Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Europa League semi-final first leg between tournament favourites Napoli and surprise package Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at the Stadio San Paolo. We have already seen two cracking European semi-finals in the Champions League this week, and hopefully we are in for more of the same tonight as both of these sides look to take another step towards the final in Warsaw on May 27. Let's start with a look at the hosts...

Napoli come into this tie with most people expecting them to progress through to the final, but they will be wary of underestimating Dnipro as other teams have perhaps been guilty of in the knockout rounds. In Rafael Benitez, Napoli have as experienced a manager in these situations as they could hope for, with the Spaniard having won Europe's secondary competition twice before, in addition to the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005.

Benitez has established a reputation as a specialist in Europe, and it is certainly a deserved one. He has not lost any of his last 24 European home games as a manager, remaining unbeaten throughout his time with Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli in those matches. His last continental defeat at home came all the way back in 2009, when Fiorentina - who Napoli could meet in the final of this year's tournament, incidentally - beat his Liverpool side 2-1. He has won 20 and drawn four of his home European games since then, which is a remarkable record. Speculation continues to mount that he could leave in the summer, with a return to England being touted, but Napoli are likely to want to keep him.

While success continues to arrive on the European front for Benitez, it is domestically that he has typically struggled during his managerial career. That is the case again this season, with the Europa League now their most likely route into the Champions League next season. Napoli currently sit four points adrift of the final Champions League spot, currently occupied by third-placed Lazio, with just four games remaining. It would probably take a perfect end to the season, in addition to a couple of favours from Lazio, for them to sneak into the top three.

That is not entirely out of the question, however, with Napoli starting to find form at a crucial moment of the season. Whether or not it proves to be too late only time will tell, but they are at least giving it a go, with just one defeat in their last seven matches in all competitions. They have won five of those and scored 21 in the process at an average of three per game, so it hasn't been a case of Benitez sneaking narrow victories here and there. That run follows a damaging spell of just one win in nine, which goes to show just how much Napoli have improved in recent weeks.

Goalscoring has been their main weapon so far this season, with only Juventus and Lazio having registered more in the league and no team managing more than their 25 in this competition. They certainly have the goals in them to cause any side problems, but it is at the other end of the field where they have been let down this season. They have conceded 43 times in Serie A alone, which is the worst defensive record in the top nine of the table.

That defensive record hasn't halted their progress in the Europa League, though, with Napoli unbeaten in their last nine games in this competitions and having only lost one of their 12 outings this season. They were beaten by Bilbao in the Champions League playoff to drop into Europe's secondary tournament, but have since gone on to top Group I before victories over Trabzonspor, Dynamo Moscow and a particularly impressive 6-3 aggregate triumph over Wolfsburg brought them to this stage. They effectively sealed that Wolfsburg tie in the first leg, and no doubt they will be looking to do the same again tonight.

This has been a long time coming for Napoli, who haven't been in the last four of a European tournament for 26 years, since the Diego Maradona era. They have had plenty of highs and lows since that golden period in the club's history, but this current crop of players is certainly capable of winning honours and this is their best chance to do so for some time. Having the first leg at home is often seen as a minor disadvantage, but Napoli are unbeaten in their last 12 European home matches and have won five of their six home games in the Europa League this season.

That is the task ahead of Dnipro this evening, but they will come into the game without fear. They are undoubtedly the underdogs of the four teams left in the competition but, having dispatched the likes of Olympiacos, Ajax and Club Brugge on their way to the semi-finals, they will fancy their chances of going all the way. Napoli, and indeed the other pair of Sevilla and Fiorentina, are probably another step up from the sides they have already beaten, but they have risen to every challenge so far.

It is something of a surprise that Dnipro have reached the last four, if only for their record along the way, which is far from impressive. They only just scraped through the group stages, finishing second behind Inter Milan and just one point above Qarabag with three defeats from their six group games. They beat Olympiacos fairly comfortably in the last 32 before needing extra time and away goals to sneak past Ajax. Then, in the last round, only an 82nd-minute goal in the second leg saw them past Club Brugge in a tight affair.

