The Europa League could possibly not fit with the riches and glamour of the Champions League, but the presence of Manchester United and Inter Milan in the semi-finals is further proof that the European giants are taking the festival seriously.
United and Seville, who face others in Sunday’s first semi-final, have already taken credit for the arrival of a Place in the Champions League for the Europa League winners in 2015, but with Ukraine champion Shakhtar Donetsk facing Inter in the other semi-final. On Monday, the remaining four groups have already secured their champions league position next season.
Instead, it is the prestige of a European trophy and a silver prize that drives the ambitions of the semi-finalists despite the environment of all closed-door matches in northern Germany.
“I think it’s vital to win because every single player has to figure out how to win a trophy for Manchester United,” said Bruno Fernandes, whose overtime penalty saw the English giants sneak out beyond Copenhagen in the quarterfies.
“I think if we finish with a trophy, it may not be perfect, however, it will be a smart year for us because Manchester United has to come back to win trophies and fight for European competitions.”
United has won a trophy since lifting the Europa League for the first time in 2017.
Sevilla is the king of the competition, winning five times since 2006, but has claimed silver since the last time he lifted the Europa League in 2016.
Inter has made great strides to close the gap with Juventus in Antonio Conte’s first season, but he is also looking for his first trophy since 2011.
The presence of United and Inter means that there are more Champions League champions in the Europa League semi-finals than at the first UEFA club festival in Lisbon.
But the governing framework of European football has attracted the interest of the continent’s biggest clubs with the emergence of the Europa League in recent seasons.
The Spanish and English clubs have teamed up to win the festival for more than 8 years.
The 560 million euros ($660 million) divided between Europa League clubs still account for a quarter of the 2 billion euro jackpot for the Champions League, but they provide significant monetary momentum, especially with the coronavirus pandemic that is jeopardizing the finances of clubs today. Income.
Chelsea pocketed 46 million euros for winning the festival last season, while those who entered the Europa League from the Champions League as Inter and Shakhtar have done so this season to win even more.
Sevilla has been the biggest beneficiary of the laissez-faire of some clubs towards the importance of the Europa League in the past.
The Spanish national team has beaten Middlesbrough, Espanyol, Benfica and Dnipro in the first four of their last victories before beating Liverpool four years ago.
Shakhtar also earned credit when the Ukrainian club won a European trophy by beating Werder Bremen in 2009.
Both are shining examples of how smart player exchange can save an economic hole with the continent’s super clubs, however, every season, reconstruction becomes complicated as the monetary strength of United and Inter allows them to recruit the most productive talent.
Only 3 members of The Seville starting line-up that took United out of the Champions League two years ago will be members of Julen Lopetegui’s team on Sunday. Next season, Lucas Ocampos, Sergio Reguilon and Diego Carlos will follow the track of Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic, Clement Lenglet and many others to take a big step after betting on Sánchez Pizjuan.
But they hope to mark the victory in the festival that Sevilla calls theirs.
“It brought us a lot of joy,” said Sevilla captain Jesús Navas, who left for Manchester City in 2013 before returning for a moment to his hometown club. “Given the difficult times we’re going through, being able to win the Europa League for the fans and for everyone it would be great.”
Europa League semi-finals Sunday Manchemanchester United – Seville, 23:00 Hours Monday Inter – Shakhtar Donetsk, 23:00 a.m.
Dear reader,
This segment is about life in the United Arab Emirates and data you cannot live without.
Sign up to read and complete gulfnews.com