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Home , Aaron Leya Iseka, Abdoulay Konko, Ager Aketxe, Andreas Pereira, Antonio Puerta, Aritz Aduriz

Technical report 2015/16 Contents

4 6 14 18 Introduction Road to Basel The final Emery’s golden touch 20 24 30 32 Results Technical Route First topics to goal wins? 34 36 40 42 Goals of the Talking All-star Statistics: season points squad passing 43 44 45 46 Statistics: Statistics: Statistics: Team goal attempts possession disciplinary profiles

3 INTRODUCTION Spotting the Group A Group B trends Molde FK Fenerbahçe SK AFC Ajax Celtic FC FC FC Sion FC Rubin Kazan FC Girondins de Bordeaux UEFA’s technical observers provide a valuable insight into Group C Group D the 2015/16 season

The 2015/16 UEFA Europa League delivered They were joined by Jacques Crevoisier, an exciting final and a familiar winner, who was assistant manager of Liverpool’s FC Krasnodar Borussia PAOK FC Qäbälä FK SSC Napoli FC Midtjylland Club Brugge KV Legia Sevilla FC. The Andalusians deserved their 2001 UEFA Cup-winning team, along with Dortmund Warszawa eventual triumph in a final that really was Stefan Majewski, sports director of the a game of two halves. Their high-energy Polish Football Federation, and László second-half display was too much for Szalai, the Hungarian Football Federation’s Group E Group F Liverpool FC and and Coke technical director. (two) scored the goals that brought them Their thoughts are supplemented in their third consecutive victory. this review by the following additional Football has a tendency to evolve slowly observers, who provided reports from rather than transform and one could argue previous games in the competition: Dušan SK Rapid Wien Villarreal CF FC Viktoria FC Dinamo SC Braga Olympique de FC Slovan FC Groningen that the wider trends on display over Fitzel, technical director of the Football Plzeň Minsk Marseille Liberec the last few seasons are mirrored by this Association of the Czech Republic; Sevilla side. Their exploits have been built Peter Rudbæk, technical director of the Group G Group H on defensive solidity and they are equally Danish Football Association; Willibald adept at playing without the ball as with Ruttensteiner, sports director of the it and demonstrate an ability to launch Austrian Football Association; Ghenadie quick and decisive attacks from all over the Scurtul, technical director of the Football pitch. The importance of fast transitions Association of Moldova; Jean-Francois “The seventh season of the current that the majority of the competition’s Domergue, head of football development SS Lazio AS FC Dnipro Rosenborg BK FC Lokomotiv Sporting Clube Beşiktaş JK KF Skënderbeu format of the UEFA Europa League Saint-Étienne Dnipropetrovsk Moskva de most successful teams display is just one at UEFA. has again emphasised the increasing of the many technical topics covered in Together we have produced what quality, both from an off-field and on- this report, which aims to tell the story of we hope is a meaningful resource for Group I Group J field point of view, of the competition. the season from a coaching point of view the wider European football coaching I hope that you enjoy this technical and includes, for instance, discussions on community, which includes more than report and again congratulate Sevilla the prevalence of attacking full-backs as 200,000 licensed coaches. We hope FC for their outstanding achievement.” well as profiles and key features on all the you enjoy reading it. round of 16 teams. Ángel María Villar Llona, FC Basel 1893 ACF Fiorentina KKS Lech Os Belenenses Tottenham RSC AS Monaco FC Qarabağ FK The report is a unique record of the Ioan Lupescu UEFA first vice-president Poznań Hotspur FC Anderlecht 2015/16 UEFA Europa League campaign. UEFA chief technical officer It is the work of UEFA’s team of technical Group K Group L observers which provided reports from every match from the round of 16 onwards and included the respected coaching figures who met the day after the final to reflect on trends witnessed in the UEFA FC Schalke 04 AC Sparta Asteras Tripoli FC APOEL FC Athletic Club FC Augsburg FK Partizan AZ Alkmaar Europa League season. UEFA coaching Praha ambassador Sir drew on his vast knowledge and experience of European club competition while Ginés Clubs joined from the UEFA Champions League Meléndez, technical director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, brought his valued insights into Sevilla’s success story.

The technical observers team at the final (from left to Galatasaray AŞ Bayer 04 Olympiacos FC FC Porto Sevilla FC FC Shakhtar CF right): Stefan Majewski, Jacques Crevoisier, Sir Alex Leverkusen United FC Donetsk Ferguson, Ioan Lupescu, László Szalai, Ginés Meléndez

4 5 SEASON OVERVIEW

57,000 ’s crowd for the matchday four win against Qäbälä Road to was a record for the UEFA Europa League group stage. 5 Basel Napoli hit five goals in each of their three home games, beating Club Brugge 5-0, Midtjylland 5-0 and Legia Warszawa 5-2. Record crowds and some breathtaking drama 40 provided the backdrop to a memorable campaign Daniel Hestad became the competition’s oldest scorer when netting in Molde’s win at Celtic, aged 40 years and 98 days. 20 Club Brugge were competing in the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League, including qualifying, for the 20th season running.

Athletic striker , the competition’s top scorer, bursts through the Partizan defence (top); record-breaker Daniel Hestad was a key figure in Molde’s run to the knockout stage (bottom)

Group stage

Eventual finalists Liverpool FC were one advanced unbeaten too, as did de Portugal, three of the newcomers – of five teams who survived the group FC Schalke 04 and AC Sparta Praha. FC Sion, FC Midtjylland and FC Augsburg stage unbeaten, though they were slow The group stage had begun on 17 – earned longer stays by securing the to find a winning groove, having to wait September with 48 clubs from 22 runners-up spots in their groups. until matchday four before posting their countries competing. An undoubted In Augsburg’s case, they won through first victory in manager Jürgen Klopp’s strength of the UEFA Europa League is in dramatic circumstances thanks to 3-1 second European fixture after replacing its great diversity and the presence of matchday six victory against FK Partizan. . Albania’s KF Skënderbeu among the Raúl Bobadilla provided the 89th-minute Instead the outstanding team of the eight clubs involved for the first time strike which meant they ousted their group stage were ’s SSC means there have now been 37 different Serbian rivals on goal difference. Curiously, Napoli who won all six games and scored countries represented in the competition’s of the eventual eight quarter-final teams, 22 goals – José Callejón and Dries Martens group stage. only three finished top of their groups – hitting five each to help the Italian side While Skënderbeu exited the tournament Liverpool, Athletic Club and SC Braga. Gonzalo Higuaín’s Napoli won all six of their group achieve a record tally for the UEFA Europa in December, albeit with the warm memory stage games League. Napoli’s compatriots SS Lazio of a 3-0 home win against Sporting Clube

