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Sevilla have done it again. On yet another thrilling night in Germany, the Andalusians fought against the odds to win the UEFA Europa League for a record 6th time. Julen Lopetegui won his first trophy as a manager thanks to the bite that the Sevillans showed to fight back and plough out a victory.
It was Inter Milan who took the lead after Romelu Lukaku was cynically brought down in the box by Diego Carlos after he chased a long ball down and stormed into the area. Lukaku converted the penalty to give Inter the lead before Luuk De Jong levelled it up in the 12th minute off a Jesus Navas cross.
Sevilla would then go ahead with De Jong once again finding the net; this time heading the ball home from a set-piece. Godin restored parity on the other end with a header.
However, it was all Sevilla in the second half save for a couple of Inter chances that were aggressively blocked. All the hard work Sevilla put in paid off when Diego Carlos' overhead kick was deflected home by Romelu Lukaku in the 74th minute.
Let's take a look at the hits and flops from the game.
#5 Hit- Sergio Reguilon (Sevilla)
The Real Madrid loanee was as reliable as he's been throughout this season. Reguilon was relentlessly shuttling up and down the left flank, pressing high and winning the ball back in key areas for his side.
The 23-year-old showed once again why he is one of the best young left-backs in the world, dispensing his defensive and offensive duties with aplomb. Reguilon was excellent at cutting passing lanes and was always available to motor forward and cause problems to the Inter Milan defence.
His pace often troubled the likes of Diego Godin and after the Europa League final, his market value is sure to rise.
#4 Flop- Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Lautaro Martinez was almost a ghost today. He was nowhere to be seen. There was a move where Lukaku had broken into the final third ahead of the Sevilla attackers but had to turn around and wait several seconds for support to arrive.
Martinez did nothing to justify his reported €50 million price tag and the Argentine had a night to forget. The 22-year-old has showed that he still has a long way to go and just couldn't come up with the goods in a tightly contested affair against the tenaciousness Sevillans.
#3 Hit- Jesus Navas (Sevilla)
The twinkle-toed Sevilla captain brought all his experience to the forefront and was arguably the best player on the pitch. Just like Sergio Reguilon, Jesus Navas helped Sevilla make sure they did not concede spaces for the Inter Milan players to play around on his flank.
He pressed high up the pitch and looked much younger than 34 with his energy levels never dipping. It was Navas who whipped in the delightful cross that De Jong headed home to equalize after going behind in the 5th minute.
Navas was, at times, so far high up the pitch that you'd mistake him for a winger. But that doesn't mean he ever relinquished his defensive duties. He kept his cool and stepped up to the task whenever called upon and put on a show worthy of the armband in every respect.
#2 Flop- Roberto Gagliardini (Inter Milan)
Roberto Gagliardini's work rate cannot be faulted. The 26-year-old puts in a lot of work, hustling to try to break up play and win the ball back on occasion. However, the Italian offered little to no contribution going forward and failed to justify Conte's decision to opt him as the starter ahead of Christian Eriksen.
Gagliardini was also beaten in the air by Luuk De Jong for Sevilla's goal and had a tough time against Banega and Joan Jordan. The Inter Milan midfielder was too sloppy on the ball at times and looked bereft of ideas in the second half.
#1 Hit- Luuk De Jong (Sevilla)
Sevilla's semi-final hero, whose all important goal from the bench against Manchester United propelled them to the finals, was given a start here and Lopetegui's gamble paid off and then some. De Jong was excellent for Sevilla against Inter Milan tonight.
His first was a diving header from a whipped-in cross and the second a looping one from a set-piece delivery. It is the Dutchman's movement that caused the Inter Milan defence to crumble and De Jong came up trumps when it mattered most.
The Inter Milan defenders will wish they had dealt with him better.
