Sevilla ends unusually poor season celebrating one more Europa League title

It was the same old ending for Sevilla in an uncommon season for the Spanish soccer membership.

Sevilla received the Europa League trophy but once more on Thursday after a season by which it went by way of teaching adjustments and needed to struggle simply to keep away from relegation within the Spanish league.

The staff’s struggles had been shortly forgotten with its victory on penalties over Roma within the Europa League remaining on Wednesday in Budapest, which gave the membership a document seventh title within the second-tier European competitors.

What regarded like a season to neglect became triumph after one other spectacular marketing campaign by the Spanish membership within the competitors the place it has been dominant lately. Five of its titles got here inside the final 10 years – 2014-16, 2020 and 2023.

This time, Sevilla eradicated European powerhouses Manchester United within the quarterfinals and Juventus within the semifinals. It had gotten previous Fenerbahce and PSV Eindhoven in earlier rounds.

On Wednesday, the staff beat José Mourinho-coached Roma 4-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

PHOTOS: Sevilla ends unusually poor season celebrating one more Europa League title

Sevilla’s turnaround this season got here after the membership determined to interchange Jorge Sampaoli with José Luis Mendilibar in March. Before Mendilibar arrived, the staff had received solely twice in eight video games in all competitions, with 5 losses. Since he took over, Sevilla misplaced solely twice in 16 video games.

“I’m happy to be here, to have won for the club, which was having a hard time when we got here,” Mendilibar stated. “We have done something good that can have repercussions for the good of the club.”

The coach who had spent a big a part of his profession with Eibar got here on a contract till the top of the season however was anticipated to stick with Sevilla following his profitable stint.

“He transformed us,” stated Sevilla defender Jesús Navas, the one participant from the present squad who was with the membership when it received the Europa League title for the primary time in 2006. “He got the best out of us and the result is there. He deserves to be with this club for a long time.”

Sampaoli had taken over for Julen Lopetegui after the staff’s unusually poor begin to the season. Sevilla had completed fourth within the league the final three seasons, solely behind powerhouses Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

This time it’s sitting in eleventh place getting into its remaining match at Real Sociedad on Sunday, and can solely make it to the Champions League once more subsequent season because of its Europa League title.

Sevilla made it to the Champions League quarterfinals in 2018, however since then had solely as soon as superior previous the group stage.