Inter Milan will be looking to win their first piece of European silverware for 10 years when they take on Spanish giants Sevilla in the Europa League final on Friday night.
Antonio Conte's side breezed past Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals to advance, while Sevilla recorded a 2-1 win over Manchester United to book their position in the final once again.
Match preview
The most successful side in the history of this competition, Sevilla have won the UEFA Cup/Europa League on five occasions, most recently lifting the European trophy in 2016, which proved to be their third in succession.
Man United were regarded by many to be the favourites for Sunday's semi-final, and the Red Devils actually took the lead in the ninth minute of the contest when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot. Former Liverpool attacker Suso equalised in the 26th minute, though, before Luuk de Jong came up with a 78th-minute winner for the La Liga club.
Julen Lopetegui's side have now beaten Roma, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Man United in their last three European matches and will be determined to lift this particular trophy for a record-extending sixth time.
Interestingly, Friday's clash will be the first ever meeting between the two sides in European competition, but Sevilla have been victorious in their last three games against Italian opposition, beating Roma earlier this month and also overcoming Lazio twice in the last-32 stage of the 2018-19 Europa League.
Sevilla's record on German soil in European competition is also strong, winning nine of their 13 matches, suffering just three defeats. They have also been victorious in six of their 13 previous games against Italian opposition and have triumphed in all three of their Europa League knockout ties against Serie A teams.
This is the fourth time that Los Nervionenses have been present in the Europa League final, and they have won their last three, beating Benfica in 2014, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in 2015 and Liverpool in 2016.
Sevilla will bring a 20-game unbeaten run into Friday's contest and have won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions. Indeed, a successful end to the 2019-20 La Liga season saw them claim fourth, meaning that they will be present in the 2020-21 Champions League.
Not since a 2-1 reverse at Celta Vigo on February 9 have Lopetegui's side lost a single match in any competition, but they will surely have to be somewhere close to their best in order to overcome an in-form Inter in the showpiece final.
Like Sevilla, Inter's form is also excellent, winning each of their last six matches in all competitions, while they have only lost once since the beginning of March - a 2-1 reverse at home to Bologna on July 5.
Conte's side finished just one point behind Juventus in the 2019-20 Serie A table, claiming a top-two spot in Italy's top flight for the first time since 2010-11, which is an indication of their improvement this term.
The Black and Blues have, without question, made huge steps forward under Conte, and a strong summer transfer window could see them challenge for more silverware next season.
Inter are actually the joint-second most successful side in this competition with three trophies, last lifting the UEFA Cup in 1998. They are without European silverware since winning the Champions League in 2010, though, which is too long for the 18-time Italian champions.
I Nerazzurri beat Getafe and Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 and quarter-finals respectively to set up a semi-final with Shakhtar, who would have entered the last-four contest full of confidence.
Inter scored five times without reply in Dusseldorf, though, with forward duo Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku both netting two goals each to continue their excellent campaigns. Indeed, Martinez now has 21 goals in 48 appearances at club level this term, while Lukaku has 33 goals in 50 outings.
The Italian outfit have only won 14 of their 43 previous European games against Spanish opposition, though, suffering 18 defeats in the process, including two losses to Barcelona in this season's Champions League.
Inter will be full of confidence following a run of six straight wins, which has seen them concede just one goal, but Conte must ensure that his players are fully focused against a Sevilla side that are more than capable of winning the competition for a sixth occasion.
Sevilla Europa League form: LDDWWW
Sevilla form (all competitions): WDWWWW
Inter Milan Europa League form: LWWWWW
Inter Milan form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
Sevilla's only injury worry surrounds key attacker Lucas Ocampos, who limped off the field during the semi-final against United. The Argentine is being tipped to recover for Friday's final, though, meaning that Lopetegui could name an unchanged side from the clash with the Red Devils.
De Jong came off the bench to score the winner against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, but Youssef En-Nesyri could again get the nod from the start, with the latter again potentially featuring as a substitute.
Diego Carlos - linked with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks - will again be joined in the heart of the defence by Jules Kounde, with Jesus Navas and Sergio Reguilon in the full-back areas.
Ever Banega impressed in Sevilla's victory on Sunday night, and the experienced midfielder is likely to keep his spot alongside Fernando and Joan Jordan in the middle of the park.
As for Inter, it could be a case of same again from Conte when it comes to team selection. Matias Vecino is definitely out with a knee injury, but there is a chance that Alexis Sanchez - recently signed on a permanent deal from Manchester United - could feature, having battled back from a thigh issue.
Alessandro Bastoni is again expected to get the nod over Milan Skriniar as part of a back three alongside Diego Godin and Stefan de Vrij, while Ashley Young and Danilo D'Ambrosio should keep their wing-back roles.
Roberto Gagliardini is also likely to retain his position in the middle of the park, meaning that the likes of Christian Eriksen and Stefano Sensi might have to accept spots on the bench once again.
As mentioned, Lukaku and Martinez have formed an impressive partnership for Inter this term, and the pair will again lead the line in a 3-5-2 formation, leaving Sanchez in reserve if the Chilean can prove his fitness.
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Navas, Kounde, Diego Carlos, Reguilon; Fernando, Jordan, Banega; Ocampos, En-Nesyri, Suso
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Godin, Bastoni, De Vrij; D'Ambrosio, Gagliardini, Barella, Brozovic, Young; Martinez, Lukaku
Head To Head
As mentioned, Friday's clash will be the first ever European meeting between the two sides, but both have plenty of experience in matches against Italian and Spanish opposition in UEFA competition.
Sevilla have won six, drawn two and lost five of their previous 13 games against Serie A clubs in European football, while Inter have won 14, drawn 11 and lost 18 against Spanish teams.
We say: Sevilla 1-2 Inter Milan
It is incredibly difficult to predict the outcome of this match as Sevilla's history of the competition deserves so much respect. The Spanish outfit's form is also excellent, but we just have a feeling for Inter due to their firepower in the final third of the field and expect Conte's side to shade a very tight encounter in Cologne.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a Sevilla win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:databody check tags ::
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