Sevilla travelled to Fiorentina for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
The visitors entered the match as the strong favourites to advance courtesy of a 3-0 victory in the first leg in Seville last Thursday.
That aggregate lead stood at 5-0 at the interval in Florence courtesy of goals from Carlos Bacca and Daniel Carrico.
Fiorentina had the chance to get their name on the scoresheet from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, but Josip Ilicic fired his effort over the crossbar.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Europa League coverage continues from Florence as Fiorentina welcome Sevilla for the second leg of their semi-final. It is a massive ask for the home side, who currently trail 3-0 from the first leg. They will need a monumental effort to stop Sevilla reaching another European final.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
FIORENTINA: Neto; Gonzalo, Savic, Basanta, Alonso; Pizarro, Valero, Fernandez; Salah, Ilicic, Joaquin
SEVILLA: Rico; Coke, Carrico, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Kryochowiak, Mbia; Vidal, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca
So there we have it. Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has rung the changes from the first leg, with Jose Maria Basanta, David Pizarro and Josip Ilicic all coming into the XI. Milan Badelj and Mario Gomez have both dropped to the bench, but Joaquin and on-loan Chelsea attacker Mohamed Salah keep their spots.
As for Sevilla, head coach Unai Emery has recalled skipper Coke, meaning that Aleix Vidal, who scored twice in the first leg, has moved further forward. Vitolo also starts in a wide position, while leading scorer Carlos Bacca has been given the nod in attack, with Kevin Gameiro among the substitutes here.
Somewhat surprisingly, last week's meeting in Seville was the first time that these two teams had met in European competition. Fiorentina had a number of chances to score at the Estadio Ramon, but a double from Aleix Vidal and a late Kevin Gameiro effort secured a 3-0 win for Sevilla. It is a big ask for the Italians here, but as we often see, anything can happen in football. Let's hope for a cracking game.
In total, Fiorentina have won four of their six European semi-finals, but they lost on their last appearance at this stage (penalties to Scottish side Rangers in the 2007-08 UEFA Cup). The Italian side have also never won this competition, with their most recent-up runners-up medal arriving in 1990.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are looking to win the Europa League for the fourth time and indeed in successive seasons, having overcome Benfica in the 2014 final. The La Liga side have also lifted the trophy on each occasion that they have made it to this stage and they are looking very strong for another European final, which will be against either Dnipro or Napoli, who are currently level at 1-1 from the first leg.
Fiorentina's record against Spanish clubs in European competition is quite poor – winning just two of their 13 games and losing seven times in the process. That said, Sevilla have only won one of their five meetings with Italian opposition and have never won on Italian soil. A Fiorentina victory is of course very possible this evening in Florence, but by three clear goals or more? I am just not sure.
Just once has a team recovered from a three-goal deficit in a Europa League tie and that involved Valencia, who overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit against Basel by winning 5-0 in the second leg. That came in the quarter-finals of the 2013-14 campaign, but as expected, it is not a usual occurrence.
Fiorentina's home record in this season's Europa League has been pretty strong – winning three of their six games and losing just once in the process. Sevilla, however, are unbeaten away from home in this season's knockout stage – winning twice and drawing once. It must be said that the atmosphere is really building inside the stadium with little over 30 minutes until kickoff in Florence.
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In terms of their route to this stage of the competition, Fiorentina topped Group K ahead of Guingamp – finishing on 13 points. They won all three of their away games in the group stages – scoring six times in the process. In the round of 32, Fiorentina were handed a tough draw against much-fancied Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italian side picked up a 1-1 draw in the first leg, however, before winning 2-0 in Florence to advance into the last-16, where Roma were waiting. Again, Fiorentina entered as underdogs, but they drew the first leg 1-1 at home, before recording an incredible 3-0 victory in Rome to make the quarter-finals.
Dynamo Kiev were waiting in the quarters and once again, the first leg finished 1-1. Fiorentina's away goal made them favourites ahead of the return leg and a 2-0 victory booked their spot in the semi-finals. You just get the feeling that an early goal will need to arrive this evening if the hosts are to stand a chance.
Sevilla, meanwhile, finished second behind Feyenoord in Group G - collecting 11 points from their six matches. The Spanish side then drew German opposition in the shape of Borussia Monchengladbach, who are currently third in the Bundesliga, in the first knockout round and advanced 4-2 on aggregate.
