Sevilla enjoyed yet another special night in the Europa League, and Manchester United were forced to pay their reserves in front of goal. Cologne came from behind to reach Friday’s final by a 2-1 win.
Bruno Fernandez’s early penalty was canceled by Suso’s strike to Sevilla in the hotly contested first half. But United wasted all the big chances after the break and Bono looked stunning until substitute Luc de Jong turned the ball over with Jesus Navas’ cross for 12 minutes.
United have already secured their place in the Champions League by finishing third in the Premier League the following season, but their three-year wait for the trophy continues and Soulsjerk to restore the Red Devils to their former glory ahead of Ole Gunnar.
Sevilla have now won 25 of their last 26 Europa League knockout ties and believe that they will be looking to win the competition for the sixth time after riding their luck when they face Inter Milan or Shaktar Donetsk in the final.
Julen Lopetegui’s men are now unbeaten in a club-record 20 matches, but United’s front-four speed and movement erased Marcus Rashford’s Diego Carlos’ opening try after Bono’s save.
Fernandez has forgotten United’s early season woes as the Portuguese converted the club’s eighth penalty and awarded the 22nd Red Devils a 13-month-long campaign.
Fred then fired extensively to defeat Bono and regretted that United did not make much of their bright start. Ever Banega drove in the game two years ago after beating Sevilla United in the Champions League, and Argentina began to regain control as Sevilla rebounded and equalized with a good team goal in 19 minutes.
On-loan Real Madrid left-back Sergio Reguillon has been demanded by several top European clubs, and his run opened up United defense before former Liverpool winger Suso’s cross was thrown home.
Despite the lack of crowd in Cologne, there was no lack of enthusiasm and tension, as both benches exchanged words. United pulled out a hurricane Sevilla to end the first half, with Anthony Marshall firing from the edge of the area before long-range attempts by Bono Rashford and Fernandez.
The English giants still had good chances to come after the break, but a combination of bono, poor finishing and brave last ditch defending kept them at bay.
Martial is the biggest culprit, because when Sevilla’s second-choice stoppage began to cut through Sevilla, like the French ichne, the French refused one-on-one.
Lopetegui responded by bringing in top scorers Lucas Ocampos and Youssef El-Nesiri to the perfection of De Jong and Muneer El Haddadi and former Spain and Madrid coaches.
De Jong had a difficult first in Spain, but he went to great lengths to defend himself, as he was alive to bring home the cross of former Manchester City winger Nawaz with United Defense Sleeping.