All in all, Dnipro have only won six of their 14 Europa League games this season, drawing four and losing four. They actually began in the Champions League qualification process, like Napoli, but dropped out in the third qualifying stage following defeat to Copenhagen. It means that they have had the longest journey to this stage than any of the semi-finalists having played 16 European games already this season.

The big concern for tonight will be Dnipro's away record in the competition. They have reached the last four in spite of their form on the road, rather than because of it. They are winless in their last four Europa League away games and have only emerged victorious once on the road in their last nine, drawing four and losing four in that time. That solitary victory proved important in the group stages, coming away to Qarabag, but failure to improve on that record here could see them out of the tie at the halfway stage.

The main reason for backing Dnipro tonight, however, would be their impeccable defensive record of late. Despite their patchy record in this competition of late, they have kept five clean sheets in their last seven outings, while in all competitions they have kept seven in their last 10, conceding just three goals. They have only conceded more than one goal in a game twice since the turn of the year, and one of those included extra time. Both did come in the Europa League, however, which should give Napoli some encouragement.

Their general form is decent coming into this match, which just one defeat in their last 10 outings, and that coming against Shakhtar in the semi-finals of the Ukraine Cup. They have only been beaten twice in all competitions since the turn of the year, winning 12 of their 17 matches in that time, while away from home they are unbeaten in five and have only lost once in 2015. Their defensive record is just as impressive on the road too, with three clean sheets in a row and only one goal conceded in their ongoing five-game unbeaten streak.

The current crop of players are breaking new ground for the club tonight, with this being Dnipro's first ever appearance in the semi-finals of a European competition. They did twice reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup, but never before have they made it this far in a continental competition. The challenge for Myron Markevych now is to ensure that his side don't settle for that and push for a maiden final too. They are certainly underdogs to do that, but they are the type of team that will relish that role.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the headline is that Gonzalo Higuain leads the line for an unchanged Napoli side from the weekend victory over AC Milan. As for the visitors, Konoplyanka returns to the starting lineup, while Nikola Kalinic starts up front. In all, the visitors have made two changes to the side that beat Club Brugge in the last round, with Kalinic and Fedorchuk coming in. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

NAPOLI STARTING XI: Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Lopez, Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne; Higuain

NAPOLI SUBS: Rafael, Henrique, Mertens, Gabbiadini, Koulibaly, Gargano, Inler

DNIPRO STARTING XI: Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Matos; Fedorchuk, Kankava, Luchkevych, Rotan, Konoplyanka; Kalinic

DNIPRO SUBS: Vlad, Seleznyov, Lastuvka, Bezus, Gama, Svatok, Matheus

What can we make of those sides, then? Well, Napoli's main dangerman this evening will be Gonzalo Higuain, who is the top scorer left in this competition with seven goals to his name. He has plenty of experience at the top level from his days with Real Madrid and has been one of Napoli's star performers so far this season, so they will look to him to break down what is sure to be a stubborn Dnipro rearguard tonight. The Argentine has plenty of responsibility on his shoulders but, having scored at the weekend against AC Milan, comes into the match in good form.

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He will be supported by the trio of Callejon, Hamsik and Insigne, who can be an exciting trio when all on form. Their role tonight will be particularly important if, as expected, Dnipro's main priority is to defend and stop the hosts from playing. Hamsik, like Higuain, was on the scoresheet on Sunday, while Callejon has impressed in Naples since his switch from Spain. That trio are a big reason why Napoli have scored so many goals this season.

Speaking of goals, it is something of a surprise to see Gabbiadini left on the bench once again this evening. He completed the scoring against Milan at the weekend and has four goals in his last five games, in addition to two in four Europa League matches this season. He can be a real threat in attack, but at the same time it is easy to see why Benitez has opted to keep changes to a minimum. His side may have been assisted by a first-minute red card on Sunday, but any 3-0 win over Milan is one to remember. All of the goals came in a six-minute spell too, no doubt conjuring up memories for Benitez of when Liverpool also did that against Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.

The hosts remain unchanged at the back too, with Jorginho and David Lopez sitting in front of Maggio, Albiol, Britos and Ghoulam. Maggio is the only one of those who didn't play in the second-leg 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg in the last round, but he has been Napoli's first-choice full-back this season and was always expected to continue on the right side of the defence this evening.