6 7 SEASON OVERVIEW

6 Round of 16 Only six of the 12 group winners There was no mistaking the tie of the round: difference after following up a 1-0 home away winners en route to a 4-1 aggregate survived the round of 32. Liverpool and Manchester United, the two success with a 2-1 defeat at Mestalla. Aritz success against Anderlecht. most successful clubs in English football, Aduriz, the competition’s top scorer, hit the Arguably the performance of the round, faced off and it was Jürgen Klopp’s men decisive away goal in the 76th minute. though, was witnessed in Rome, where 2 who came out on top. Valencia bowed out but the two other Sparta stunned Lazio with a 3-0 second- , 18, marked his Liverpool seized control with a first-leg Spanish teams, Sevilla and Villarreal, joined leg triumph (4-1 agg). Czech Republic Manchester United debut with two performance at brimming with Athletic in the last eight. Sevilla ended winger Ladislav Krejčí led the way with a goals against Midtjylland. energy and purpose, and but for David Basel’s dream of a home final with a 3-0 goal and an assist as the Prague club won de Gea in United’s goal they would have second-leg triumph in (3-0 agg) through to their first European quarter-final won by more than the 2-0 margin secured while Villarreal followed up a 2-0 first-leg since the 1983/84 UEFA Cup, when their 50 through ’s penalty and success against Leverkusen – through coach Zdeněk Ščasný was playing. Sevilla’s Daniel Carriço became the . The second leg drew ’s double – with a goalless Braga caused another upset by first man to make 50 appearances a UEFA Europa League record crowd of draw in Germany. overturning a 1-0 first-leg loss against in the UEFA Europa League proper 75,180 spectators to , where The other German contenders, Fenerbahçe with a 4-1 home victory on in the tie against Molde. ’s cute dinked finish Dortmund, made light work of Tottenham, a night when the Turkish side ended the ended United’s hopes in a 1-1 draw. winning home (3-0) and away (2-1) against match with eight men, having had Mehmet There was another tie pitting clubs from the Londoners, with Pierre-Emerick Topal, Alper Potuk and substitute Volkan the same country in Spain, where Athletic Aubameyang scoring three goals over the Sen sent off in the second half. Club got the better of Valencia on goal two legs. Shakhtar were also home and 75,180 A tournament-record crowd of 75,180 at Old Trafford saw Liverpool eliminate arch-rivals Lukáš Juliš heads in as Manchester United. Sparta take command against Krasnodar 32 Round of 32 Sparta progressed to their first European quarter-final in 32 years The arrival of Sevilla FC and Valencia CF in by finishing first in Group A – toppling leg home victory and took a 1-0 lead in the thanks to a 12-match unbeaten run. the competition – as two of eight entrants former European champions AFC Ajax and return, only to eventually lose 5-1 as United from the UEFA Champions League – meant Celtic FC in the process. For Ole Gunnar set up a last-16 encounter with Liverpool, there were now four Spanish contenders Solskjær’s side, though, there was no who had overcome Augsburg (1-0 agg). 76 and they all progressed to the last 16. coming back after a 3-0 first-leg loss As for the other English representatives, Shakhtar defender Olexandr Kucher, Valencia had the most spectacular in . Tottenham Hotspur FC, a rematch with 33, scored his first European victory as they beat Group E winners Besides Molde, Napoli and Rapid, there ACF Fiorentina allowed them to avenge the competition goal on his 76th outing SK Rapid Wien 10-0 on aggregate. In the were three other group winners who fell previous season’s round of 32 loss as they in the home win against Anderlecht. highlight of Gary Neville’s short reign as at this hurdle: FK Krasnodar lost to Sparta progressed 4-1 on aggregate. coach at Mestalla, Valencia actually led (0-4 agg), FC Lokomotiv Moskva went Not every team coming in from the Rapid 5-0 after 35 minutes of their 6-0 down to Fenerbahçe SK (1-3 agg), and FC UEFA Champions League found it Liverpool got the better of first-leg victory in Spain. Schalke 04 fell to FC Shakhtar Donetsk straightforward. In fact, there were Manchester United in the first European meeting Villarreal CF had a more hard-earned (0-3 agg). Eventual semi-finalists Shahktar, defeats for Galatasaray AŞ, FC Porto between the two rivals success as they eliminated the team of newly arrived from the UEFA Champions and Olympiacos FC – against Lazio, the group stage, Napoli. Young winger League, scored all three of their goals in Borussia Dortmund and RSC Anderlecht Denis Suárez highlighted his personal the second leg in Germany – including a respectively. Porto were not the only progress with the free-kick winner in the cute back-heel finish by Marlos to round off Portuguese hopefuls to suffer, Sporting first leg which provided a platform for a a lightning breakaway. going out to (1-4 agg), 2-1 aggregate victory – the same score by Another of the new arrivals, Manchester which left just Braga standing after their which Athletic Club overcame Olympique United FC, ended the journey of Danish 4-3 victory against Sion. Last but not least, de Marseille. side Midtjylland, who had started their Basel kept alive their hopes of reaching the As for Sevilla, they burst the bubble of campaign the previous July, eliminating final on home soil after Luca Zuffi’s added- another of the group winners, Molde FK, Southampton FC in the play-offs en route. time goal snatched an away-goals victory who had made unprecedented progress They gave United a scare with a 2-1 first- against AS Saint-Étienne.

8 9 SEASON OVERVIEW

Quarter-finals

Liverpool wrote the story of the round by pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in their European history – against manager Jürgen Klopp’s former club Dortmund. Liverpool looked down and out “Liverpool pulled off one of the when put Dortmund 3-1 ahead greatest comebacks in their in the 57th minute of the second leg – a 4-2 lead on aggregate – yet the Premier European history against Jürgen League club somehow found a way back, Klopp’s former club Dortmund” Philippe Coutinho and scoring before ’s header in the first minute of added time decided the tie. Sevilla advanced in dramatic circumstances too, 5-4 on penalties against Athletic after the Basque visitors had won 2-1 at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán to cancel out Sevilla’s identical advantage from the first leg. Villarreal also progressed, despite Sparta becoming the first visiting side to score at El Madrigal in the 2015/16 campaign. That away goal in a 2-1 defeat was not enough as Villarreal triumphed 4-2 in Prague to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory. Shakhtar posted an even more emphatic 6-1 aggregate win against Braga to reach their first European semi-final since lifting the trophy in 2009. 2 Kevin Gameiro’s winning penalty against Athletic was his second in a UEFA Europa League shoot-out for Cédric Bakambu scored four goals for Sevilla – the first was in the 2014 final Villarreal in two games against Sparta against Benfica. 486 Darijo Srna scored on his club-record 486th appearance for Shakhtar in a 4-0 home win against Braga.

