Sevilla Beats Overrated Internationale To Lift 2020 Europa Trophy
Sevilla FC shined on Friday night in a thrilling match when it defeated Internazionale by 3-2 in Cologne to secure a sixth Europa League title and maintain their perfect record in finals of the competition.
Former Manchester United forward, Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Internazionale shortly after kickoff, beating Sevilla keeper Bono after he was hauled down in the box by Diego Carlos to give Inter the early lead.
The positive response from the Sevilla team short-lived Internazionale’s happiness, as Luuk de Jong‘s bullet header in the 12th minute brought Sevilla level only for the Netherlands international to head home from an Ever Banega free kick a little over 20 minutes later to leave Inter trailing 2-1.
Headers dominated goals in the 2020 Europa League Final as Diego Godin met a Marcelo Brozovic cross from a free kick at the back post and evened the score, Inter enjoyed sigh of relief.
A very tough first half ended in 2-2 draw and the teams headed to the dressing room.
In the second half, Lukaku saw a golden chance to put Inter back in front from a breakaway in the 65th minute denied by an onrushing Bono to keep the score level.
Carlos became hero in the 74th minute when his overhead kick following a set piece took a deflection off of Lukaku and wound up in the back of the net to give Sevilla a 3-2 lead.
“This group deserve this. We’ve been fighting all season and getting over the problems that we’ve encountered,” said Sevilla right-back Jesus Navas, who won his third Europa League with Sevilla — 14 years after his first.
The introduction of three fresh players by Inter manager, Antonio Conte few minutes to the end of the game couldn’t safe Inter from the defeat. Antonio Conte brought in Christian Eriksen, Alexis Sanchez and Victor Moses in search of an equaliser that never came.
The loss extended Inter’s wait for a first European trophy since Jose Mourinho led the Italian club to the Champions League title in 2010. Meanwhile, Sevilla on the other hand have won the Europa League in four of the last seven seasons.
“I think Sevilla were more tired than us in the final part of the game but they had this chance, the ball was deflected by Romelu’s foot and went in. It happens,” goalkeeper Samir Handanovic said.
It was a joyful end of the season for Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, who won his first trophy as coach at senior level after a torrid period which saw him sacked by Spain and Real Madrid.
“You have to know how to cope with difficult moments and overcome them. This is a feeling of immense happiness,” Lopetegui said.
“I’m so grateful to our players for how hard they worked. Our anthem says we never give up and tonight we proved that again.”
Talking about his future at Inter, Conte said he would take some days off before meeting with the club’s ownership, he however didn’t rule out possibility of his exit.
“In a serene way we will try to plan the future of Inter with or without me, we’ll see …There is no resentment, there are perhaps different views and evaluations will be made.”
Conte’s occasional harshly outbursts have put him against Inter’s senior executives since taking over the reins in 2019.
“We’ll clarify the situation, without rancour, because I will always be grateful for having the chance to spend a great year at Inter, but on the other it was also very tough.”
