UEFA Europa League 2022-23: Sevilla’s route to the final

From arduous elimination to final showdown, Sevilla's Europa League journey showcases their indomitable spirit and fortitude

After a long arduous elimination journey from the base of the mountain, only two sides remain. The special one, Jose Mourinho has to battle it out with six times UEFA Europa League champs - Sevilla.

No matter what happens at Puskás Aréna, Budapest, the Spanish side's journey has been a mouthful to watch. There's something about this team and Europa League, it seems as if they are built for this competition. Domestically in LaLiga, they haven't had a fairytale season. Standing at 11th in the league, they will close the season off by traveling to Reale Arena to face Imanol Alguacil's Real Sociedad. Sociedad have already secured Champions League football and even if everything goes in favor of Los Rojiblancos. At the most, they will secure a place in the qualifiers of the third tier of European football which is the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The serial Europa League winners won't be too bothered with it, as winning the Europa League will come with its prestige and merits. Along with the winner's medal, Sevilla FC will get to play UEFA Super Cup final with the side that wins the UEFA Champions League. The Champions League showdown will host Manchester City and Italian side, Inter at Atatürk Olympic Stadium. But the cherry on the top for winning Europa League is direct seeding in the group stages of next year's Champions League.

So, even an 11th place LaLiga finish won't hinder their qualification priorities. In under 48 hours, the world will get to know who gets the Europa League crown. Before that unfolds, let's get to know how the finalist Sevilla's season unfolded in the second tier of European football -

The brief stint in the Champions League

Yes, you read it right. Before Sevilla began their thrust to glory in Europa League. They were seeded in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Along with 2022-23 Champions League finalists, Man City the Spanish side formed the Group G of the competition. The German side, Borussia Dortmund, and the Danish side, F.C. Copenhagen competed in the group.

On matchday 1, Group G saw Sevilla host Man City. The Citizens barred in with four goals without conceding. And Sevilla's Champions League demise began. Even on matchday 2, they finished 90 minutes of football goalless against Copenhagen. Hosting German side Dortmund on matchday 3 at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán wasn't pleasing either. Sevilla ended the night with a 4-1 home defeat. After the group games finished Sevilla fans witnessed just one win in a possible six.

This meant the Spanish side finish third and drop to UEFA Europa League round of 32.

Round of 32 - Dusting themselves

After dropping from Champions League football, Sevilla was quick to change moods at the home camp. Dutch side, PSV ended up losing 3-0 when they met Los Rojiblancos at home. Although Sevilla failed to score in a 2-0 away defeat. On aggregate, a 3-2 score meant they now are set to host Leg 1 of Round of 16 for Fenerbahçe S.K.

Round of 16 - Home is where the magic happens

Sevilla once again had a similar run. In the first leg at home, they secured a 2-0 lead against Turkish side, Fenerbahçe. In the second half of the home tie, Sevilla's Joan Jordan nestled a low shot from outside the box and another goal from former Tottenham Hotspur star Erik Lamela wrapped up the evening.

The return leg 1-0 away defeat was pointless. As Sevilla managed a 2-1 aggregate lead to send them through. Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium was starting to become a fortress for the six-time Europa League winners.

Quarter-finals - Red Devils were shunned off

The first leg was in the Devil's backyard. Manchester started the night on lighting speed. Marcel Sabitzer's brace gave Manchester United a 2-0 lead by halftime. But José Luis Mendilibar's side didn't hold back from staging a comeback. Late two goals in 84' and 90+2' helped Sevilla return home with a 2-2 draw.

At home, Sevilla outclassed the Red Devils. They put up three goals on an entertaining night without conceding. This saw the Spanish side lead 5-2 on aggregate and progress further.

Semi-finals - Italian Giants who?

Another parallel fixture in the quarter-finals saw Juventus narrowly edge past the Portuguese club, Sporting CP. Now Juventus and Sevilla had to collide to progress to the finals.

The Moroccan, Youssef En-Nesyri managed to put a dent in the Italian net early on in the game at Allianz Stadium. However Italian giants ended the home night with a 1-1 draw. The late equalizer from the Juventus camp was scored by Federico Gatti in 90+7' minutes.

In the second leg of the semi-final tie, for the first time in the 2022-23 Europa League season, Sevilla was seen trailing at home. Juve striker Dušan Vlahović scored on the 65' minute mark. However, the lead didn't last long for the Old Lady. Suso's 71' minute strike sent the tie to extra time.

It was Erik Lamela who settled the draw and his extra-time goal in the 95' minute helped Sevilla to reach the finals once again in many years.

It's coming home or going to Rome?

The finals in the Puskás Aréna is set to host six-time serial Europa League winners Sevilla FC and serial European trophy winner Jose Mourinho's AS Roma. Will it be former Juventus star Paulo Dybala helping his side run away with the title or José Luis Mendilibar's Los Rojiblancos marking another chapter in history that reads 'seven-time UEFA Europa League winners'? Only the night in Budapest will tell. However, after dropping from the Champions League, Sevilla made their home a fortress to get through almost all of their ties and now are in the final stage of their 2022-23 Europa League journey.