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On Wednesday night, the first European final of the year takes place with Sevilla taking on Roma in the Europa League final. The showpiece event in Budapest will put legendary manager, Jose Mourinho, against Jose Luis Mendilibar in a game that is expected to be a tight and tactical affair.
Going into the match, Roma are very narrow favourites at 7/4 with Sevilla priced at 19/10. The reason for this is likely due to the fact that the Italian side have had a better domestic season than their opponents even if their form has tailed off in the past couple of months.
Despite that, Mourinho is a cup final master and will have his team fired up as they look to win a European trophy for the second consecutive season.
While Mourinho is a cup final master, Sevilla are the Europa League masters. They have won the competition six times in their history – three more than anyone else – and their run to the final this year has been exceptional.
They overcame a 2-0 deficit against Manchester United to win the tie 5-2 on aggregate and then beat tournament favourites, Juventus, in the semi-finals. It’s been the sort of run that makes you feel their name is on the trophy and they will fancy their chances at the Puskas Arena tonight.
The match is set to kick off at 20:00 UK time and viewers in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the action unfold live on BT Sport.
Sevilla Team News: Marcos Acuna misses out via suspension
After a disappointing season, thanks in large to their form under Jorge Sampaoli from August until March, Sevilla could still end it in spectacular fashion. Given the hurdles they’ve had to come and the teams they’ve had to beat on their way to the final in Budapest, it would potentially be their greatest Europa League triumph of all should they come out on top against Roma.
Since Jose Luis Mendilibar arrived at Sevilla, he has trusted Yassine Bounou in between the sticks in the Europa League. Marko Dmitrovic remains the club’s number-one goalkeeper when it comes to league action meaning Mendilibar has a big decision on his hands in relation to who he plays in goal for the final. Given the fact that Bounou is yet to let him down, the Moroccan is expected to continue much to Dmitrovic’s disappointment.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou talks about his mental and physical pre-match preparation 🧠💪
Watch on https://t.co/9OFL4rh1Q9 👇#UEL
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 25, 2023
Mendilibar rested several key players for the match against Real Madrid at the weekend for this one and he is also set to welcome back Joan Jordan and Suso who have recovered from injuries in time to make the trip to Budapest. However, there are still lingering doubts about the availability of Tanguy Nianzou and Marcao while Marcos Acuna is definitely unavailable after the Argentinian was sent off against Juventus in the last round.
Roma Team News: Dybala to return for Roma
Despite occupying positions in the top four of Serie A for the majority of the season, Roma’s form has dipped in recent weeks as Mourinho has begun to prioritise the Europa League. It means that the club need to win on Wednesday night if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Mourinho, who is being linked with a move to PSG in the summer, has also rested the majority of his key players at the weekend just like his opposite number. Nemanja Matic, Rui Patricio, and captain, Lorenzo Pellegrini were all given the weekend off to prepare for Sevilla.
Paulo Dybala has arrived.
There is no way this man is not taking the pitch tomorrow. Look at the body language, the eyes, the focus. pic.twitter.com/07y6WwmL1q
— Lupo 🇮🇹 (@LupoASRoma) May 30, 2023
In terms of injury concerns, two players who are definitely out of the final are Rick Kardorp and Marash Kumbulla meaning that Leonardo Spinazolla has made it back in time to be in contention for a starting birth in Budapest. The biggest positive for Mourinho is the fact that Paulo Dybala, a mercurial talent who has battled with injuries for the past couple of years, has been cleared to play after recovering from an ankle injury.
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