Sevilla welcomed Fiorentina to the Estadio Ramon for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.
The home side led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a 17th-minute effort from Aleix Vidal.
Vidal was again on the scoresheet early in the second period as Sevilla took a two-goal lead, before Kevin Gameiro made it 3-0 in the 75th minute.
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 Seville as Sevilla welcome Fiorentina for the first leg of their semi-final. The home side are, of course, the holders of this competition, but Fiorentina have not been in the final of the UEFA Cup/Europa League since the 1989-90 season.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
SEVILLA: Rico; Vidal, Carrico, Kolo, Tremoulinas; Krychowiak, Mbia; Reyes, Banega, Vitolo; Bacca
FIORENTINA: Neto; Tomovic, Savic, Rodriguez, Alonso; Matias, Badelj, Valero; Joaquin, Gomez, Salah
So there we have it. Sevilla boss Unai Emery has sprung a big surprise at right-back, with Spanish attacker Aleix Vidal starting ahead of Coke and Diogo Figueiras, who are both on the bench. Leading scorer Carlos Bacca is preferred to Kevin Gameiro in attack, while Jose Antonio Reyes will captain the Spanish side.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, include former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic at centre-back, while Matias Fernandez and Milan Badelj are both included in midfield. It is also a very-recognisable front three, with Joaquin joining Mario Gomez and Mohamed Salah. Micah Richards and Alberto Aquilani, however, are on the bench.
Somewhat surprisingly, tonight will be the first time that these two teams have met in a competitive match. Sevilla's record against Italian clubs in general is pretty poor, however, losing three of their four fixtures and failing to win in the process – including two defeats away from home.
Fiorentina, meanwhile, have won two of their 12 European meetings with Spanish clubs, but they have never won a European tie on Spanish soil. At the start of the campaign, not many predicted Fiorentina to make waves in this particular competition, but they are now within touching distance of a European final.
In total, Fiorentina have won four of their six European semi-finals, but they lost on their last appearance at this stage (penalties to 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, as mentioned, in 1990.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are looking to win the Europa League for the fourth time and indeed in successive seasons. The La Liga side have lifted the trophy on each occasion that they have made it to this stage and will be confident of securing another positive result this evening, albeit against tough opposition.
In terms of their route to this stage of the competition, Sevilla 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 in the first knockout round and advanced 4-2 on aggregate.
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.
Sevilla have also won their last eight European home games – including all six this season. They have been in excellent form on home turf this season, but did lose at home in the league for the first time since February 2014 on Saturday, with Real Madrid recording all three points with a 3-2 success.
The defeat to Real Madrid ended a run of 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, but Emery's side are still in a strong position in La Liga – currently fifth and just three points behind fourth-place Valencia. Indeed, they could finish fifth and still make next season's Champions League by winning this competition.
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Fiorentina, meanwhile, also sit fifth in their domestic table. A total of 52 points from 34 games has put them right in the hunt for a top-four finish in Serie A, but they are seven points behind fourth-place Napoli, who are also in the semi-finals of this particular competition and play Dnipro this evening.
Fiorentina's form has been disappointing in recent weeks, however, winning just two of their last eight games in all competitions. They will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 win over Cesena in Serie A, but they lost their last away fixture at Juventus. Europe has been a welcome distraction in recent weeks.
In terms of their progression to this stage, 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.
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Ukrainian outfit 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 in Florence and a 2-0 victory booked their spot in the semi-finals. The rest, as they say, is history. Not long until kickoff here...
Fiorentina are actually unbeaten in their last 12 European away games – winning eight times in the process. Indeed, they have not lost away from home in Europe since a 3-2 defeat at Bayern Munich in the last-16 stage of the 2009-10 Champions League. Will that excellent run of form continue in Seville this evening?
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.
PREDICTION! This should, by all accounts, be a fascinating match. On home turf, however, you just have to fancy Sevilla. Emery's side are very good at the Estadio Ramon and will expect to record a win in the first leg. Fiorentina have plenty of attacking players, but I am backing a 2-1 home victory.
It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium is stunning. It is certainly one of the most atmospheric arenas in world football and it helps that it is a beautiful evening in Seville.
Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. We are ready for the action and it is the away side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.
As expected, it has been a fairly frantic start to proceedings, with both teams just attempting to find their way into the game. Fiorentina are enjoying early possession inside the Sevilla half.
Tremoulinas has been nice and bright for the home side early on, but the left-back has been unable to find a teammate from a wide area. Not too much to report in terms of fluent attacking play thus far.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match comes to Fiorentina as Joaquin sets up Gomez just outside the box, but the striker's effort is high of the crossbar. Clearest opportunity by some distance in Seville.
You just get the feeling that the first goal in this match - and indeed in the tie - will be just vital. Fiorentina will want to register an away goal this evening, but Sevilla are very strong at home and have been for the past 14 months or so. Still goalless here, but there are signs that opportunities will arrive as play develops.
