On the program this Thursday, May 18, the semi-finals of the Europa League: Sevilla-Juventus and Leverkusen-Roma. The stake of these posters is a place in the final. But at the end of the competition, there is a direct qualification to the next Champions League for these four teams in difficulty in their respective championships.
The Europa League could also save the season of these teams who are struggling in the league. Finally, another important issue in today’s games is to continue the adventure to hope to get the envelope for the Champions League qualifiers.
Sevilla FC vs Juventus
The Europa League specialists despite a failed season in the league so far are having a very good campaign in their favorite competition. After eliminating Manchester United in the quarter-finals, they caught Juve (1-1) in the first leg in Turin and start the second leg with the advantage of the home ground. But the match is far from being played as their Italian opponent is a big club, it has players who can make the difference at any time. The draw of the first leg gives Juve the opportunity to leave the initiative of the game to Sevilla.
Both teams are currently in confidence, their last results in the league are positive. The match will be closed, very tactical. No one will let themselves be discovered. The next season is at stake. A season of Juve or Sevilla without the Champions League (with the risk of punishment in the league that weighs on the Bianconeri) would be too long and boring. The match promises tension between the Sevillian soul that operates in Europa and an Old Lady who wants to regain a European stature but especially to secure its qualification in C1.
Leverkusen vs Roma
The defending champion of the Europa League Conference does not seem to be able to qualify for the Champions League via its championship (6 points from the last qualifying place in C1 with 3 days to go). Leverkusen can only claim at best the C3 in Bundesliga. The stakes are high. Mourinho and his team start with the advantage of having won the first leg even if it is by a goal (1-0). The Portuguese technician will want to make history by winning two titles in different European echelons as he did with Porto in 2003 and 2004. And who knows, maybe next season he will make the pass of 3 in the Champions League.
This already requires a qualification for the final. On the other hand, Leverkusen has its destiny in hand. The Germans have nothing to lose. To get to Europe, they have to win. Bayer will logically have to play the game against the very strategic Italians. The German club has no choice. They will therefore be exposed to Italian counterattacks.
What about the current dynamics? Both teams are still on a rollercoaster ride in the league. Roma has burned almost all its jokers, it was, in fact, joined and dropped in the race for the C1. Leverkusen, on the other hand, has drawn 3 times, lost once and won once in its last 5 matches.
But the competitions and the stakes are different. The 2 teams will play their chance, their next season depends on it.
One game away from the final! 🏆
Who will make it?#UEL pic.twitter.com/rAif5udKmJ
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 18, 2023