Dejan Lovren celebrates scoring Liverpool’s dramatic late goal that decided their quarter-final Shakhtar forward Viktor Kovalenko gets against Dortmund the better of Braga’s Ricardo Ferreira

10 11 SEASON OVERVIEW

Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is unable to stop scoring Liverpool’s third goal at Anfield; Shakhtar’s second-leg loss to Sevilla was Mircea Lucescu’s last in charge (below left); Mariano Ferreira fires in Sevilla’s third goal in the second leg against Shakhtar (below right)

Semi-finals

Sevilla advanced to their fifth final in 11 counterpart, , by contrast, semi-final loss on Villarreal – and take the seasons after a closely contested semi- another date with destiny now beckoned. Reds to their 12th major European final. final with Shakhtar. Mircea Lucescu’s side Sevilla’s final opponents would be were eight minutes away from a sixth Liverpool after the Merseysiders ended straight UEFA Europa League win when Spanish hopes of an all-Liga final by Kevin Gameiro’s penalty earned Sevilla a beating Villarreal. Adrián López’s added- 2-2 first-leg draw in . The Frenchman time strike earned Marcelino’s side a 1-0 struck twice more in the second leg in first-leg home win, but Liverpool plugged 15 Liverpool’s was Spain to help Sevilla win 3-1 on the night into the power of Anfield in the return leg the only player to make 15 and 5-3 on aggregate. For Shakhtar and Villarreal were blown away. After appearances from the first group it marked the end of an era – the last ’s early own goal, Daniel fixture through to the final. European tie of coach Mircea Lucescu’s Sturridge and Adam Lallana added decorated 12-year tenure. For his Sevilla second-half strikes to inflict a third

12 13 THE FINAL

‘Liverpool FC European Royalty’ read one Daniel Sturridge fires of the numerous red flags draped from Liverpool in front the upper tier of the Gellert Stand inside St. Jakob-Park on the night of the 2016 Hat-trick UEFA Europa League final. Liverpool, with five European Cups and three UEFA Cups, are certainly that, but the evening of 18 May 2016 pitted them against a team who have been busy establishing a rich European heroes heritage of their own since the last of the Merseysiders’ triumphs in 2005. For Sevilla FC, this was a third successive UEFA Europa League final and an opportunity to make history as the first club in 40 years Kevin Gameiro’s goal 17 seconds after half-time to complete a hat-trick of European turned the final on its head and set Sevilla on their trophy victories. The weather – cool and wet – was way to a record third straight title English and three-quarters of supporters inside St. Jakob-Park were swathed in Liverpool red, but while the Sevillistas were outnumbered, they would not be outsung and they made an impressive statement before kick-off: ‘The Champion is here!!!’ read the giant flag unfurled alongside a “Sturridge’s precise finish was curled banner of a bald, bearded ‘Abuelito’, the cartoon grandfather who is a popular with the outside of his left boot into the symbol of the Sevilla fans. far corner of the net” On the field it was Liverpool, seeking some tangible reward at the conclusion Lallana on the edge of his box, he turned the build-up as he picked up a wayward of manager Jürgen Klopp’s first campaign, cleverly into space and shepherded defensive header by Escudero and worked who emerged as the better team in the first the ball away. It was a piece of skill that the ball on to Philippe Coutinho, who in turn half. The sight of Adam Lallana chasing earned an admiring nod from the watching fed Sturridge on the corner of the penalty down Sevilla left-back Sergio Escudero Sir Alex Ferguson. box. With Mariano Ferreira backing off, early on foretold a first half full of energy Sir Alex, watching the final with UEFA’s the England striker had time to take three and endeavour from Klopp’s men and Technical Observers’ Group, would note touches and look up before producing a Daniel Carriço, the Sevilla centre-back, that in these opening 45 minutes Liverpool beautifully precise finish, curled with the had to come to his side’s rescue in the “played on mistakes by Sevilla”, brought outside of his left boot past Soria’s left arm 11th minute, hooking the ball clear after about by their intensive pressing. They and into the far corner of the net. Cue his Daniel Sturridge had headed Nathaniel were the team finding the few openings, trademark body-popping celebration. Clyne’s far-post cross beyond goalkeeper and in the 25th minute, the Reds created On the touchline Klopp pointed his index . another opportunity for Sturridge from fingers to his head, instructing his players Clyne’s run and cross had offered an Lallana’s reverse pass, but the alert Soria to keep calm – though his simultaneous early sign that Liverpool were targeting was out quickly to stop the striker’s shot beating of his chest underlined the the Sevilla left flank, attacking the space from near point-blank range. emotion of the occasion. Liverpool’s tails behind Escudero. It meant a demanding At the other end, Sevilla’s only significant were certainly up and after Lallana’s shot first period for Carriço, the left-sided Sevilla goal attempt came from Kevin Gameiro, deflected wide off Carriço, Dejan Lovren centre-back, who was in the thick of the following an example of Sevilla coach Unai powered a header into the net from Milner’s action again as he halted a surge into the Emery’s attention to detail at set plays. corner but was denied a goal because box by Roberto Firmino after the Brazilian Banega directed a corner beyond the Sturridge was in an offside position. had latched on to ’s high far post to Coke, who cushioned the ball Smothered by a red blanket of seven pass down the inside-right channel. with his first touch and then swung it back or eight players, Sevilla could now barely At this stage Sevilla were struggling to across goal. beat Steven N’Zonzi get out of their half. The Andalusian side construct moves from the back owing to in the air but the ball fell to Gameiro whose survived a handball appeal when Milner, Liverpool’s high pressing. This strategy had attempted overhead kick flew wide. pressing as hard as anybody, robbed rattled Villarreal CF, Liverpool’s semi-final It was another spectacular piece Carriço down Sevilla’s left and Firmino victims, though one Sevilla man, Éver of centre-forward play, this time from supplied Sturridge, whose attempted Banega, remained impressively unruffled Sturridge, which brought the breakthrough return pass to the Brazilian struck Kevin Gameiro celebrates scoring when, under pressure from Milner and after 35 minutes. Firmino was involved in Grzegorz Krychowiak. straight after half-time