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La Liga rivals Villarreal were waiting in the final 16, but it was fairly straight-forward for Emery's side, who won 3-1 away and 2-1 at home to comfortably ease into the final eight of the competition. Zenit St Petersburg were next up in the quarters and Sevilla drew the second leg 2-2 to progress 4-3 on aggregate.
What about form in general? Well, Fiorentina have lost three of their last five games in all competitions, but they did record a 3-2 victory at Empoli in the league on Sunday. As a result, Vincenzo Montella's side are fifth in Serie A on 55 points – five points behind fourth-place Napoli with three games of the season remaining. It is a big ask at this stage to make the top four in Italy.
Fiorentina are two-time winners of Serie A (1955-56 and 1968-69), but they have not won a major trophy since the 2000-01 season, when they lifted the Coppa Italia. They also finished as runners-up in the Champions League in the 1956-57 season, but success in this season's Europa League would be a major achievement.
Sevilla, meanwhile, also face a battle to finish in the top four in their domestic table. As it stands, they are fifth in La Liga on 70 points – three points behind fourth-place Valencia with two games remaining. The remainder of the Spanish season had been thrown into doubt due to a planned strike this weekend, but that has now been lifted and Unai Emery's side will indeed host struggling Almeria on Sunday.
Sevilla lost 3-2 at home to Real Madrid on May 2, but that is their only defeat in their last 18 matches in all competitions. At the weekend, they picked up a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo and were able to rest a number of players in the process. Just a reminder that winning the Europa League this time around does secure a position in next season's Champions League. Just about time for my pre-match prediction from Florence.
PREDICTION! Fiorentina have more than enough about them to win tonight, but I am finding it very difficult to predict them overturning the 3-0 deficit from the first leg. Sevilla are still undervalued in my opinion - they are a very, very good team. I am actually going to back a 1-1 draw, Sevilla 4-1 on aggregate.
Here are some pre-match thoughts from Sevilla boss Unai Emery: "I don't want to talk percentages. I know we are 50% there, but I want to see our real chances. We know Fiorentina are a good team. We may have beaten them in the first leg, but we cannot take it for granted that we'll beat them again," he told UEFA.com.
Here we go then. Both sets of players are ready to join us on the field. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. If Fiorentina can score an early goal this evening then who knows!
Just a reminder that 3-0 Fiorentina after 90 minutes is the only score that would bring extra-time in this second leg. It is the away side that get the first period underway inside this wonderful stadium.
Sevilla are on the attack in the opening moments as Vidal races down the right before feeding Bacca and the striker wins the first corner of the game. Not the positive start that Fiorentina would have wanted!
CHANCE! Sevilla come close to scoring inside the opening two minutes as a well-worked corner leads to Vitolo finding space inside the box, but there are no takers on his low cross. What a start!
It has been an entertaining opening four minutes, and Fiorentina have just started to settle following that dangerous Sevilla opening. Borja Valero strikes one from a wide angle, but his effort is too high.
CHANCE! First real sight for the home side as Ilicic sets up Salah inside the Sevilla box, but the attacker's effort is blocked by Carrico. Good pressure from the home side at the moment in Florence.
Sevilla want a penalty as Vidal goes down inside the box under a late challenge, but the referee is not interested. Both teams are threatening at the moment and it is a dangerous game for Fiorentina as it stands.
Well, it has not exactly been a quiet opening 10 minutes. Fiorentina have to press forward, but one goal for Sevilla would surely, surely kill this tie. The home supporters are staying with their team at the moment, which is so important at this stage of the game. Sevilla still lead this semi-final 3-0 on aggregate.
Nervy defending from Kryochowiak as the Sevilla midfielder slices just behind his own crossbar following a cross from the left. Fiorentina deliver the resulting corner, but Bacca is on hand to head clear.
Fiorentina come close once again as Pizarro strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner, which is also dealt with. Sevilla are being forced to defend their own area here.
Valero has been involved for Fiorentina in the last couple of minutes, but the midfielder is frustrated when he is penalised for handball outside the Sevilla box. Still goalless on the night in Florence here.
Ilicic strikes one from outside the Sevilla box, but his effort was always rising.