As for Dnipro, their dangerman will be Konoplyanka, who has drawn plenty of interest from the Premier League in recent seasons. The winger struggled a little at the start of the current campaign, but the feeling in Ukraine is that he is just starting to return to his best, with good performances against Club Brugge and Ajax in the last two rounds. He should be fresh for tonight too having been left out of the side that beat Chornomorets Odessa at the weekend.

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Up front is Nikola Kalinic, who comes into this match in good form having scored twice in that win on Sunday. He was not included against Club Brugge in the last round but is preferred to Seleznyov tonight, with the latter having to settle for a place on the bench. Also on the bench in Matheus, who has been struggling with a back injury recently and is not deemed quite fit enough to start by Markevych.

In midfield there is a return for Fedorchuk, who missed the last round through suspension but is back available now. In between the sticks, meanwhile, Dnipro have an in-form goalkeeper in Boyko. He has just broken through onto the international scene and boasts an impressive clean sheet record in recent weeks, but he would have rarely come up against a striker of Higuain's quality, so it will be interesting to see how he copes with that challenge.

PREDICTION: We're 15 minutes away from kickoff in Naples now, so it is time I made a prediction for tonight's match! The two Champions League semi-finals earlier this week bucked the trend when it comes to cagey first legs, but this is likely to be a less open affair. Dnipro are likely to approach the match looking to still be in the tie come the final whistle tonight, and it may turn out to be a case of Napoli trying to break their visitors down. I think they should be able to, though, and an early goal could make things a little more interesting. I'm going for a 2-0 home win.

These two sides actually met each other in the Europa League group stages back in 2012-13, with both picking up a home victory on that occasion. Edinson Cavani was the star of the show here at the Stadio San Paolo, scoring all of his side's goals in a 4-2 victory, while he was also on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture. His goal wasn't enough on that occasion, however, as Dnipro ran out 3-1 winners.

Aside from that, Napoli have never faced a Ukrainian side in European competition, but Dnipro do have further experience against Italian teams. They haven't fared too well, however, losing their last five matches against Italian opposition, including both of their meetings with Inter Milan in this year's group stages. Their win at home to Napoli is the only time they have beaten an Italian team.

Interestingly, Myron Markevych has rated his side's chances of progressing from this tie as just 40%, giving Napoli the status as favourites. Whether that is a ploy to make his side think they are underdogs fighting against the odds only he will know, but he will no doubt be hoping that Napoli underestimate his side. Benitez has insisted that the hosts won't do that, but Dnipro have pulled off a few shocks already this season.

Dnipro's style of play can perhaps best be summed up by the fact that they have conceded more fouls and picked up more yellow cards than any other side in this season's competition, with their success up to this point very much being built on defensive stability. It should also be noted that they have been on the end of the most fouls and have the most fouled played in Konoplyanka, so we could be in for a scrappy affair tonight.

Napoli, and indeed Fiorentina in the other semi-final, are looking to restore Italian pride in this competition, much like Juventus have done in the Champions League this season. Italian clubs have won either the UEFA Cup on the Europa League nine times, which is the most of any nation, but they haven't lifted the trophy yet this century. Parma were the last to do so in 1998-99, and Spain are quickly catching the Italians with eight victorious clubs.

Sevilla are in the mix to add to that tally this season, and their match against Fiorentina will also kickoff in a couple of minutes. You can find live coverage of that semi-final first leg here as they bid to face either Napoli or Dnipro in the final later this month.

As expected, there is a great atmosphere inside the Stadio San Paolo as we approach kickoff here. It has been a long time since these fans saw a European semi-final, and they are certainly making their voices heard.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! The Europa League semi-finals are underway as Napoli begin this first leg against Dnipro. We're all set for a very intriguing affair here.

Napoli have made a quick, bright start to this match. They are immediately looking to get onto the front foot and have spent the majority of the opening few minutes camped in the Dnipro half.

Good early break from Napoli as they play the ball out from the back well before the ball is clipped over the top for Maggio. The right-back is beyond the last defender, but he can't quite race away and eventually goes to ground far too easily.

