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Sevilla 3-2 Inter Milan: Julen Lopetegui lifted the trophy after a frantic round-trip final
Whether the touch of his left toe made a difference or not, Romelu Lukaku will know that it is not enough to prevent the Internazionale from wasting this thrilling Europa League final in a devastating way, nor enough to save you to the fullest of a successful club in the history of this festival since winning its sixth title. Sevilla returns to the kings of the secondary European football tournament, thanks to a cruelly deflected kick from Diego Carlos.
Carlos was officially recognized as the goalscorer, Lukaku dropped his shoulders and head down as Seville players celebrated warned that the deviation from his foot meant that he saw him as an opposite purpose next to him. For a centre forward who had previously scored his 34th of the campaign, tying Ronaldo Nazario’s record for an Inter player in his first year at the club, it was a ruthless way to finish a normal first season.
This meant that Inter’s nine-year wait for a trophy would now grow larger in a decade, but it also meant redemption for Julen Loeptegui. In 2018, he left the Spanish national team on the eve of the World Cup by Real Madrid, only to be fired after only a few months in this position. A similar fate seemed most likely before this year, his perseverance was rewarded with his first cutlery as a coach.
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Despite the constant rotation of the players, even if it has never been able to last among the European elite, Sevilla remains strangely dominant at this filial level. Few people liked Lopetegui’s team at the start of this mini-tournament in northwestern Germany a fortnight ago, two goals from Luuk de Jong and Lukaku’s touch reminded everyone at rheinEnergieStadion in Cologne to forget about their Europa League pedigree at their own risk. .
Unlike Manchester United in the semi-finals, a noisy organization of Spanish club dignitaries with flags and scarves sitting on the edge of the moment made up for the absence of an Andalusian crowd. They would finish celebrating for a long time at night once again, unlike United in the semi-finals, they spent the first few minutes roaring in vain protest when Carlos conceded an early penalty.
If Carlos is a genuine target for Manchester City and Arsenal in this window, he will have to expect that the first 3 minutes have been missed, as well as the other two shots he conceded on his mini-tour. And as the faults go away, it may have been a little more subtle. The way he fought Lukaku when he entered the penalty dominance left no doubt in the brains of referee Danny Makkelle.
Lukaku switched low and strong to the left back corner to score in an eleventh consecutive Europa League game and tie with Ronaldo. Memories of his training years of seeing the Brazilian at this festival played a key role in his resolve to opt for Milan instead of Turin while opting for his escape direction outside Old Trafford last summer and matching him will be a much-loved step in his career. Array even though its night would have a heartbreaking climax.
Similarities to Sunday’s semi-final in this field did not begin and ended with an early penalty. Once back, Seville once returned responded to the passage with a livid intensity. Once back, Jesus Navas had time and space to decide on a cross on the right. Once back, De Jong escaped the attention of the opposition defense and categorically punished his recklessness.
The winner of Sunday’s fit restored parity with a brilliant chopped headbutt. Samir Handanovic’s reaction was fast enough to succeed on the ball, but his hand was not strong enough to avoid it, such as the strength of De Jong’s connection. The speed was set and the mood began to crumble, but the first yellow card was thrown from the other side of the band line. Conte protested opposing some other penalty cry opposed to Carlos, this time handball, with too much force.
Conte’s temperament did not improve when De Jong gave Seville the lead with an undeniable but devastating routine. Newcastle’s zaguero went unnoticed, running the Inter defensive line, while Ever Banega threw a loose kick at the time of the pole. Roberto Gagliardini nevertheless sighted De Jong’s career, but too pass to save you from some other charming headbutt, this one over a helpless Handanovic and in the farthest corner.
And yet, in keeping with this breathless outing, this breakthrough lasted no more than 3 minutes. If the remote arrival of De Jong, the product of practice in the educational field, has been studied and taken into account, Godin’s linking to Marcelo Brozovic’s loose kick was born of brute force. Sets don’t have to be smart. Sometimes you just have to beat your score and steer the ball well. That was enough to get The Inter level.
Lukaku might have had to finish the change when he was face-to-face in the middle of the moment. Instead, he shot Bono directly. She was a bad lady, but it wouldn’t be the worst time of her night. With just over a quarter of an hour to go, Inter failed to make any other Banega stop. Carlos’ motorcycle kick was positive at best, but more importantly, he sent the ball to a domain that was asking Inter questions. Lukaku pulled out his boot to see if it was block and transparent, then temporarily learned that he had given the answer.
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