Spanish Football puts another Club into a European Football Final after Sevilla FC won 0 - 2 away at Fiorentina tonight & eliminating the Italians from the Europa League competition with a 0 - 5 aggregate scoreline. The current Europa League Champions will travel to Warsaw next month to attempt to win back to back titles & if so, win a place in Champions League next season.
Sevilla FC joins FC Barcelona as maximum representatives of Spanish Soccer in European Finals this season, with the latter playing in the Champions League Final.
Sevilla FC travelled to Italy with a very favourable 3 goal advantage after defeating Fiorentina 3 - 0 in the 1º leg match. The Italians knew that it would be an extraordinary performance from their end if they were to turn this semi - final tie around. However, all their hopes - & perhaps "dreams" - faded when Sevilla went ahead in the 22nd min when Carlos Bacca scored. The knock-out blow then followed with a second Spanish goal in the 27th min from Carriço which demoralized the Italians & put things totally beyond them.
Said this, the Italians pulled from pride & attempted to at least score a goal or two to soften the scoreline, but Sevilla goalkeeper Rico made some outstanding saves to halt Fiorentina in their endeavour. Plus it was not their night at all, as Fiorentina missed a penalty when Lilcic kicked above the bar.
Sevilla FC now meets the Ukrainians Dnipro in the UEFA Europa League Final at the end of this month after the later defeated Napoles in their semi-final 2º leg match 1 - 0.
Spanish Football Club & remaining representative Sevilla FC took a huge leap towards the Warsaw Final of the Europa League defeating Italian Club Fiorentina 3 - 0 in tonights 1º leg semi-final clash.
Excellent & overall consistent performance from Sevilla FC which was very efficient finishing off much better the opportunities they created of goal over their opponents. The Italians created theirs as well but they lacked the finishing finesse of the Spaniards. Said this Sevilla put in a very disciplined & concentrated game of Football tonight putting the Italians on the back foot most of the game. Top match from Argentine & Sevilla midfielder Benega who deserves a mention.
The main protagonist was Alexis Vidal of Sevilla who scored twice - 17th & 51st min - & Gameiro who scored the third in the 76th min after just coming on as substitute.
Sevilla now has to "finish off the job" in Italy next week when the play Fiorentina in the 2º leg return match. Although they take a comfortable 3 goals they must not relax as "strange things" can happen in Football.
Atletico de Madrid forward Adrian maybe on the verge of moving to Italy. Although the Spanish Football Club comments they have no offer, Spanish Sports media indicate that AC Roma is very interested in the forward as a substitute for departed Osvaldo. The Spanish player is "plan B" in case first objective Gilardino of Genoa fails.
But Roma is not the only Club interested, Valencia CF has also shown interest & local Football insiders comment that this option is a viable & attractive for the player. Stay tuned!
While some locally had this a done deal, the signing of Fiorentina player Adem Ljajic may have complicated itself with the "arrival" of Italian Club AC Milan on the scene. Atletico has offered around 10M€ for the 21 year old Serbian but an apparent "pre-agreement" with Milan may "torpedo" the whole operation. This last piece of news comes out of Italy but its serious enough to have the Atletico de Madrid officials concerned with this signing. Stay tuned!
News is out this morning on the Spanish Sports papers that Atletico de Madrid is following 21 year old Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic & talking with his Italian Club Fiorentina. The papers mention that the Serb is the substitute - plan B - in case their current player Adrian leaves the Spanish Club. It is being said that Valencia CF is very keen on the services of the Atletico forward.
However, last night on a popular TV Football Programme, Football journalist Siro Lopez went one step further & mentioned that Atletico de Madrid had shut the deal totally with Fiorentina & would be the next new player of Atletico de Madrid. The journalist went further again to say that current player Adrian was not in the equation as other papers have mentioned today & comes to fill the midfield gap that Coach Simeone had reserved for Brazilian midfielder Diego Ribas of Wolfsburg. The signing of the latter has complicated itself & Atletico de Madrid with very limited signing "resources" has opted for Ljajic.
The Serbian is considered a European Football promise & has won admirers in Italy for his quality Football & playing vision. The player has been a target of various Italian Clubs, one of which has been AC Milan.
As always in theses cases of speculation & rumours it is wise to wait for official Club announcements, something that said journalist Siro Lopez comments will come within the next hours.
Stay tuned!
Stevan Jovetic, 23 year old Montenegro & Fiorentina forward is attracting headlines in the Spanish Sports papers. This relatively unknown player in Spain is rumoured to be on the list of players that new Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti has solicited to join his planned squad With current forward Gonzalo Higuian wanting to get out of Real Madrid, the incorporation of Jovatic is a possibility.
The player has been starring in Italian Football & Juventus along with other European Clubs have asked & even circled the name for their future plans. But here in Spain it is speculated that Real Madrid may make an offer of around 23 - 25 M€ to sign the "Football Pearl". Stevan Jovetic wishes to move on from Italian Football as his desire is to make a jump in his career to one of the "Big Clubs" & continue evolving.
Who knows the Montenegro International may take the "Real Madrid" train if it finally passes through his station. Stay tuned, I will be keeping a close watch on this "rumour".
Marcelo, Drenthe nor Arbeloa satisfy & guarantee the left back positionwhich has been the place that opponents have exploited to "smash"the REAL MADRID defence & score goals. It was evident in the Sevilla
FC, AC Milan & Alcorcon losses of late.
With this problem in need of urgent solution, Club Director General
Jorge Valdano may have a name, & the local media is publishing that
there are already contacts to sign FIORENTINA defender & Peru
International JUAN VARGAS. In fact, the Italian Club President
Mr.Corvino has acknowledged that Real Madrid is definately interestedin his player & may make a move in the upcoming "Winter Transfer
Market".
Stay tuned!
Italian Sports daily “La Gazzetta dello Sport” announce that Italian
Serie A Club FIORENTINA is searching for a proven & experienced
defender for next season, & the player on their mind is FC
BARCELONA Mexican International RAFAEL MAZQUEZ. The only
hurdle in view is the possible high transfer figure that maybe asked
for by Barça if they see the idea as positive, which is in doubt at thisearly stage of news.
Staying with FIORENTINA, the same paper indicates that they too
are interested in Valencia CF defender RAUL ALBIOL – as Real Madrid
- & Real Madrid Dutch youngster ROYSTON DRENTE.
I don´t have to remind that we are in speculation season.