Half a chance for the hosts as a long ball forward finds Insigne inside the box, and he takes it down brilliantly before putting a ball in towards Higuain. The defence can only clear it as far as Callejon, who slices his effort nowhere near the target. Not an easy opening for the Spaniard, but a sight of goal nonetheless.

Napoli have dominated the ball in these opening exchanges, which is probably the pattern the vast majority of tonight's match will follow. Dnipro are likely to rely on counters and set pieces, allowing Napoli to see most of the ball.

OFF THE POST! The hosts are inches away from breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion! Insigne controls the ball around 25 yards from goal and it sits up perfectly for the volley. Insigne strikes his dipping effort well and it just clips the post on its way behind, with Boyko seemingly thinking it was going a little further past his upright than that.

CHANCE! Again Napoli come forward, with Callejon making ground down the right flank this time. He drills a low ball into the box that is behind Higuain, who tries a cheeky flick but can't connect properly. From the resulting corner, Hamsik rises highest, but can't keep his header down.

Dnipro are refusing to be dragged too far from their goal when Napoli have the ball, with the home defence knocking it about between themselves trying to entice the visitors out.

Absolutely no attacking intent from the visitors there as they get the ball and hoist an aimless long ball forward. It is nowhere near Kalinic, who doesn't chase it down in favour of getting back into position behind the ball.

Benitez will be happy with his side's start to this match. They have completely bossed possession and have managed to get in behind the defence a few times, despite the visitors sitting back. Still no goals, but Napoli will be encouraged.

Scrappy period of the match as the referee awards a couple of soft free kicks in quick succession, one for either side.

In fairness to the official, this isn't a very easy match to referee at the moment. There is a lot of play-acting going on, which is preventing this match from getting into any sort of rhythm at the moment. That suits Dnipro, but is doing no favours for this one as a spectacle.

CHANCE! Decent opening for the hosts as Higuain picks out a brilliant pass down the left channel having drifted out onto the wing. Insigne has made the forward run to meet it, but the angle is against him and he can only poke it past the near post under pressure from Boyko.

SAVE! Dnipro finally have a meaningful effort as Kankava lets fly from range, forcing Andujar into a fairly routine stop to put it past the post.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match goes to Kankava, who lunged in to stop a Napoli counter-attack. No complaints with that one.

Napoli are getting a bit of joy down the flanks now, with Ghoulam having a couple of crossing opportunities in quick succession and Maggio keeping the dangerous Konoplyanka pinned back on the opposite wing. Still the hosts are in control of this one.

Dnipro have just not offered any attacking threat whatsoever in this match so far. We expected them to sit back, but they haven't even looked to break on the counter too much and seem to have already settled for a 0-0 draw.

Kalinic has a thankless task up front for Dnipro. He is getting increasingly isolated, with Napoli's marauding full-backs preventing the likes of Konoplyanka getting up in support.

Napoli have put in a number of crosses in the last 10 minutes or so, but that is playing into the hands of Dnipro. Douglas in particular has made a lot of clearances already, with Higuain not getting a sniff of any of those deliveries.

Napoli got into a number of good positions in the opening exchanges and created a few decent chances, but there has been nothing for them for a while now. Dnipro's tactics aren't exactly great to watch, but they are defending really well as a unit at the moment.

Konoplyanka has had two chances to show his attacking ability so far, and on both occasions he has shown dangerous glimpses with good dribbles. This latest occasion comes as part of sustained Dnipro pressure, the first time they have managed it tonight, but Kalinic wastes the best chance of the period when he can't get enough on his header. Better from the visitors, though.

Dnipro are beginning to see a bit more of the ball inside the Napoli half right now, and the home fans are making their displeasure known. It has been a largely frustrating half for the Italians so far.

Napoli have tried a number of long balls over the top of the defence so far tonight, but again it is relatively simple for the two centre-backs to deal with. Someone in blue needs to come up with a creative spark here as the hosts look out of ideas at the moment.

Napoli have a rare chance to break, with Dnipro's defence finally looking a little open. However, the hosts waste that opportunity as Jorginho over-hits a pass out of play, much to the annoyance of the fans inside the Stadio San Paolo.

