Five years since the Europa League win in Warsaw

WARSAW: FIVE YEARS SINCE SEVILLA FC BECAME THE SIDE WITH THE MOST EUROPA LEAGUE TITLES

27/05/2020

With a hard-fought win against Ukranian side Dnipro, Sevilla FC became the first side to win four Europa League titles, before winning a fifth a year later

If there is a reason why this 27 May is always remembered in the heart of Sevilla, it is because of another example of the true love that the club has always shown for the UEFA Europa League. Five years ago, it was Sevilla FC's turn to defend their cup, the one they had managed to bring back to the trophy cabinet at the Sánchez-Pizjuán the previous season after winning in Turin. The final was held in Warsaw and Dnipro were the side who would face the always feared white and reds.

The clash did not get off to a good start. The Ukranians came out fighting and had three chances in the first half, managing to twice get the better of Sergio Rico. Kalinic opened the scoring with a header after just seven minutes, but despite their dominance, Sevilla showed why they were the reigning champions, equalising through an inspired Krychowiak, who took full advantage of Bacca's knockdown with a smart finish.

With this equaliser, Emery's men gained in confidence and did not take long to show themselves at their best. Just a few minutes after the equaliser from 'Krycho', the great José Antonio Reyes showed his magic, with a delightful through ball for Carlos Bacca who rounded the goalkeeper and fired the Andalusians into the lead. Unfortunately, just before half time, and just after Sergio Rico had stopped a big chance for Dnipro, they equalised through Rotán's free kick. Sevilla went into the break with a strange feeling, as they could well have taken the lead after Dnipro drew level.

Despite the suffering, glory awaited the eternal champion

Myron Markevych's team were more comfortable when they returned from the dressing room and the manager from Hondarribia looked for changes with the substitution of Reyes for Coke and some added tactical variation that allowed Sevilla to manage the game better. Entering the last half hour, Emery's team used corners as the main weapon when approaching Boyko's goal and, with the tie in the balance, Bacca would put Sevilla into the lead again on 70 minutes. Some good work from Vitolo allowed him to set up the Colombian international for the second of the game, sending the travelling Sevilla fans into delirium, as the fourth Europa League win got closer and closer.

After an achingly long injury time, Sevilla would again become Europa League winners. The referee brought the tie to a close and the chant of "Campeones" would sound in the Polish capital as the celebrations began. This was not just any night, but the night where Sevilla FC would become the most decorated side in Europa League history when Fernando Navarro lifted the cup above his head. It was Europa League number four for Sevilla, and again they had won the trophy two years on the spin, as they had done with their wins in 2006 and 2007.