The UEFA Europa League 2019/20 edition of the competition finally saw the curtain come down in August 2020 when Sevilla continued their tradition of winning the football tournament when they reached the quarter-final stages of the Cup. The UEFA Europa League certainly operated in a hugely different way compared to how it would normally have been scheduled, however it still ran as smoothly as possible with everything considered.
There were a number of close-fought contests throughout the competition that made it extremely entertaining for those watching, with some of Europe’s unlikely football teams making it to impressive stages of the tournament.
As mentioned, Sevilla managed to win their sixth title – therefore becoming the all-time leader for the most title successes – as they managed to oversee every side they faced with some great football being played under Julen Lopetegui, although they did ride their luck at times. Nonetheless, they did beat the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United as they reached the final in Germany, where they defeated Inter Milan.
Keeping in line with some traditions that the UEFA Europa League has produced over the years, the 2019/20 edition of the football tournament has been no different as there were a number of results and surprises to be recorded.
For instance, not many would have expected Olympiakos to have managed to beat the challenge of Arsenal in the knockout rounds, whilst many would not have foreseen the likes of FC Kobenhavn and Getafe CF from reaching the latter rounds of the knockout stage of the football tournament.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes would go on to end up as top goalscorer of the competition with eight goals, having scored five of those for Sporting CP prior to his January move to Old Trafford, whilst former Red Devil Romelu Lukaku finished second in the charts as he bagged seven for Inter including one in the final.
Sevilla’s Luuk de Jong turned things up a notch in the latter rounds of the competition, as he scored in the semi-final and final – netting a brace in the grand showpiece.
UEFA Europa League 2019/20 Final
Indeed, Sevilla would go on to meet Inter Milan in the final of the UEFA Europa League in the 2019/20 edition of the football competition and would continue their winning tradition when playing in the tournament.
The Spaniards found themselves behind instantly when Lukaku netted from the penalty spot, although De Jong replied around ten minutes later to bring them back level. The Dutch forward would then put his side in front at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, although Diego Godin instantly replied and brought the game back to all square.
Lukaku certainly had the goalscoring touch, however, he, unfortunately, put the ball into his own net and gave Sevilla their sixth UEFA Europa League title with 15 minutes of the tie left to be played.
UEFA Europa League 2020/21 Preview
Due to the unprecedented stop in play, last season and the extension everyone had faced to get the football tournament completed, fans and clubs will not have to wait too long before they see the Europa League 2020/21 edition return, with the qualification rounds having already started.
With Sevilla having earned the right to play in the UEFA Champions League for the 2020/21 campaign after winning the Europa League, there could be a new winner crowned when the game is played at the Stadion Energa Gdańsk in Poland (provided no unforeseen circumstances happen).
Nonetheless, with the format of the football competition allowing for teams in the UEFA Champions League who finish third of their respective groups allowed to enter into the UEFA Europa League knockout stages, a familiar face could be seen lifting the trophy aloft in May.
Clubs to have already qualified for the Group Stage include the likes of Arsenal and Leicester City representing England, SSC Napoli and AS Roma from Italy, Villarreal and Real Sociedad from Spain whilst Germany have the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and 1899 TSG Hoffenheim representing them.
Therefore, there will still be a number of stars to keep a lookout for in the next edition of the UEFA Europa League, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Jamie Vardy, Dries Mertens and Pedro all likely to make appearances throughout the campaign, whilst Harry Kane and Heung-min Son will feature for José Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur if they are able to progress from the qualifying stage of the tournament.
With so many top teams involved in the UEFA Europa League from the beginning, as well as the possibility of established European giants from the UEFA Champions League entering after the Group Stage as well, EagleBet feel the 2020/21 edition of the competition certainly looks as appealing as ever.