It is brilliant work from Mbia as the Sevilla midfielder bundles his way into the Fiorentina box before attempting to deliver, but Savic is on hand to clear. The hosts also threaten from the resulting corner, but their attack comes to an end when Vitolo is penalised for handball. Still goalless with 10 minutes played.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Bacca finds a yard of space just inside the Fiorentina box, but his effort was straight into the arms of Neto. It is a really good spell for the home side here.
CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Reyes delivers a super cross towards Bacca, but the Colombian cannot make contact. Any touch would have taken the ball flying past Neto!
Fiorentina come close this time as Tomovic whips a super cross into Gomez, but like Bacca, the Fiorentina forward cannot make contact. Still goalless with 14 minutes played, but the forward action is plentiful.
Gomez finds Row Z with a strike from just outside the Sevilla box.
GOAL! Sevilla 1-0 Fiorentina (Vidal)
Breakthrough Sevilla! The home side open the scoring in this semi-final as Bacca sets up Vidal, who fires his effort into the bottom corner. It is a really super finish from the makeshift right-back here!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Fiorentina to level almost immediately as Joaquin sets up Mati Fernandez inside the Sevilla box, but somehow the midfielder misses from close range! Some miss!
Well, this has been a super 22 minutes of football in Seville - it has just flown past! Sevilla lead, but Fiorentina have had a couple of super chances. I suspect we have not seen the last of the goals!
Joaquin is not too popular with the home supporters this evening, such is his association with Sevilla's great rivals Real Betis. Both teams are still committing plenty of numbers in the final third, but the hosts are looking the more threatening. Reyes tries his luck from outside the box, bringing a smart save from Neto.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Fernandez dances into the Sevilla box before attempting to beat Rico from a tight angle, but the stopper makes another really smart save!
CHANCE! Salah is next to come close for Fiorentina after a low driven cross from Tomovic, but the on-loan Chelsea attacker cannot make clean contact. The Italian side really should be on level terms!
Fernandez, who has been Fiorentina's biggest threat thus far, again drives forward before striking one towards the top corner, but his effort is past the post. Good grief this game is open!
Well, there has been one goal in Seville, but we should have had at least two more. Sevilla have been on top for long spells, but the visitors have had a couple of golden chances to level the scores. Just a reminder that nothing will be decided this evening, with the second leg in Florence to come next Thursday evening.
Neither side has been too impressive from set pieces thus far, with Banega the latest to waste a good position. The home supporters are still in wonderful voice here with 32 minutes played.
Salah remains a threat for Fiorentina as he continues to drift into a wide area, but the attacker's quality has not been great thus far. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining in Seville.
Half-chance for the home side as Vidal breaks down the right before delivering a cross towards Vitolo, but the Spaniard takes too long and Rodriguez is across to make the challenge. Fiorentina are not looking too solid at the back, which will be a concern at this stage of the tie. This has been a really super game.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but a deep free kick from Fernandez forces Rico to depart his goal and punch clear of the box. Fiorentina are enjoying plenty of the ball in deep areas, but it is difficult to say that Sevilla are under a lot of pressure. It has been fascinating thus far.
Fiorentina have a free kick in a dangerous area as Reyes fells Joaquin...
... Fernandez delivers towards the far post, but Rico punches clear and gains a free kick in the process. There was plenty of pressure on the Spanish goalkeeper, who stood strong and cleared.
Rico does not look too comfortable as he stays on the deck for the time being.
Possession football from Fiorentina as we approach the final moments of this first period. In truth, the Italian side should not be behind - they have had a couple of really excellent chances thus far.
The away side continue to buzz around the Sevilla box, with Joaquin and Gomez both having attempts blocked. Plenty of possession for Fiorentina at the moment, but the home side remain strong at the back.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes.
Sevilla want a penalty on the stroke of half-time here as Krychowiak goes down inside the box under a challenge from Savic, but the referee is not interested. Big controversy as Savic made no contact with the ball!
HALF-TIME: Sevilla 1-0 Fiorentina
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Sevilla leading 1-0 courtesy of a 17th-minute strike from Vidal, who found the bottom corner after good work from Bacca. That is far from the whole story, however, with Fiorentina - in particular Fernandez - missing a couple of glorious chances.
STATS! Fiorentina have just about shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had nine attempts - three of which have been on target. Sevilla, meanwhile, have hit the target with all three of their attempts. There have also been plenty of lively challenges, but no bookings from the referee thus far.
BENCH WATCH! Sevilla boss Emery has plenty of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Gameiro, Iborra and Suarez all capable of making a difference. Fiorentina, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Aquilani, Pizarro and Vargas. Will we see any alterations at the interval here?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Fiorentina find an away goal in this first leg? The home side get the second 45 minutes underway in Seville.
SUB! Fiorentina have made one change at the break, with Micah Richards replacing Tomovic.