By the standards of this match, this is a chance for Higuain. Dnipro initially deal with a corner, but Napoli win the ball back in a decent position and lift it back into the middle. Higuain has made yet another run behind the defence, but he can't get enough on his flicked header to trouble the keeper. Not an easy chance at all.

There will be just the one minute of added time at the end of this first half.

Well, Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich it isn't but this one is shaping up to be intriguing in its own way. That first half went much the way we were expecting, with Napoli dominating possession and Dnipro spending the majority of their time defending. There was little to shout about in truth, with most of the action coming in the opening 20 minutes or so.

It was Napoli who started the brighter, beginning the match at a really good tempo and managing to get in behind Dnipro with a decent degree of regularity. The closest we have come to a goal came from Insigne, who sent a fine volley towards goal that clipped the outside of the post on its way behind. Boyko looked like he thought he had it covered, but it ended up being closer than he thought.

Shortly after that Napoli had another two openings as first Callejon advanced down the right before drilling a low ball in towards Higuain, who just couldn't get enough on his attempted flick to turn it goalwards. From the resulting corner, Hamsik rose highest to nod an effort towards goal, but he couldn't keep it down.

Insigne had another sight of goal midway through the half when his forward run was found by a clever reverse pass from Higuain, but Boyko was out quickly to meet the attacker and close the angle. Insigne tried to poke it underneath the keeper, but could only send his effort a few yards wide the near post.

That was the last of the goalmouth action, with a long-range Kankava effort the only attacking moment of note for the visitors in the opening 45 minutes. It was a fairly dull final 20 minutes to the half, it must be said, but Dnipro are carrying out their gameplan well and would be delighted to come away from this match with a goalless draw. It would be nice to see a little more attacking intent from them, though.

KICKOFF: Dnipro get us back underway for the second half as they look to hold on to this scoreline and take a slight advantage back to the Ukraine for next week's second leg.

Cagey start to this second half as the game quickly returns to the rhythm of the end of the first. Napoli need to inject a bit of pace into proceedings here - the onus is very much on them.

Napoli have their breakthrough! It looked unlikely that it would come from open play, and sure enough it comes from a corner moments after Hamsik had lifted a cross into a dangerous position. The delivery from the corner is a good one and David Lopez rises highest at the near post to nod it home. Fedorchuk on the line should have done better, but Napoli won't care one bit.

Suddenly, the whole atmosphere inside the stadium has changed. The crowd were growing frustrated but are now urging their side on, while Napoli themselves have more of a spring in their step. A second goal would really open things up a bit now.

SHOT! Napoli go in search of the second, with Higuain taking the ball down inside the box but not being able to get a shot away. Eventually the ball breaks to David Lopez on the edge, but his effort is tame and comfortably wide.

CHANCE! Huge chance for Napoli to get a second as they finally manage to play through Dnipro. Higuain darts behind the defence and gets on the end of a lovely through-ball from Hamsik, only to see his low effort saved by Boyko. That is a big stop from the Dnipro keeper!

CLOSE! The resulting corner causes the visitors more problems, with the ball coming off a Dnipro head and looping onto the roof of the net.

DNIPRO SUB: The visitors make the first change of the match as Bruno Gama replaces Luchkevych.

Napoli are looking really dangerous right now. Higuain does brilliantly on the left before firing a low cross right into the corridor of uncertainty. Callejon is waiting for a tap-in at the back post, but the ball is turned over just in time. The linesman's flag is raised against Callejon anyway.

SAVE! Higuain is really starting to have a big say on this game. He picks the ball up and drives forward into the area, holding off the challenge of Douglas all the way. He gets a decent shot away too, but Boyko makes a low save. Moments later, Maggio fires a long-range effort wide of the far post.

Napoli are really pushing for that second goal which would make a big difference to the tie right now. Dnipro are on the ropes a little and they need to decide whether or not to push for an away goal or try to keep the deficit at just one. Napoli are good away from home, which may have an impact on the visitors' decision in this final half an hour or so.

Napoli are causing Dnipro far more problems with crosses into the box than they were in the first half. This time it is Insigne who spins off his man, but he is a long way from goal and can't get enough power on his header to really endanger the Dnipro goal.

