A preview of Monday’s Europa League semi-final match between Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk:
Script
Inter Milan can triumph in their first European final since winning the Champions League in 2010 if they beat Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine in the semi-finals of the Europa League in Germany. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku played a very important role in Antonio Conte’s good luck at Inter, scoring in a 2–1 quarter-final win over Bayer Leverkusen. Lukaku also scored against Getafe in the round of 16. Shakhtar, the 2009 champion, beat the tired Basel team 4–1 in the quarter-finals. He has the same combination of old Ukrainian defenders maintaining the line of offensive talent born in Brazil. The winner will play Sevilla in Friday’s final after the Spanish club eliminated Manchester United 2–1 on Sunday.
TOP SCORER
Inter: Romelu Lukaku (31 goals).
Shakhtar: Junior Moraes (25 goals).
PLAYMAKER KEY
Inter: Ashley Young (5 assists since arriving in January).
Shakhtar: Taison (10 assists).
BEST DEFENSOR
Inter: Stefan de Vrij.
Shakhtar as Mykola Matvienko.
DOMESTIC FINISH
Inter: Serie A (2nd), Coppa Italia (semi-finals).
Shakhtar: Ukrainian Premier League (champions), Ukrainian Cup (eighth round).
EUROPE’S BEST CUP
Inter: Champions (1964, 1965, 2010).
Shakhtar: quarterfi finals (2011).
EUROPA LEAGUE / BEST UEFA CUP
Inter: Champions (1991, 94, 98).
Shakhtar: Champions (2009).
Income
Inter: 417 million euros ($494 million).
Shakhtar: 3.76 billion hryvnya ($137 million).
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Fund the most recent figures provided through the club or UEFA.
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