14 15 THE FINAL

Divock Origi in place of Firmino changed offside when Coutinho had been the put it: “In the first half Liverpool stopped Undettered, Liverpool came again and nothing as Sevilla scored their third goal. unwitting provider. them playing their usual game and Sevilla Clyne, finding space down Sevilla’s left With Can unable to control a loose ball In the technical area Klopp tried in vain played long balls. The second half was the once more, flashed a ball across the face by Lovren five metres inside his own half, to rouse the Liverpool fans. Coutinho, real Sevilla. As soon as you give them a of goal but Sturridge could not capitalise. Coke worked the ball to Gameiro, who a subdued figure, whistled a shot over little bit of space they can punish you.” It was the last act of a first half in which fed Banega on the left side of the box. and there was a muted chorus of ‘You’ll They had done just that and, as Can Sevilla had managed not a single attempt The Argentinian sought to square the ball Never Walk Alone’, but Sevilla looked the sobbed into his Liverpool shirt, all that on target. Liverpool had completed 146 to Vitolo but instead Coutinho got there more likely scorers, not least after Touré was left for Emery’s men was the now- passes; Sevilla just 104. first, inadvertently rolling it straight to had made way for a third striker, Christian familiar routine of collecting the trophy. Even the first song on the stadium DJ’s Coke, free on the right side of the box. The Benteke. Gameiro teed up Coke for a shot José Antonio Reyes, the non-playing half-time playlist was by a Liverpool band Sevilla skipper controlled the ball before that deflected wide; Vitolo shot over; then club captain, had that honour as Sevilla’s – ‘There She Goes’ by The La’s. Yet within unleashing a shot which flew in off the arm Banega released Gameiro with a 40-metre wonderfully catchy club anthem filled the 17 seconds of the start of the second of Mignolet. diagonal ball over the head of Clyne, only night sky. Up in the Muttenzerkurve, the half, the game had been turned on its Liverpool’s players protested to to be thwarted by an offside flag. scarves of thousands of Sevillistas made head. Gameiro’s equalising goal was his the referee’s assistant, who had raised Not surprisingly there was a hug waiting a red-and-white mosaic. When it comes eighth in nine appearances in the 2015/16 his flag, and even Coke paused his from Emery as the influential Banega came to this competition, Sevilla really are the competition. It was a goal that changed the celebration to glance across, yet Swedish off in added time. As Jacques Crevoisier, kings of Europe. mood entirely, and one that , match official Jonas Eriksson was correct the former Liverpool assistant manager, Liverpool’s former Sevilla left-back, will not in his judgement that there could be no now present as a UEFA technical observer, have enjoyed reviewing. When his defensive header from Escudero’s crossfield ball fell Sevilla celebrate their at the feet of Mariano Ferreira, the Brazilian third straight title full-back burst forward down the right. Cutting inside, he slipped the ball through the legs of Moreno, leaving both Moreno and Coutinho in his slipstream before crossing low for Gameiro to finish from a Sevilla’s final few metres out. Sir Alex reflected: “Sevilla didn’t enjoy triumphs Liverpool’s tackling and determination 2016 Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla in the first half, but they started off after 2015 Dnipro 2-3 Sevilla Coke struck twice in half-time with a more positive attitude and the second half to end 2014 Sevilla 0-0 Benfica getting the goal right away changed the Liverpool’s challenge (Sevilla win 4-2 on pens) whole game.” 2007 Espanyol 2-2 Sevilla (Sevilla win 3-1 on pens) stadium. It was not the only change. A one-two with Coke took him further 2006 Middlesbrough 0-4 Sevilla Where Liverpool had exploited space on forward and he then played a second “The second half the left of Sevilla’s defence in the first half, one-two with Banega before slipping the now Vitolo was providing Escudero with ball through the legs of Lovren and into was the real Sevilla. extra support – illustrated when he a space suddenly filled by Coke, who As soon as you give earned a yellow card for bringing down pounced on the loose ball and swept it Liverpool FC Sevilla FC Lallana as Liverpool broke with Escudero across Mignolet and inside the far corner. 1-3 them a little bit of caught upfield. Emery was now waving his arms up and space they can It was a rare threat from a Liverpool down excitedly in his technical area and side now on the back foot as Sevilla, with it took a fine challenge by Touré, halting Wednesday 18 May 2016, St. Jakob-Park Basel Match statistics punish you” Krychowiak and N’Zonzi disciplined and a Gameiro surge, to stop him celebrating dominant in the middle, swept up the a likely third goal. Touré was one of only Goals It certainly did, and Emery’s men almost second balls. On the hour Gameiro might two Liverpool players – along with Moreno 1-0 Sturridge 35, 1-1 Gameiro 46, 1-2 Coke 64, 1-3 Coke 70 Liverpool Sevilla had a second soon after. With Liverpool’s have had a second goal, only for Simon – to have played in a European final confidence suddenly diminished, Sevilla Mignolet to deflect his close-range volley before and this lack of knowhow showed, Lineups 1 Goals 3 Liverpool Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Touré (Benteke 82), Moreno; Milner had the space to move the ball around and over the crossbar after N’Zonzi had flicked according to UEFA technical observer 54% Possession 46% (C), Can; Lallana (Allen 73), Firmino (Origi 69), Coutinho; Sturridge Banega, in particular, profited. One superb on Escudero’s long throw. László Szalai: “The players at Liverpool Sevilla Soria; Ferreira, Rami (Kolodziejczak 78), Carriço, Escudero; 10 Total attempts 11 pass by the Argentinian bisected Lovren The Reds’ stay of execution was lacked the international experience of the Krychowiak, N’Zonzi; Coke (C), Banega (Cristóforo 90+3), Vitolo; 4 On target 4 and Can and left Gameiro in the clear, but brief. Vitolo was at the heart of Sevilla’s players at Sevilla, and that’s a little detail Gameiro (Iborra 89) a heavy touch gave Kolo Touré time to get beautifully slick second goal. It began with that gives you an edge in a final.” 4 Corners 7 Yellow cards across and deny the Frenchman with a a preamble of passes in the Sevilla half There was no one in red with the Liverpool Lovren 30, Škrtel 70, Origi 72, Clyne 90 374 Passes 302 terrific tackle. between Vitolo, Carriço and Krychowiak, strength of mind or body to stop the Sevilla Vitolo 56, Banega 57, Rami 77, Ferreira 84 303 Passes completed 222 A sudden roar of belief from the Sevilla before Vitolo set off from the halfway game slipping away. Liverpool looked a fans reflected the new mood inside the line, gliding down the inside-left channel. tired team and Klopp’s introduction of Referee Jonas Eriksson (Sweden) Attendance 34,429

16 17 COMPETITION OVERVIEW

Winning feeling Unai Emery’s UEFA Europa League record over three Emery’s seasons since joining Sevilla as coach in January 2013

43 golden touch matches coached 27 won The Spaniard’s constant quest to give his team the edge, from free-kick routines to 10 pinpointing the opposition’s weakness, drawn continued to pay rich dividends in 2015/16 6 lost

