It's Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, and it is a matchup that Shakhtar don't have fond memories of. Nine years ago, the two teams faced each other in a UEFA Cup round of 16 clash that was one for the history books.
Shakhtar managed to escape Sevilla with a 2-2 draw, and things were looking good for them in Donetsk as they were 2-1 up going into the final moments of the match. But then, in stoppage time, Dani Alves whipped in a corner which was turned in by Sevilla goalkeeper Andres Palop to force the game into extra time. Ernesto Chevanton scored the winner to break Shakhtar hearts, and Sevilla would eventually go on to win the tournament.
Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu was in charge that night, and he admitted to UEFA.com that he had revenge on his mind:
"Nine years ago, Sevilla qualified thanks to unbelievable luck and Palop's inspiration. Ten more seconds and we would have qualified! But I don't think about that game anymore; Sevilla aren't the same team. All the players have left the club since then. We will try to take revenge, but it will be very difficult."
Mircea Lucescu was the manager on that fateful night, and he wants revenge. Photo: @EuropaLeague | Twitter
Here is some key info ahead of what promises to be an intriguing match.
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sevilla
UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine
3:05 PM EST
Photo: @EuropaLeague | Twitter
Photo: @GoalUK | Twitter
Suspensions/Injuries
- Shakhtar will be without Fred, who is suspended, and the injured Marcio Azevedo.
- Sevilla's Adil Rami is touch-and-go having missed the match against Betis with a groin injury, while Jose Antonio Reyes, Benoit Tremoulinas, Vitolo and Nico Pareja are out.
Europa League Form
Shakhtar: DWWWWW
Sevilla: WLDWWL
Key Facts
- Both Sevilla and Shakhtar dropped into the Europa League from the Champions League. They are the only two teams left out of the eight to do so.
- Sevilla are unbeaten in five meetings against Ukrainian opposition. Shakhtar have lost their last four games against Spanish opposition.
- Sevilla, Europa League winners the previous two seasons, have a chance to win three successive Europa League trophies. They would be the first team to win three major UEFA tournaments in a row since Bayern Munich won the European Champion Clubs' Cup for the third time in 1975/76.
- The last time Shakhtar made it to the semi-finals, they won the competition in the very last iteration of the UEFA Cup in 2009.
- Shakhtar Donetsk are playing their home games in Lviv due to the fact that pro-Russian seperatists have taken control of the Donetsk region and declared themselves independent from the Ukraine. Lviv is 780 miles away from their home stadium in Donetsk.
- Sevilla have failed to score in two of their last three matches on the road.
The18 Prediction: Shakhtar 1-1 Sevilla
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