BOOKING! Carrico (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Joaquin.
CLOSE! Fernandez shapes his free kick towards the bottom corner, but was always moving just wide of the post. Fernandez has been Fiorentina's most dangerous player tonight.
It has been a very open start to the second period, with both teams committing numbers forward on the counter. Richards makes a stunning challenge at one end, before Fiorentina break forward with the dangerous Joaquin. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this semi-final first leg in Seville.
Fiorentina remain a threat as Salah evades a host of challenges before finding Fernandez, who attempts to slide a pass into Gomez, but Rico is on hand to collect. Some start to the second period here!
GOAL! Sevilla 2-0 Fiorentina (Vidal)
Sevilla have their second of the match and again it is Vidal who scores from right-back. Vitolo drives across the edge of the box before sliding a pass into Vidal, who finishes past Neto. What a moment!
Vidal is not a right-back by trade, but he is playing there this evening and he now has two goals! You just get the feeling that Fiorentina will need an away goal to stand a chance in the second leg.
Sevilla have not always been in control of this match, but they have been very clinical in the final third, which is the total opposite of Fiorentina, who have missed a host of excellent chances tonight.
Vidal is having a super game for Sevilla and the right-back is free once again following more good work from Vitolo, but Valero just about does enough to clear the danger. The score remains 2-0 Sevilla.
SUB! The hosts make their first change as Coke replaces Reyes.
Coke is immediately involved as the Sevilla skipper breaks forward before finding Vidal, but the Spaniard's effort is high of the crossbar. Not too much from Fiorentina in terms of an attacking sense here.
Vidal and Vitolo combine once again, but the latter fires wide of the near post.
Sevilla are all under Fiorentina at the moment as they go searching for a third goal, which might well kill this tie. Both managers have two permitted changes remaining with little under 30 minutes to play.
Fiorentina look a little lost at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. As it stands, it does appear that the visitors will be made to regret some missed chances in the first 45 minutes. Since the interval, it has been all one-way traffic and the hosts have a strong lead at this stage.
Sevilla are preparing to make their second change of the match, but there has been a stoppage in play following a collision between Mbia and Badelj, with the Fiorentina man coming off worse in the challenge.
Badelj has blood present following that challenge and might have to depart here.
SUB! The change is made for Fiorentina as Pizarro replaces Badelj.
It does appear that Mbia will continue, but the midfielder does not look too good at the moment. That stoppage might help Fiorentina, who have been under a lot of pressure in this second period in Seville.
BOOKING! Alonso (Fiorentina) is booked for dissent.
Another half-chance for the home side as Coke breaks into the Fiorentina box before striking towards goal, but Alonso is on hand to make the block. Gameiro is still waiting to come onto the field...
... SUB! Finally the change is made, but it is Iborra who replaces Mbia.
SUB! Gameiro finally gets on for Sevilla in place of Bacca.
GOAL! Sevilla 3-0 Fiorentina (Gameiro)
Gameiro - with his first touch - has scored a third! It is excellent from Tremoulinas, who races down the left before finding Vidal and the Spaniard's attempt is tapped home by Gameiro. Incredible!
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side to score a fourth as Coke sets up Banega inside the box, but his effort flies wide of the post. Good grief Fiorentina are being cut open in Seville at the moment!
SUB! Fiorentina make their third change as Gomez is replaced by Ilicic.
This has been some performance from Sevilla. As it stands, surely it is tie over. Fiorentina would need to score at least three times next week and you have to fancy Sevilla to register on the counter attack. The Italian side were very good in the first period this evening, but have not shown up in this second half!
BOOKING! Krychowiak (Sevilla) is booked for a late challenge on Joaquin.
SAVE! Fernandez strikes his free kick towards the bottom corner, but Rico is again on hand to make the save as Sevilla manage to keep their clean sheet in tact. Little over five minutes to play...
Possession football from the away side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but Sevilla are quite comfortable defending their own box. An away goal at this stage could be just massive.
Fiorentina are putting some pressure on at the moment as they force another free kick through Joaquin, who has been dangerous all evening, but the quality of the delivery is once again disappointing.
Just a reminder that the second leg of this semi-final will take place in Florence next Tuesday. As it stands, it will be a massive task for Fiorentina. Stoppage time will be interesting...
... FIVE minutes have been added on.
Fernandez delivers another free kick into the Sevilla box, but the home side manage to scramble clear once again. It just has not happened for Fiorentina in the second 45 minutes this evening.
Banega wastes good space outside the Fiorentina box, but time is drifting away and the home side still have their three-goal lead in tact. Fiorentina have to go for an away goal at this stage of proceedings.
It is Sevilla ending this game on the front foot.
BOOKING! Rodriguez (Fiorentina) is booked for a poor challenge on Iborra.
FULL-TIME: Sevilla 3-0 Fiorentina
So there we have it. Sevilla are on course for another Europa League final following a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of their semi-final. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action! Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