63% winning percentage

Including 2013/14 qualifying

As a professional footballer, Unai Emery Football Federation (RFEF), noted: “He lives and had Emery benefited from a strong relationship group are very close to him. He has a lot Emery played Coke – usually a full-back – played five games in Spain’s top division his football 24 hours a day. Because of this, moved on. A year before that, it was with . Together they provided the of respect for his players and because of higher up the pitch, with Mariano Ferreira with de Fútbol. The rest of he’s the first to arrive for training and the the likes of Ivan Rakitić, continuity to bring Sevilla success. The pair that, his players trust in him.” occupying the right-back position. It his playing career he spent in the lower last to leave. He has all his staff thinking of and Alberto Moreno he lost. Yet Emery, would speak every day. They would be on To this, Mélendez added Emery’s was the first time they had occupied leagues, moving from CD Toledo to Racing football 24/7.” planning in tandem with sporting director the training ground together every day. fastidious, forensic approach to match the same flank. He did the same again Club Ferrol to CD Leganés to CF Lorca Emery’s animated presence in the Monchi, had found a way of moving preparation. He wants to to spectacular effect in the final when Deportiva. Reflecting on this trajectory, technical area at St. Jakob-Park told us forward once more. uncover every last detail Ferreira shone with his goal-making surge the 44-year-old Basque admitted to the nothing new in some respects: as in Turin Discussing the club’s recruitment policy about his opponents and has for Sevilla’s equaliser and Coke struck Spanish newspaper earlier this in 2014 and Warsaw in 2015, here was a prior to the final, Emery said players had to “He lives his football admitted to watching rival two goals of his own. “For me it was the year that: “I was professional as a player smart-suited figure with slicked-back hair fit his preferred strategy – the team “have 24 hours a day. He has teams’ matches a dozen times. key to the victory,” said Meléndez. “He but I didn’t behave like a professional.” and arms that move like windmills. to press aggressively”, for instance – yet “He prepares strategies very placed Coke ahead of Mariano to curtail If that was Emery the player, nobody Where this third and final success with added that a coach had to be adaptable all his staff thinking of well,” Meléndez said. “His set- Liverpool’s threat down the left side.” could say the same of Emery the coach, Sevilla warrants particular praise is for too. “In football you always have to strike football 24/7” piece routines are fantastically It proved an inspired ploy in Emery’s whose hat-trick of UEFA Europa League the fact that Emery achieved it despite the right balance in terms of adapting to well prepared, he is very good final chapter as Sevilla’s coach, ensuring triumphs with Sevilla was the reward for his having once again lost key players the the players you have and getting them to It was not just with Monchi, though. tactically, he observes the opponent a lot his third UEFA Europa League title and obsessive attention to detail and unstinting previous summer. He had just four players adapt to your ideas, which should always Emery maintained a constant dialogue and knows their weak points.” confirming a burgeoning reputation as one work ethic. As Ginés Meléndez, a man on the pitch in Basel who had started be firmly grounded in the style of football with all of his players and coaching His tactical knowhow served Sevilla well of the continent’s finest young coaches. who has monitored his progress closely the 2015 final victory against FC Dnipro that you want to play.” staff. “He fulfils his mission as a leader during their triumphant 2016 run. In the as Technical Director of the Royal Spanish Dnipropetrovsk. Pivotal players such as Coping with this turnover of players, fantastically,” Meléndez added. “The semi-final against FC Shakhtar Donetsk,

18 19 RESULTS Group stage

Skënderbeu were the Of the eight eventual Napoli were only the first Albanian club – and quarter-finalists, only Liverpool, sixth team ever to 37 Albania the 37th UEFA 3 Athletic Club and Braga won 18 achieve a maximum 18 member association – to their groups. points in the group stage, take part in the UEFA scoring a record 22 goals Europa League. in the process. Ajax are the only club to have appeared in every season of the UEFA Europa League

September 2015 December 2015

Group stage

Group A P W D L GD Pts Group B P W D L GD Pts Group C P W D L GD Pts Group G P W D L GD Pts Group H P W D L GD Pts Group I P W D L GD Pts Molde FK 6 3 2 1 3 11 Liverpool FC 6 2 4 0 2 10 FC Krasnodar 6 4 1 1 5 13 SS Lazio 6 4 2 0 7 14 FC Lokomotiv Moskva 6 3 2 1 5 11 FC Basel 1893 6 4 1 1 5 13 Fenerbahçe SK 6 2 3 1 1 9 FC Sion 6 2 3 1 0 9 Borussia Dortmund 6 3 1 2 5 10 AS Saint-Étienne 6 2 3 1 3 9 Sporting Clube de Portugal 6 3 1 2 3 10 ACF Fiorentina 6 3 1 2 5 10 AFC Ajax 6 1 4 1 0 7 FC Rubin Kazan 6 1 3 2 0 6 PAOK FC 6 1 4 1 0 7 FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 6 2 1 3 -2 7 Beşiktaş JK 6 2 3 1 1 9 KKS Lech Poznań 6 1 2 3 -4 5 Celtic FC 6 0 3 3 -4 3 FC Girondins de Bordeaux 6 0 4 2 -2 4 Qäbälä FK 6 0 2 4 -10 2 Rosenborg BK 6 0 2 4 -8 2 KF Skënderbeu 6 1 0 5 -9 3 Os Belenenses 6 1 2 3 -6 5

Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away 17/09 Ajax 2 - 2 Celtic 17/09 Bordeaux 1 - 1 Liverpool 17/09 Dortmund 2 - 1 Krasnodar 17/09 St-Étienne 2 - 2 Rosenborg 17/09 Sporting 1 - 3 Lokomotiv 17/09 Fiorentina 1 - 2 Basel 17/09 Fenerbahçe 1 - 3 Molde 17/09 Sion 2 - 1 Rubin 17/09 Qäbälä 0 - 0 PAOK 17/09 Dnipro 1 - 1 Lazio 17/09 Skënderbeu 0 - 1 Beşiktaş 17/09 Lech 0 - 0 Belenenses 01/10 Celtic 2 - 2 Fenerbahçe 01/10 Liverpool 1 - 1 Sion 01/10 Krasnodar 2 - 1 Qäbälä 01/10 Rosenborg 0 - 1 Dnipro 01/10 Beşiktaş 1 - 1 Sporting 01/10 Belenenses 0 - 4 Fiorentina 01/10 Molde 1 - 1 Ajax 01/10 Rubin 0 - 0 Bordeaux 01/10 PAOK 1 - 1 Dortmund 01/10 Lazio 3 - 2 St-Étienne 01/10 Lokomotiv 2 - 0 Skënderbeu 01/10 Basel 2 - 0 Lech 22/10 Molde 3 - 1 Celtic 22/10 Liverpool 1 - 1 Rubin 22/10 Qäbälä 1 - 3 Dortmund 22/10 Lazio 3 - 1 Rosenborg 22/10 Sporting 5 - 1 Skënderbeu 22/10 Basel 1 - 2 Belenenses 22/10 Fenerbahçe 1 - 0 Ajax 22/10 Bordeaux 0 - 1 Sion 22/10 PAOK 0 - 0 Krasnodar 22/10 Dnipro 0 - 1 St-Étienne 22/10 Lokomotiv 1 - 1 Beşiktaş 22/10 Fiorentina 1 - 2 Lech 05/11 Celtic 1 - 2 Molde 05/11 Sion 1 - 1 Bordeaux 05/11 Dortmund 4 - 0 Qäbälä 05/11 Rosenborg 0 - 2 Lazio 05/11 Beşiktaş 1 - 1 Lokomotiv 05/11 Belenenses 0 - 2 Basel 05/11 Ajax 0 - 0 Fenerbahçe 05/11 Rubin 0 - 1 Liverpool 05/11 Krasnodar 2 - 1 PAOK 05/11 St-Étienne 3 - 0 Dnipro 05/11 Skënderbeu 3 - 0 Sporting 05/11 Lech 0 - 2 Fiorentina 26/11 Celtic 1 - 2 Ajax 26/11 Rubin 2 - 0 Sion 26/11 Krasnodar 1 - 0 Dortmund 26/11 Lazio 3 - 1 Dnipro 26/11 Beşiktaş 2 - 0 Skënderbeu 26/11 Belenenses 0 - 0 Lech 26/11 Molde 0 - 2 Fenerbahçe 26/11 Liverpool 2 - 1 Bordeaux 26/11 PAOK 0 - 0 Qäbälä 26/11 Rosenborg 1 - 1 St-Étienne 26/11 Lokomotiv 2 - 4 Sporting 26/11 Basel 2 - 2 Fiorentina 10/12 Ajax 1 - 1 Molde 10/12 Bordeaux 2 - 2 Rubin 10/12 Dortmund 0 - 1 PAOK 10/12 St-Étienne 1 - 1 Lazio 10/12 Sporting 3 - 1 Beşiktaş 10/12 Fiorentina 1 - 0 Belenenses 10/12 Fenerbahçe 1 - 1 Celtic 10/12 Sion 0 - 0 Liverpool 10/12 Qäbälä 0 - 3 Krasnodar 10/12 Dnipro 3 - 0 Rosenborg 10/12 Skënderbeu 0 - 3 Lokomotiv 10/12 Lech 0 - 1 Basel