SAVE! Wonderful chance for the home side to open the scoring as Gonzalo meets a corner from Ilicic, but Rico is on hand to make a quite brilliant save. How has Gonzalo's header not gone in?!
Fiorentina are the team pressing at the moment, but Sevilla are remaining strong at the back.
Sevilla are still threatening, but Bacca has been caught offside on a couple of occasions. The visitors do not need to break forward such is their 3-0 lead, but a fourth would kill off Fiorentina's challenge. The referee is more than likely getting closer to issuing a yellow here as the challenges continue to arrive.
BOOKING! Pizarro (Fiorentina) is booked for a late challenge on Vidal.
GOAL! Fiorentina 0-1 Sevilla (Bacca)
And that is tie over. Sevilla take the lead on the night and open up a four-goal lead on aggregate as Bacca converts from close range following a dangerous free kick from Banega. Sevilla heading for the final!
Fiorentina will have to keep pressing forward - their fans will demand it - but this tie is over. Fiorentina need at least five goals and that is without Sevilla scoring again. Massive, massive ask.
Fiorentina need to be really careful here as their frustration threatens to boil over. Salah gets himself involved with Coke, but the referee is on hand to cool the situation. There are some whistles inside the stadium, but the majority are still backing Fiorentina. Little over 15 minutes of the first half to play.
BOOKING! Savic (Fiorentina) is booked for a foul on Bacca.
GOAL! Fiorentina 0-2 Sevilla (Carrico)
Sevilla score a second in the 28th minute as Carrico converts from close range after Coke had cushioned a low cross into the box. Again, it is really poor defending from the home side and questions will need to be asked. Both goals have been fairly similar and the home supporters are really not pleased now!
Sevilla fans can start booking their tickets to Warsaw for the final on May 27.
SAVE! Sevilla goalkeeper Rico is once again forced into action to tip a rising strike from Pizarro over the crossbar. I tell you what, this young Spanish stopper is a very exciting prospect.
In truth, it must be tough for the Fiorentina players on the field. They know this tie is over, but they have to keep pushing forward to keep their pride in tact. Sevilla, meanwhile, can enjoy the game here.
Fiorentina are still probing in the final third, but there are no takers on a cross from Joaquin and Sevilla are able to threaten down the other end. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
BOOKING! Banega (Sevilla) is booked for a poor challenge on Pizarro.
Just a reminder that the other semi-final between Dnipro and Napoli is taking place this evening and the score is level at 1-1, with Dnipro having the away goal. Fiorentina possession at the moment in Florence.
Decent pressure from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Salah has an effort blocked after dancing into the box, before Fernandez fires over the crossbar from a wide angle.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to score a third as Banega sets up Coke inside the Fiorentina box, but the right-back can only fire over the crossbar! More poor defending from Fiorentina there.
Sevilla are playing on the counter at the moment and it is a tactic that is working extremely well. Salah again tries his luck for the home side outside the box, but his effort was always swerving wide.
Good work from Neto in the Fiorentina goal as he departs his penalty box to clear a through pass from Banega. We are approaching the interval of this second leg and Sevilla have a 5-0 aggregate lead here.
Fiorentina have a free kick just outside the Sevilla box as Mbia fells Salah...
... Ilicic takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is over the crossbar.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute.
HALF-TIME: Fiorentina 0-2 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sevilla leading 2-0 on the night and now 5-0 on aggregate. Fiorentina need six goals without reply to turn this around and in truth, it is safe to assume that will not happen. More frustration for Fiorentina on this warm night in Florence.
STATS! The home side have dominated the possession with 62%, while they have had 14 attempts, but just two of those have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have hit the target with three of their four attempts and scored from two of them. There have also been three bookings - two for Fiorentina and one for Sevilla.
BENCH WATCH! Fiorentina boss Montella has a couple of obvious attacking options on his bench this evening, with Gomez and Badelj both available, as is Aquilani. Sevilla, meanwhile, have the likes of Gameiro, Iborra, Reyes and Suarez on what is a strong bench. Will there be any changes at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Fiorentina are playing for pride in this second half. Will Sevilla inflict more misery? The hosts resume the action here.
SUB! Fiorentina have made a change at the break with Pasqual replacing Basanta.
