14.05.2015
Sevilla are on the verge of qualifying for their second consecutive UEFA Europa League final. To do so, Unai Emery’s side will need to hold on to their 3-0 first leg advantage against Fiorentina.
The Andalusian outfit can keep their outstanding away record going in Florence, having not lost in the knockout stages of this competition (two wins and a draw). Also, the tie will be Sevilla’s first-ever visit to the Artemio Franchi in UEFA competitions.
Away from in the knockout stages Sevilla’s first away trip came against Mönchengladbach in the last 32, where they won 2-3 in the second leg to seal their spot in the next round. They then went to El Madrigal where they downed Villarreal CF 1-3. Their last away tie in the Europa League was in the quarters against Zenit in Saint Petersburg. They secured a 2-2 draw that saw them into the last four. A step away from keeping their unbeaten run in European semifinals going
Unai Emery’s men are keeping with Sevilla’s history in the competition, given they have never lost a Europa League semifinal tie. Their first semi came in the 2005/06 season against Schalke 04, when they won thanks to an Antonio Puerta goal in extra time in extra time of the second leg at the Sánchez Pizjuán having drawn 0-0 away from home in the first leg. A year later they made the same stage, and this time they faced Osasuna. The side from Navarre won the first leg 1-0, however Sevilla turned it around in the second leg, winning 2-0.
The last time they got to the last four was last season, also against a Spanish opponent. On this occasion it was Valencia, and it was a ripsnorter of a game. Sevilla won the first leg 2-0, however were trailing 3-0 in the second leg until Stéphane M’Bia became a hero as he scored in added time to book their place in the final.
© LALIGA - 2015