Group D P W D L GD Pts Group E P W D L GD Pts Group F P W D L GD Pts Group J P W D L GD Pts Group K P W D L GD Pts Group L P W D L GD Pts SSC Napoli 6 6 0 0 19 18 SK Rapid Wien 6 5 0 1 4 15 SC Braga 6 4 1 1 3 13 Tottenham Hotspur FC 6 4 1 1 6 13 FC Schalke 04 6 4 2 0 12 14 Athletic Club 6 4 1 1 8 13 FC Midtjylland 6 2 1 3 -6 7 Villarreal CF 6 4 1 1 6 13 6 4 0 2 5 12 RSC Anderlecht 6 3 1 2 2 10 AC Sparta Praha 6 3 3 0 5 12 FC Augsburg 6 3 0 3 1 9 Club Brugge KV 6 1 2 3 -7 5 FC Viktoria Plzeň 6 1 1 4 -2 4 FC Slovan Liberec 6 2 1 3 -2 7 AS Monaco FC 6 1 3 2 -4 6 Asteras Tripolis FC 6 1 1 4 -8 4 FK Partizan 6 3 0 3 -4 9 Legia Warszawa 6 1 1 4 -6 4 FC Dinamo Minsk 6 1 0 5 -8 3 FC Groningen 6 0 2 4 -6 2 Qarabağ FK 6 1 1 4 -4 4 APOEL FC 6 1 0 5 -9 3 AZ Alkmaar 6 1 1 4 -5 4

Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away Date Home Score Away 17/09 Midtjylland 1 - 0 Legia 17/09 Rapid Wien 2 - 1 Villarreal 17/09 Liberec 0 - 1 Braga 17/09 Tottenham 3 - 1 Qarabağ 17/09 APOEL 0 - 3 Schalke 17/09 Partizan 3 - 2 Alkmaar 17/09 Napoli 5 - 0 Brugge 17/09 Plzeň 2 - 0 Dinamo Minsk 17/09 Groningen 0 - 3 Marseille 17/09 Anderlecht 1 - 1 Monaco 17/09 Asteras 1 - 1 Sparta 17/09 Athletic 3 - 1 Augsburg 01/10 Brugge 1 - 3 Midtjylland 01/10 Villarreal 1 - 0 Plzeň 01/10 Braga 1 - 0 Groningen 01/10 Monaco 1 - 1 Tottenham 01/10 Sparta 2 - 0 APOEL 01/10 Augsburg 1 - 3 Partizan 01/10 Legia 0 - 2 Napoli 01/10 Dinamo Minsk 0 - 1 Rapid Wien 01/10 Marseille 0 - 1 Liberec 01/10 Qarabağ 1 - 0 Anderlecht 01/10 Schalke 4 - 0 Asteras 01/10 Alkmaar 2 - 1 Athletic 22/10 Legia 1 - 1 Brugge 22/10 Villarreal 4 - 0 Dinamo Minsk 22/10 Braga 3 - 2 Marseille 22/10 Monaco 1 - 0 Qarabağ 22/10 Schalke 2 - 2 Sparta 22/10 Alkmaar 0 - 1 Augsburg 22/10 Midtjylland 1 - 4 Napoli 22/10 Rapid Wien 3 - 2 Plzeň 22/10 Liberec 1 - 1 Groningen 22/10 Anderlecht 2 - 1 Tottenham 22/10 APOEL 2 - 1 Asteras 22/10 Partizan 0 - 2 Athletic 05/11 Brugge 1 - 0 Legia 05/11 Plzeň 1 - 2 Rapid Wien 05/11 Marseille 1 - 0 Braga 05/11 Qarabağ 1 - 1 Monaco 05/11 Sparta 1 - 1 Schalke 05/11 Augsburg 4 - 1 Alkmaar 05/11 Napoli 5 - 0 Midtjylland 05/11 Dinamo Minsk 1 - 2 Villarreal 05/11 Groningen 0 - 1 Liberec 05/11 Tottenham 2 - 1 Anderlecht 05/11 Asteras 2 - 0 APOEL 05/11 Athletic 5 - 1 Partizan 26/11 Legia 1 - 0 Midtjylland 26/11 Dinamo Minsk 1 - 0 Plzeň 26/11 Braga 2 - 1 Liberec 26/11 Monaco 0 - 2 Anderlecht 26/11 Schalke 1 - 0 APOEL 26/11 Alkmaar 1 - 2 Partizan 26/11 Brugge 0 - 1 Napoli 26/11 Villarreal 1 - 0 Rapid Wien 26/11 Marseille 2 - 1 Groningen 26/11 Qarabağ 0 - 1 Tottenham 26/11 Sparta 1 - 0 Asteras 26/11 Augsburg 2 - 3 Athletic 10/12 Midtjylland 1 - 1 Brugge 10/12 Rapid Wien 2 - 1 Dinamo Minsk 10/12 Liberec 2 - 4 Marseille 10/12 Tottenham 4 - 1 Monaco 10/12 APOEL 1 - 3 Sparta 10/12 Partizan 1 - 3 Augsburg 10/12 Napoli 5 - 2 Legia 10/12 Plzeň 3 - 3 Villarreal 10/12 Groningen 0 - 0 Braga 10/12 Anderlecht 2 - 1 Qarabağ 10/12 Asteras 0 - 4 Schalke 10/12 Athletic 2 - 2 Alkmaar

20 21 RESULTS Knockout stage

Valencia’s 10-0 aggregate Villarreal’s Denis Suárez had the Dortmund’s Julian win against Rapid was the most assists, with six. Weigl completed 10 biggest ever in the UEFA 6 681 the most passes, Europa League. with 681.

