Sevilla and Inter Milan will meet in the 2020 Europa League final on Friday night, and it is set to be a fascinating battle between two teams in impressive form.
Inter booked their spot in the final courtesy of a 5-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, while Sevilla recorded a 2-1 win over Manchester United to advance to Friday's showpiece event.
Sevilla have won the UEFA Cup/Europa League on five previous occasions and will be looking to land the trophy for a record-extending sixth time in Germany.
Inter, meanwhile, are going in search of their first European silverware for 10 years, and there is a feeling that something special is happening under Antonio Conte at San Siro.
Here, Sports Mole picks out four key battles which are likely to occur in Cologne.
© Reuters
Diego Carlos (Sevilla) vs. Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Lukaku has enjoyed a terrific campaign for Inter, scoring 33 times in 50 appearances in all competitions, including six goals in five Europa League outings.
The Belgium international struck twice in the semi-finals against Shakhtar and could have a huge say in the final, with his pace and power expected to cause Sevilla a lot of problems.
In Diego Carlos, though, the Spanish outfit have a player capable of controlling the centre-forward. The Brazilian has been in terrific form for Julen Lopetegui's side this term, making 43 appearances in all competitions and attracting a host of interest, namely from Liverpool and Manchester City.
Carlos is fast, powerful and aggressive, and he will need to be at his best to deal with Lukaku's undoubted qualities on Friday night. Lautaro Martinez could also come up against his fellow South American, but Carlos is likely to be given the job of marking the former Manchester United striker in Germany.
© Reuters
Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) vs. Diego Godin (Inter Milan)
There remains a doubt surrounding the fitness of Lucas Ocampos, who limped out of his side's semi-final win over Man United, but the Argentine is expected to be available for the final, which would be a huge boost for Sevilla as a lot of their good work comes through him.
The 26-year-old has been in excellent form during the 2019-20 campaign, scoring 17 times and registering five assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, and he is expected to line up on the left of a front three.
As a result, Ocampos could be locked in a battle with Inter centre-back Diego Godin, who should feature on the right of a back three also involving Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni.
Still one of the best out-and-out defenders in European football, Godin has not missed a minute of his team's Europa League campaign, and the 34-year-old's battle with Ocampos could be absolutely vital in this match.
© Reuters
Fernando (Sevilla) vs. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan)
Fernando was terrific in Sevilla's semi-final over Man United last time out, boasting a pass success rate of 90%, while he also made five tackles and won two aerial battles. The 33-year-old will again have a huge role to play for Sevilla on Friday night as the deepest midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation.
The Brazilian could line up against Nicolo Barella, who will be looking to make things happen for Inter in the middle of the park. The 23-year-old, who has four goals and eight assists to his name this term, was particularly impressive against Shakhtar in the semi-finals.
Indeed, the Italian incredibly completed 36 of his 37 passes against the Ukrainian outfit, boasting a pass success rate of 97%. Once again expected to line up alongside Marcelo Brozovic and Roberto Gagliardini, Barella will be looking to dictate the play against Sevilla, while Fernando will be looking to do the opposite, hoping to spoil the Italian side's ability to move through the lines.
© Reuters
Jesus Navas (Sevilla) vs. Ashley Young (Inter Milan)
Due to line up at right-back and left wing-back respectively, it is set to be a fascinating battle between Sevilla's Jesus Navas and Inter's Ashley Young in the Europa League final.
Navas has been in brilliant form this season and provided the assist for Luuk de Jong to knock Man United out in the semi-finals of the competition on Sunday night.
Young, meanwhile, has also impressed since arriving at San Siro in January, scoring four times and providing five assists in 24 appearances in all competitions.
The 35-year-old will be expected to threaten offensively as the left-sided wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, and it will be fascinating to see how the former Man United captain performs against Navas, with both players certainly bringing plenty of experience into the battle.
Matt Law
