Juventus 1-1 Sevilla: Federico Gatti strike cancels out Youssef En-Nesyri goal to earn Europa League draw
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Updated 11/05/2023 at 22:29 GMT
Europa League specialists Sevilla travelled to Italy and almost pulled off a potentially huge away win against Juventus in the first leg of their semi-final tie, only to see Federico Gatti score a 97th-minute equaliser to cancel out Youssef En-Nesyri's effort. The two teams will play the second leg of the round next Thursday, with Sevilla playing at home.
Federico Gatti of Juventus celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg match between Juventus and Sevilla FC at Allianz Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Turin, Italy.
Image credit: Getty Images
Sevilla looked set to take a huge step towards winning their seventh Europa League, Youssef En-Nesyri’s first-half goal giving them the lead against a disappointing Juventus. But then in added time of added time, Federico Gatti headed home Paul Pogba’s brilliant knock-back, and the sides go to Spain with the tie beautifully poised.
Both sides began the match with bad intentions, giving it thrust and tempo. But gradually Sevilla took control, going in front on 26 minutes with a lovely counter. Oliver Torres sent Lucas Ocampos away down the right, he snapped across, and En-Nesyri just about scuffed home.
Juventus improved in the second half, Samuel Iling Jr giving them some impetus. But they struggled to build momentum and Sevilla looked dangerous on the counter then disappeared in the final stages like the experienced campaigners they are … until Gatti intervened.
The Juve centre-back headed home at the far post following a set-piece situation in the 97th minute. First, Danilo headed Federico Chiesa’s corner towards the back post, but it was edging wide, so Pogba arched his head back to send it back across goal for Gatti to score.
TALKING POINT - Mendilibar making things happen
When Jose Luis Mendilibar took over from Jorge Sampaoli in mid-March, Sevilla were just two points above the La Liga relegation zone. That gap is now 10 points, and in between times, his side have eliminated Manchester United from the Europa League.
That is a superb effort, and has come about because he has organised a side that plays with pace, intensity and conviction. They looked much sharper than Juventus, and though they were eventually caught in the final seconds trying to see out a 1-0 win, if they play to a similar standard in the return, they will do very badly to lose.
Mendilbar, like the managers who preceded him, has convinced his players that winning this competition is just something Sevilla do which, along with the mighty Sanchez Pizjuan, should be enough to see them into the final.
That is a superb effort, and has come about because he has organised a side that plays with pace, intensity and conviction. They looked much sharper than Juventus, and though they were eventually caught in the final seconds trying to see out a 1-0 win, if they play to a similar standard in the return, they will do very badly to lose.
Mendilbar, like the managers who preceded him, has convinced his players that winning this competition is just something Sevilla do which, along with the mighty Sanchez Pizjuan, should be enough to see them into the final.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - Ivan Rakitic (Sevilla)
No one played that well, but the old master controlled the pace of the first half with his superb passing and judicious fouling.
PLAYER RATINGS
Juventus: Szczesny 6, Danilo 7, Bonucci 6, Alex Sandro 6, Cuadrado 5, Mireti 5, Locatelli 5, Rabiot 6, Kostic 5, Di Maria 6, Vlahovic 5. Subs: Chiesa 6, Iling Jr 7, Milik 5, Gatti 7, Pogba 7.
Sevilla: Bounou 6, Navas 7, Bade 6, Gudelj 6, Acuna 6, Rakitic 7, Fernando 6, Ocampos 7, Torres 7, Gil 7, En-Nesyri 7. Subs: Montiel 6, Gomez 6, Lamela 7.
KEY MOMENTS
12’ - JUVE PLAY THROUGH THE PRESS AND COUNTER!
Dropping off, Vlahovic moves through midfield then feeds Kostic, who drills a shot just past the far post. He got a decent chunk of that, but still pulled it a touch.
20’ - KOSTIC ESCAPES DOWN THE LEFT
And crosses into the middle, where Vlahovic is arriving! This is going to be 1-0! But maybe he expected Bade to deal with it, because he doesn't go full-bore, so when Bounou misses the ball, he can only waft over the top. That was a great chance.
25’ - CHANCE FOR SEVILLA!
Navas crosses from the right, En-Nesyri flicks on, and Ocampos, running in behind, doesn't really expect it to come to him so when it does he can only shovel wide.
26’ - GOAL! Juventus 0-1 Sevilla (En-Nesyri) No mistakes this time, this is a gorgeous goal! Rakitic plays into Torres who turns around the corner - that's a great ball - and Ocampos looks up, then drills a low cross into the middle which Gil dummies, allowing En-Nesyri - who's hanging back - to open his body and scuff home inside the near post.
53’ - CHANCE FOR JUVE!
Out on the right, Di Maria clips a glorious diag over the top and the ball drops just over the defender; Chiesa is in! But he lashes at thin air, and oh dear me. That wasn't easy to take, but it was a chance.
90+7’ - GOAL! Juventus 1-1 Sevilal (Gatti) Shut up! Chiesa sweeps the corner deep, Danilo chucks a head at it, at the back post Pogba bends his back to keep it alive, and at what's now the far post, Gatti heads in before Milik can do likewise! Juve have conjured an equaliser in added time of added time!
Dropping off, Vlahovic moves through midfield then feeds Kostic, who drills a shot just past the far post. He got a decent chunk of that, but still pulled it a touch.
20’ - KOSTIC ESCAPES DOWN THE LEFT
And crosses into the middle, where Vlahovic is arriving! This is going to be 1-0! But maybe he expected Bade to deal with it, because he doesn't go full-bore, so when Bounou misses the ball, he can only waft over the top. That was a great chance.
25’ - CHANCE FOR SEVILLA!
Navas crosses from the right, En-Nesyri flicks on, and Ocampos, running in behind, doesn't really expect it to come to him so when it does he can only shovel wide.
26’ - GOAL! Juventus 0-1 Sevilla (En-Nesyri) No mistakes this time, this is a gorgeous goal! Rakitic plays into Torres who turns around the corner - that's a great ball - and Ocampos looks up, then drills a low cross into the middle which Gil dummies, allowing En-Nesyri - who's hanging back - to open his body and scuff home inside the near post.
53’ - CHANCE FOR JUVE!
Out on the right, Di Maria clips a glorious diag over the top and the ball drops just over the defender; Chiesa is in! But he lashes at thin air, and oh dear me. That wasn't easy to take, but it was a chance.
90+7’ - GOAL! Juventus 1-1 Sevilal (Gatti) Shut up! Chiesa sweeps the corner deep, Danilo chucks a head at it, at the back post Pogba bends his back to keep it alive, and at what's now the far post, Gatti heads in before Milik can do likewise! Juve have conjured an equaliser in added time of added time!
KEY STAT
- Juventus haven't won a European trophy since 1996; Sevilla have won six Europa Leagues since 2006.
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