CHANCE! Another big chance for Napoli as Hamsik releases Higuain with a brilliant early pass over the top. Higuain is forced a little wide and turns back to see Callejon in support, but the Spaniard's effort is a really disappointing one. He should have at least hit the target there.

Yet again Napoli threaten, this time down the right. Maggio is a long way forward and latches on to a through-ball down the channel before playing a low cross just in front of Higuain. It rolls across the face of goal and to safety, with no blue shirts there to tap it home.

DNIPRO SUB: Another change for the visitors as Kankava makes way to be replaced by Roman Bezus. That is an attacking change from Dnipro.

Insigne looks to get the second goal in style, lining up an effort from range before hammering a shot over the bar. He never really looked set for that one, however, and it was never troubling the keeper.

NAPOLI SUB: David Lopez is the difference as things stand, but his evening is over as he makes way to be replaced by Walter Gargano.

SAVE! Insigne has another shooting opportunity and this time it is a better effort and he curls a low one towards the bottom corner. Boyko makes the save, but is fortunate that no blue shirts are following in having parried it back into a dangerous area.

CHANCE! Yet again Hamsik slides a lovely ball through for Higuain, whose movement is causing the Dnipro defence all sorts of problems. Once more, however, Boyke is out quickly and makes a fine stop to thwart the Argentine. It is turning into a fascinating duel between those two!

Dnipro have a rare chance to put Napoli under pressure with a free kick in a good crossing position, but Rotan's delivery is nodded away by Higuain. Napoli break quickly with five players bursting forward, but Maggio's ball is cut out to stem the attack.

NAPOLI SUB: Another change from Benitez as Manolo Gabbiadini replaces Callejon. Gabbiadini has scored plenty of goals in his short Napoli career already, and another tonight could have a decisive say on the tie.

CHANCE! Another chance for Higuain, but again Boyko makes the save! The ball arrives into the feet of the striker, who works a yard really well with a clever turn inside the area. He then lifts an effort looking to go over Boyko, who gets a fingertip to it to knock it over the bar.

DNIPRO SUB: This has not been an easy evening for Kalinic, but he is given a rest for the final 10 minutes. On comes Yevhen Seleznyov in his place.

Oh my word, out of nowhere Dnipro have the equaliser, and what an impact from Seleznyov! The sub scores with his first touch, sweeping in the ball at the back post following a low cross from Fedetskiy on the right flank. That is a huge away goal for Dnipro, who are on the verge of a smash-and-grab result here. There was a hint of offside about the goal, but the visitors don't care!

NAPOLI SUB: Benitez responds with an immediate change as Insigne is replaced by Dries Mertens for the closing stages of this one.

What can the hosts come up with in reply, then? They should be out of sight, both in this match and in the tie, after the chances they have created in this second half. As things stand, though, it is Dnipro who will take an advantage into the second leg courtesy of that away goal.

SAVE! Expect it to be one-way traffic now as Napoli look to restore their lead. Gargano has a shooting chance from range here, but his powerful effort takes a deflection and falls kindly into the arms of Boyko.

Dnipro are taking their time with everything now, as is expected. They know they are very fortunate to be level here and, having rode their luck for the majority of this second half, they are now on the verge of taking a brilliant result back to Dnipropetrovsk.

Here comes the pressure from Napoli, who win a string of corners in quick succession. None of the deliveries are good enough, however, and Dnipro hold out.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this first leg. Still time for late drama here!

Dnipro have the ball at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned right now. The relentless pressure we expected from Napoli in these closing stages hasn't yet materialised, and the visitors look like seeing this one out.

Wow, what a result that is for Dnipro as they hold out for a 1-1 draw in Naples, giving them the advantage for next week's second leg. David Lopez got Napoli's goal as the breakthrough finally came five minutes into the second half but, having survived a number of great chances for the hosts, Dnipro got their equaliser through Seleznyov. The sub scored with his first touch, sweeping home Fedetskiy's cross at the back post, although he appeared to be in an offside position.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Dnipro earn a smash-and-grab draw away to Napoli in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!