Article 98 — Round-Up Of Europa League Quarter-Finals & Preview Of The Semi-Finals
The quarter-final stage of the Europa League 2019–20 concluded on the 10th and 11th August 2020. I have recounted the events of the matches that were played on the 10th August and you can read it here: https://medium.com/@rasfootballworld/article-97-inter-united-get-a-step-closer-to-the-final-81ada28fec60
Let’s look at the matches that were played on the 11th of August 2020. Wolverhampton Wanderers had a great chance to take the lead in their game against the tournament’s record-holders, Sevilla. Adama Traore went on an unstoppable run from his own half and was brought down in the box by Diego Carlos for a penalty. Raul Jimenez, normally so prolific from the spot-kick, missed it. It was his first-ever penalty miss for Wolves. An inopportune time for him to miss.
As for the balance of the game, that was the best it got for Wolves. Sevilla went on to dominate the game but only found the winner two minutes from time through Lucas Ocampos. Sevilla progressed to the semi-final to play against another English club, Manchester United.
Wolves have been a team that has impressed me a lot in the past two seasons. It is unfortunate that they will not be in Europe next season and they couldn’t get to the semi-final of the Europa League. It has been a very long season for them, lasting 383 days starting the 2019–20 season more than a year ago now on the 25th July 2019. They have many players of top quality as well as a manager of equal quality. It remains to be seen if they can keep hold of these players and the manager if big clubs come calling.
Sevilla is a top-quality side and has a special affinity to this tournament. They have now reached the semi-final of the UEFA Cup/Europa League for the 7th time in their history. Only Inter has qualified for more semi-finals. Either team would have been tough opponents for Manchester United in the semi-final but I would say Sevilla would be tougher for United. The omens are not in United’s favour as Sevilla has won all of their matches against English opposition at a neutral ground. They had also knocked United out of the Champions League Round of 16 in the 2017–18 season. Sevilla has also got momentum on their side as they are on a 19 match unbeaten run across all competitions.
It will be a battle of the midfield in the semi-final and whichever team that can have the upper hand there will emerge winners. It would also be a tactical battle between two confident and in-form teams. Sevilla is likely to line-up in a 4–3–3 formation looking to monopolise possession. United could revert to a 3–5–2 or 3–4–1–1 and look to hit Sevilla on the counter-attack. An intriguing battle awaits us but Sevilla would have more experience than this United team of being at this stage and seeing it through. They would be very dangerous and extremely tough opponents for United. Both teams will go into this tie as equals.
In the other quarter-final, Shakhtar Donestk had no problems seeing off Swiss side, FC Basel. The made in Brazil frontline pulled out the drums and whistle and played it to the beat of the Samba as they got past their Swiss opponents with ease.
Shakhtar was 2–0 up by half-time and made it 4–0 with two minutes to go to underline their dominance. All the goals were scored by players that are born in Brazil, Junior Moraes, Taison, Alan Patrick and Dodo. Basel was never in the game but got a consolation goal for their troubles with two minutes to go.
Shakthar would be playing in their third UEFA Cup/Europa League semi-final against Inter on Monday. They are also unbeaten in 11 games across all competitions. In theory, Inter’s game against Bayer Leverkusen warranted a score to match Shakthar’s. The difference was Inter couldn’t score as many as Shakthar could. Hopefully, Inter saved some goals for the semi-final and Shakhtar has run out of their quota of goals.
In stereotypical fashion, the semi-final will be billed up as attack vs defence because of the attacking flair in Shakhtar’s attackers and the traditional defensive solidity of the Italian side, Inter. Inter have the best defensive record in Italy this season but are not afraid to take the game to their opponents. Antonio Conte will be tested tactically on how to contain Shakhtar’s forwards and exploit their weaknesses. I am sure Inter and especially Romelu Lukaku will give Shakhtar something to worry about as well.
This semi-final like the other one is too close to call. At the end of Monday, I might have a final where either one of my favourite teams would have progressed to, both would have progressed through or neither would have progressed. I hope it is at least either one of the first two options. Both semi-finals are even and in the balance but United and Inter got to take advantage of the extra rest day they have over their opponents to prepare well.
