Erik Lamela on Thursday propelled UEFA Europa League specialists Sevilla into the final once again with a 2-1 victory over Juventus, sealing a 3-2 aggregate triumph in a gripping clash.
Lamela headed home in extra-time to complete an impressive comeback for the record six-time winners of the competition, who face Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma in Budapest on May 31 after they edged past Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Dusan Vlahovic fired visitors Juventus ahead in the second half, two minutes after coming on as a substitute, but Suso smashed home from outside the penalty area to take the game to extra-time.
Photo: Reuters
Lamela connected perfectly with Bryan Gil’s cross in the 95th minute to delight the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and Sevilla held on to reach the final for the first time since 2019-2020.
“A lot of things went through my head, good moments, bad moments. It was a unique moment,” Lamela told Movistar. “Now we are a step away, it’s a great opportunity. It’s a night I will remember forever, it’s something incredible to play here, in front of all these fans.”
Defeat is concerning for Juventus, who are second in Serie A, but braced for a potential points deduction which could knock them out of the top four. Winning the Europa League would have been an alternative route to UEFA Champions League qualification.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side, without the injured Paul Pogba, were significantly better than in the first leg, but fell short.
“You have to put them in the back of the net when you have the chances,” Allegri said. “The boys played a good game, but it was a European semi-final, we had to give a little more.”
He said his young Juventus side paid the price for their lack of experience compared with Sevilla.
“It’s a team that lacks experience at international level, these are physical matches, which require a lot,” he said.
Mourinho’s Roma remain on track for a second European trophy in two seasons after a goalless draw at Leverkusen sent them through to the final 1-0 on aggregate.
The UEFA Europa Conference League holders created little in attack, but defended doggedly, as the increasingly frustrated home side peppered their goal.
“Today there is great joy after reaching another Europa League final,” Mourinho told Sky Sport.
Toasting his “unbelievable team,” Mourinho said: “I don’t know if I can ask for more, but these guys deserve something special.”
Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso said “I’m not going to cry,” telling the post-match news conference his side had “many reasons to be optimistic.”
“I am happy, pleased and proud of the players and the way they tried until the end. We must continue, with our heads up and continue,” he said.
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