February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016

Round of 32 16 and 25 February Round of 16 10 and 17 March Quarter-finals 7 and 14 April Semi-finals 28 April and 5 May

Fenerbahçe 2 - 0 Lokomotiv Fiorentina 1 - 1 Tottenham Basel 0 - 0 Sevilla Braga 1 - 2 Shakhtar Villarreal 2 - 1 Sparta Villarreal 1 - 0 Liverpool Lokomotiv 1 - 1 Fenerbahçe Tottenham 3 - 0 Fiorentina Sevilla 3 - 0 Basel Shakhtar 4 - 0 Braga Sparta 2 - 4 Villarreal Liverpool 3 - 0 Villarreal

Fenerbahçe win 3-1 on aggregate Tottenham win 4-1 on aggregate Sevilla win 3-0 on aggregate Shakhtar win 6-1 on aggregate Villarreal win 6-3 on aggregate Liverpool win 3-1 on aggregate

Dortmund 2 - 0 Porto Anderlecht 1 - 0 Olympiacos Dortmund 3 - 0 Tottenham Athletic 1 - 2 Sevilla Dortmund 1 - 1 Liverpool Shakhtar 2 - 2 Sevilla Porto 0 - 1 Dortmund Olympiacos 1 - 2 Anderlecht Tottenham 1 - 2 Dortmund Sevilla 1 - 2 Athletic Liverpool 4 - 3 Dortmund Sevilla 3 - 1 Shakhtar

Dortmund win 3-0 on aggregate Anderlecht win 3-1 on aggregate after extra time Dortmund win 5-1 on aggregate Aggregate: 3-3; Sevilla win 5-4 on penalties Liverpool win 5-4 on aggregate Sevilla win 5-3 on aggregate

Midtjylland 2 - 1 Man. United Sevilla 3 - 0 Molde Shakhtar 3 - 1 Anderlecht Man. United 5 - 1 Midtjylland Molde 1 - 0 Sevilla Anderlecht 0 - 1 Shakhtar

Man. United win 6-3 on aggregate Sevilla win 3-1 on aggregate Shakhtar win 4-1 on aggregate

Villarreal 1 - 0 Napoli St-Étienne 3 - 2 Basel Fenerbahçe 1 - 0 Braga 18 May Napoli 1 - 1 Villarreal Basel 2 - 1 St-Étienne Braga 4 - 1 Fenerbahçe Final

Villarreal win 2-1 on aggregate Aggregate 4-4; Basel win on away goals Braga win 4-2 on aggregate

Sporting 0 - 1 Leverkusen Valencia 6 - 0 Rapid Wien Liverpool 2 - 0 Man. United Leverkusen 3 - 1 Sporting Rapid Wien 0 - 4 Valencia Man. United 1 - 1 Liverpool

Leverkusen win 4-1 on aggregate Valencia win 10-0 on aggregate Liverpool win 3-1 on aggregate

Augsburg 0 - 0 Liverpool Sparta 1 - 0 Krasnodar Villarreal 2 - 0 Leverkusen Liverpool 1 - 0 Augsburg Krasnodar 0 - 3 Sparta Leverkusen 0 - 0 Villarreal

Liverpool win 1-0 on aggregate Sparta win 4-0 on aggregate Villarreal win 2-0 on aggregate

Sion 1 - 2 Braga Marseille 0 - 1 Athletic Athletic 1 - 0 Valencia Braga 2 - 2 Sion Athletic 1 - 1 Marseille Valencia 2 - 1 Athletic

Braga win 4-3 on aggregate Athletic win 2-1 on aggregate Aggregate 2-2; Athletic win on away goals Liverpool FC Sevilla FC Galatasaray 1 - 1 Lazio Shakhtar 0 - 0 Schalke Sparta 1 - 1 Lazio 1-3 Lazio 3 - 1 Galatasaray Schalke 0 - 3 Shakhtar Lazio 0 - 3 Sparta

Lazio win 4-2 on aggregate Shakhtar win 3-0 on aggregate Sparta win 4-1 on aggregate

22 23 ANALYSIS

Technical topics

The rush forward after winning possession, attacking full-backs and the drawbacks of the pressing game were up for discussion after the final

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the focus of Dortmund’s quick transitions

Quick transitions

The first pass forward after winning the style of play, though he cited another defending a first-leg lead at home in the ball can make all the difference example even closer to home – the quarter-final against Athletic Club. Athletic defeat of his beloved Manchester themselves were not afraid to look for It was the morning after the 2015 UEFA United FC against Liverpool in the quick, long passes to their centre-forward, Europa League final in Warsaw that Sir UEFA Europa League round of 16 when underlining that in the land of tiki-taka the Alex Ferguson highlighted a significant Philippe Coutinho’s breakaway strike swift break is seen as a virtue these days. trend, away from a possession-focused ended United hopes of a second-leg Ginés Meléndez, the UEFA technical game and towards swift transitions. This fightback. “Liverpool won because of a observer from Spain, noted: “When trend showed no sign of abating during the quick transition just before half-time and teams rob the ball, the first pass is ensuing 12 months, as Sir Alex himself noted knocked out United at Old Trafford.” forwards – they don’t run with the ball. during the meeting of UEFA’s technical There are other examples. One Players know they can score if they break observers following Sevilla FC’s final feature of Borussia Dortmund’s victory at quickly. In the World Cup in Brazil, the clear triumph over Liverpool FC. “The big trend is Tottenham Hotspur FC in the same round trend was to transition.” quick transitions and counterattacking was the use of vertical passes to the pacy Jacques Crevoisier, the former is far superior than it was years ago,” he Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Villarreal CF Liverpool assistant manager, added that said. “It’s done more quickly and there are were emphatic 4-2 winners at AC Sparta the teams who counterattack best “have more teams springing forward on Praha thanks to their excellent transitions. six or seven passes and can score” and the counterattack.” Sevilla, who had more possession than suggested this has led to cases where Sir Alex was speaking after a season in their opponents in only one of their last “some teams look like they don’t actually England where Leicester City FC won the five fixtures in the competition, based their want to have possession”. Sevilla train at St. Jakob-Park ahead of the final with a counterattacking game plan on fast counterattacks when

