Maintaining their 100% record in Europa League semi-finals, La Liga side Sevilla defeated Manchester United 2-1 in Cologne. The win kept up an impeccable run against English sides in European competition.
Missed Chances Cost Manchester United Against Sevilla
Triple Semi-Final Heartbreak for United
Sevilla will now go on to fight for a sixth Europa League title against either Inter Milan or Shaktar Donestk. For United, it is a third semi-final defeat of the season, after losses to Manchester City and Chelsea in the League Cup and FA Cup.
Luuk de Jong grabs winner to Punish United
In an exciting game, Manchester United took the lead in the ninth minute with their 22nd penalty of the season. Bruno Fernandes smashed an emphatic penalty into the top corner after Marcus Rashford was brought down. It was his 12th United goal since joining the club in February.
Sevilla struck back midway through the first half. Former Liverpool player Suso rounding off a swift counter-attack.
Just like in the quarter-final against Copenhagen, an inspired goalkeeping performance from Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou frustrated United. The Red Devils will be furious with themselves for not taking control of the game after a thrilling start to the second half and 20 attempts on goal during the game. Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial in particular having the best of the chances.
United were punished by Luuk de Jong with 12 minutes to go, the striker getting on the end of a cross woefully defended by Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Despite a late rally, Sevilla’s experience and know-how in the competition showed, robustly keeping United at bay.
Signings Needed
Once again United’s players looked jaded in the latter stages of the game. Tellingly, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t make any changes until the 86th minute, an indicator perhaps of his lack of faith in the team’s fringe players.
United need to be more clinical in front of goal. More players will have to be brought in if they are to be successful, an urgent matter with less than a month to go until the new campaign gets underway.
Is a Sixth Title Imminent for Sevilla?
As for Sevilla, they will be relishing the prospect of another Europa League final. Yet to lose in the final of this competition, they will go into the game confident of ending this crazy season on a high.
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