A SEMI FINAL PLACE AT STAKE AGAINST WOLVES

Yesterday, the draw was made for the first qualifying round in the 2020/21 UEFA Europa League. Meanwhile, various LaLiga teams have started their preparations for next season. The normal schedule of the competition has been delayed by a month, but while that all happens, a select group of clubs are still out for European glory in a 19/20 season that appears endless. Of course, the conclusion is very close, with the final in Cologne on 21st August, where the two survivors will fight to win the secondary European competition. That is where Sevilla FC want to be, but there are two more tests to overcome. 

The first of those is tonight, in Duisburg again, against a Wolverhampton Wanderers whose name maybe appears less frightening than Roma on paper, but this happens to be a club who are very powerful on an economic level as a Premier League side. Seven years ago, the side from the West Midlands were relegated to League One, the third tier, but have recovered brilliantly, bouncing back to the second tier at the first attempt before securing promotion to the Premier League in 2017/18. They only needed one top-flight season to reach Europe, with seventh place enough to secure qualification after Manchester City won both the domestic cups. However, another seventh-placed finish was not enough this time, as eighth-placed Arsenal won the FA Cup. Nuno Espírito Santo came in in 2017 and has given the club a clear identity, but, to qualify for Europe next season, they must win the UEL.

After missing out on qualification in the league, Wolves must win the UEL to qualify for Europe

Of course, winning the Europa League would put Wolves into the Champions League Group Stages next season. Sevilla FC already have that prize regardless of what happens, but logically, that is no obstacle for Lopetegui's men to want more. There are not too many teams at this moment which can say that they only want to lift the trophy, because the five previous wins in this tournament invite us to dream. With none other than Manchester United awaiting the winners of this tie, which will take place is Cologne on Sunday, the Blanquirrojos need to turn in a similar performance to the one against Roma to progress. Gudelj is the only absentee, as he is still at home due to testing positive for Covid-19.

Wolves have two players who are unavailable for tonight's match. Starting left-back Jonny Otto misses out after picking up an injury against Olympiacos in the Round of 16, while attacking midfielder Podence is suspended after receiving a booking in the same match. As always, Lopetegui has taken charge of cooling a euphoria that, in any case, has not taken over in the dressing room. The economic strength and the defined style of Wolves mean that, even though they are not European regulars (despite reaching the final in 1972) - the threat they pose is clear for all to see. Today's match will take place in Duisburg, which hosted the win over Roma last week, but this time round it will have the the overriding desire to play another two more games in Germany, both in Cologne.

Tonight's match will kick off at 21:00 CET at the MSV-Arena in Duisburg and will be refereed by Daniele Orsato from Italy. The quarter final between Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel will be played at the same time, with the winner facing Internazionale in the other semi final.