It has been a decent start to the second period from the home side, with Valero winning a free kick from Coke down the right. A half-chance arrives when Fernandez delivers his free kick towards the near post, but Bacca manages to head behind for a corner. The home supporters will want to see a reaction here.
It is a strange game for Sevilla. Do they attack? Or do they sit back and defend? Only an absolute freak occurrence will stop them making the final. Possession football for the hosts at the moment here.
BOOKING! Valero (Fiorentina) is booked for diving inside the Sevilla box.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the home side are looking the most likely to add to the scoring here. Pride is up for grabs for Fiorentina, nothing else though.
SAVE! Another wonderful save from Rico as the Sevilla goalkeeper gets down to deny Salah, who had fired one towards the bottom corner. You cannot say that the home side have not had opportunities!
SUB! Sevilla make their first change as Iborra replaces Banega.
Salah has looked the most likely for the home team tonight, but it has again been a game of frustration for the Italian outfit. Sevilla continue to threaten on the counter and may well grab a third here.
Possession football for the home side at the moment as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Sevilla are quite comfortable it must be said. When Fiorentina have broken through, Rico has been on hand to make a number of smart saves. Little over 30 minutes of this second leg remaining here.
Fernandez heads over the Sevilla crossbar from close range as the score remains 2-0 Sevilla.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to score a third as Bacca drives into the Fiorentina box before squaring to Vidal, who would have had a tap-in, but the pass was just too strong!
Fiorentina are straight down the other end and force two corners in quick succession, but Ilicic has a strike cleared over the crossbar, before Rico claims the second. Still 5-0 to Sevilla on aggregate.
Vidal again uses his pace to drive past Alonso and square to Bacca, but the striker cannot release a clean strike and Fiorentina have a goal kick. Sevilla are such a threat on the counter attack here.
Pizarro fires well wide of the post as another chance comes and goes for Fiorentina.
Salah, Fiorentina's best player tonight, has another one deflected wide of the post as the home side continue to threaten. In truth, the hosts do deserve a goal for their efforts over the two legs.
PENALTY FIORENTINA!
The home side are awarded a penalty as Krychowiak brings Pizarro to the ground inside the box.
OVER! Ilicic fires his penalty over the crossbar! Terrible! Sums up Fiorentina's semi-final!
SUB! Fiorentina make their second change as Badelj replaces Fernandez.
Ilicic has another strike blocked as Sevilla prepare to make their second change here.
SUB! Sevilla make their second change as Gameiro replaces Bacca.
Badelj tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but Rico is again across to make a decent save. How Fiorentina have not scored over these two legs thus far is quite staggering.
SUB! Sevilla make their third and final change as Reyes replaces Vitolo.
As it stands, Sevilla will be facing Dnipro in the final. However, Napoli need just one goal to level that semi-final on aggregate and indeed away goals. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining here.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side are on the front foot. In fairness to the Fiorentina supporters, they have stayed with their team this evening.
Salah continues to threaten for the home side as he dances into the Sevilla box before finding Ilicic, but once again Rico is down to make the save. The Sevilla goalkeeper has had an excellent night.
Not too much from Sevilla in terms of attacking intent at the moment, which is not that surprising. This tie was over last week and a couple of goals for the visitors have added gloss to the score tonight.
Decent noise around the stadium at the moment, which is very good to see. Fiorentina are still working the ball into the Sevilla box, but Rico in the away side's goal has had a really excellent night.
SUB! Fiorentina make their third change as Lazzari replaces Valero.
Mario Gomez is still sitting on the Fiorentina bench and will not play a part this evening, which does seem very strange. Sevilla currently have possession inside the Fiorentina half with 88 minutes played.
Gameiro fires high and wide of the crossbar after finding space inside the box.
Not too much happening at the moment as we head for additional time in Florence.
The fourth official indicates that we will play two added minutes.
Those inside the stadium continue to sing their hearts out for Fiorentina.
FULL-TIME: Fiorentina 0-2 Sevilla
SEVILLA MAKE THE 2015 EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL!
So there we have it. Sevilla have the chance to win back-to-back Europa Leagues after progressing to the final 5-0 on aggregate. In truth, they were always too strong for Fiorentina over the two legs. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to stay with us for the reaction. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
