Six-time champions Sevilla were held to a dramatic 1-1 draw in their UEFA Europa League semi-final first-leg clash at the Allianz stadium in Turin on Thursday night.
The Andalusians found the opener through a lightning counter-attack in the 26th minute of play. A flowing team move saw Lucas Ocampos turn provider for Moroccan hitman Youssef En-Nesyri, who turned the ball home.
In the second half, Juventus sought for a penalty late on following a 50-50 challenge by Adrien Rabiot and Loic Bade. The center referee consulted with the VAR and waved away appeals from the Bianconeri.
There was drama still to come in injury time, as the Bianconeri found the equalizer through Gati off an assist from substitute Paul Pogba.
The return fixture will be held at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan next Thursday, with the winner earning a trip to the Final.
Our second simultaneous encounter for the night saw Italian Serie A outfit AS Roma pip German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
After the first half had ended goalless, Edo Bove was the hero on the night as he turned in a rebound home in the 65th minute, after teammate Tammy Abraham’s shot was initially saved.
Despite the slim victory, the Giallorossi will be expecting a feisty contest at the Bay Arena next week in the return leg. Only 90 minutes separate Jose Mourinho’s men from reaching a second successive European Final.
🔴 Live Blog:
FULL-TIME AT THE STADIO OLIMPICO: AS Roma 1-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
FULL-TIME AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM: Juventus 1-1 Sevilla
GOOOAAALLL!!! Juventus 1-1 Sevilla (Gati)
90+7′ MIN: Paul Pogba does well to keep the ball in play and Gati pokes home to give the Old Lady the leveller.
GOOOAAALLL!!! AS Roma 1-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen (E. Bove)
65′ MIN: Abraham’s shot is initially saved, but Bove is on hand to fire home the rebound.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE STADIO OLIMPICO: AS Roma 0-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM: Juventus 0-1 Sevilla
HALF-TIME AT THE STADIO OLIMPICO: AS Roma 0-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
HALF-TIME AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM: Juventus 0-1 Sevilla
GOOOAAALLL!!! Juventus 0-1 Sevilla (Y. El-Nesyri)
26′ MIN: A counter-attack sees Youssef El-Nesyri finish home off a Lucas Ocampos cross, to give Sevilla the lead.
KICK-OFF AT THE STADIO OLIMPICO: AS Roma 0-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
KICK-OFF AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM: Juventus 0-0 Sevilla
Starting XI’S: AS Roma vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Starting XI’S: Juventus vs Sevilla
The Bianconeri who exited the UEFA Champions League in the group stages, have somehow found solace in Europe’s second-tier club competition. To get here, they overcame French outfit Nantes and Sporting CP of Portugal, and they will be looking to get a favourable result, which will take them closer to a first European Final since 2017.
As for Sevilla, a torrid campaign which had seen the club mired in relegation struggles and the change of two managers, have steadily improved in recent weeks. Coach Jose Luis Mendiliba have steadied the ship and with La Liga almost confirmed, attention now turns to Europe in a bid to win a record-extending seventh UEL title.
In our second match of the night, AS Roma will take on German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen. The Giallorossi are winless in their last four Serie A fixtures (D2, L2) which has seen them drop to seventh on the table, and will be eyeing a second successive European Final as they aim to reach the UCL for next season.
One sub-plot surrounding this game is the clash between manager Jose Mourinho of Roma and Xabi Alonso for Leverkusen. The Portuguese managed Alonso during his spell as Real Madrid boss and both will relish a battle on the touchline, as they target silverware and supremacy.
Apex Football News 