24 25 ANALYSIS

Building from the back Full-backs on the move

Centre-backs and deep-lying Kolodziejczak. Other examples from the just central defenders making the play The full-back’s attacking brief is Shakhtar’s semi-final loss to Sevilla. club’s full-backs operated virtually as wide have to be able to trigger transitions 2015/16 campaign were of from deep. Athletic Club goalkeeper Iago greater than ever “They go forward all the time and provide midfielders when their team attacked, quarter-finalists Borussia Dortmund and Herrerín caught the eye with his passing excellent crosses.” forming a four across the centre of the As teams look to break quickly, one Víctor Ruiz from semi-finalists Villarreal. skills, following a trail blazed by Germany’s It is not just the players in the centre of a Even Sir Alex Ferguson, who was famed pitch with two central midfielders. As for noteworthy by-product is the demand for A factor worth mentioning in the . team’s defence who have an attacking for championing wingers as a manager the nominal wingers, they moved infield. defenders adept at starting these quick development of this kind of defender is One tendency from recent seasons role to play – the 2015/16 UEFA Europa at Manchester United FC, had to admit: ’s wingers at Borussia counterattacks. Jacques Crevoisier pointed the smoother playing surfaces of the 21st still very much in evidence is the sight of a League campaign underlined once more “Wingers who could attack full-backs have Dortmund did the same thing – no surprise, to this sought-after breed when he said: century European game, according to Sir team’s holding dropping deep the significance of the modern full-back as gone now, so width is created by full-backs given the quality of the German club’s “You need technical quality and have to be Alex Ferguson, who said: “The condition of between his two centre-halves to collect an attacking weapon. For winners Sevilla, running into space.” overlapping full-back pair of Łukasz able to take risks, and for me the key when pitches today is far better and, when you’re the ball and build from there. Emre Can right-back Mariano Ferreira offered a case It is also worth mentioning that whereas, Piszczek and . we talk about transition is the new profile defending, the first pass is now easier to do. did this job impressively in Liverpool’s in point with a prominent display in the final in the past, one full-back would go forward “Full-backs are more involved in of central defenders, who are able to make Before, the first touch would be to get it out; semi-final victory over Villarreal, who against Liverpool, setting up the equalising and the other would stay to support his central play and they switch position with the first pass and able to take out three or now it’s accurate passes out of defence.” offered their own outstanding example goal with his surge into the box. centre-backs, it is now common to see both midfielders to give themselves diagonal four players.” Ginés Meléndez said that in Spain there in Bruno Soriano. “The key position is Another player, picked out by UEFA push on at the same time, leaving a holding pathways,” Szalai added. It was notable Crevoisier cited Sevilla defender Adil is an increasing tendency to use converted defensive midfield,” said László Szalai, technical observer Stefan Majewski, was midfielder to support the central defenders in the final that Sevilla left-back Sergio Rami’s ability to play long diagonal balls midfielders as centre-backs – “They play the UEFA technical observer from Hungary. Darijo Srna, the experienced FC Shakhtar instead. László Szalai offered a reflection Escudero moved infield – even to the extent and Unai Emery had another accomplished through to the second and third lines “He is responsible for opening the game Donetsk left-back. “Their full-backs are on SC Braga’s quarter-final tie against that he ended up on the other side of the ball-playing centre-back in Timothée and they come forward” – and it is not and building new attacks.” very attacking,” said Majewski, who saw Shakhtar, explaining how the Portuguese pitch during one passage of open play.

“Wingers attacking full-backs has gone now; width is created by full-backs running into space”

Bruno Soriano on the ball for Villarreal (opposite); full-back Darijo Srna was a threat down the right for Shakhtar (left)

26 27 ANALYSIS

Pros and cons of pressing

The high press can bring results, but if this tactic. “In the second half Liverpool Sevilla’s own game plan included high energy levels drop problems follow had no energy, they could not get to pressing, while the likes of Athletic Club the ball,” he said. “The space in midfield and Dortmund were noted for putting Jürgen Klopp built an international became bigger. I never had a team who immediate pressure on the opposition reputation at Borussia Dortmund with a could press a ball all season.” after losing the ball. Dortmund, Klopp’s “In the second half pressing game that took the Jacques Crevoisier concurred with Sir old club, pressed in a different way under club to the UEFA Champions League final Alex, noting of Liverpool’s final display Thomas Tuchel, however. If Klopp’s famous Liverpool could not in 2013. Within seven months of taking over that “the capacity to keep that aggressive soundbite about “heavy metal football” get the ball and the as Liverpool manager, his methods had pressure was not possible”. was suggestive of a relentless approach, helped lead the Anfield club to the UEFA This leads to the question of when and Dortmund’s players were more economical space in midfield Europa League final and there was no for how long a team should press. There in their choice of runs and built their became bigger” more striking example of their impact than is no one perfect answer. UEFA’s Chief attacks more slowly at times. That said, in in the semi-final home leg against Villarreal Technical Officer, Ioan Lupescu, offered the round of 16 they still outpressed one when the English club did not let their food for thought by citing the example of of the strongest exponents of the strategy visitors breathe with their intense pressing UEFA Champions League finalists Club in the group stage – Tottenham Hotspur game. Similarly, in the first half of the final Atlético de who, in his words, “try FC, who finished top of Group J with the against Sevilla, Liverpool established a to put pressure for 15, 20 minutes and then help of an impressive pressing game 1-0 lead by pressing hard and high up the go back and play counterattack”. implemented by their Argentinian coach, pitch, though they were unable to sustain In the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League . it for the second period, leading Sir Alex campaign, we saw many teams who Ferguson to question the sustainability of pressed at different points during matches.

“When and for how long a team should press is the question. There is no one perfect answer”

Mariano Ferreira and Tottenham play a high Philippe Coutinho vie pressing game under for the ball in the final coach Mauricio Pochettino

28 29 ANALYSIS Route to goal Good wing play, whether from crosses or cut-backs, proved a profitable source of goals

A total of 536 goals were scored in the lapses in concentration. Yet, thanks to Goals from open play 2015/16 UEFA Europa League, from the Coke’s two goals for Sevilla FC in the final 99 opening night of the group stage until against Liverpool FC, the 15-minute period Goals scored between 61 and 75 Crosses played an important part in the competing teams’ attacking repertoires in the the final in Basel. This represented a that produced the most goals was from minutes – or 18.5% of the season’s total. knockout stage, judging by the fact that 33 goals came from crosses – more than a marginal fall, of 12 goals, from the 2014/15 61-75 minutes. quarter of all goals from open play (27.98%). total but still meant an average of 2.61 The two other goals in the 2015/16 goals per game – slightly lower than campaign both came in extra time, and 32 the 2.78 average for the 2015/16 UEFA both were scored by Anderlecht striker Number of goals scored in added time Champions League. The second half of Frank Acheampong to clinch their round of at the end of each half in matches matches again produced more goals (288 32 second-leg victory, away to Olympiacos – or 6% of the total. None was more 13 17 to 246) than the first. FC (3-1 on aggregate). dramatic than Dejan Lovren’s header The number of goals scored from The number of long-range strikes in the It is probably no surprise that the The goalscoring analysis in this review to complete Liverpool’s remarkable cut-backs, further underlining the latter stages of the competition. None final 15 minutes of each half were the is based on the 161 goals scored during quarter-final second-leg recovery significance of good wing play, such as was more spectacular than Aritz Aduriz’s most fertile times to score goals in the the knockout rounds, all of which were against Borussia Dortmund. that by Mariano Ferreira when setting up 35-metre volley for Athletic Club at 2015/16 campaign, as players tired watched by UEFA technical observers. Kevin Gameiro for Sevilla’s first goal Marseille in the round of 32. and became more prone to suffer in the final. 215 Athletic striker Aritz Aduriz More than 200 goals – 215 to be Anderlecht striker Frank precise, or 40% of the total – were Acheampong scored the competition’s only two scored in the period from the 61st Denis Suárez celebrates scoring Goals from set plays extra-time goals minute until the end of normal time in a free-kick against Napoli the UEFA Europa League. Of the 161 goals scored in the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds, 127 came from open play and 34 – or 21.12% of the total – from set plays.

When the goals were scored 2 16 (full season) There were only two goals scored Corners accounted for almost half from direct free-kicks in the knockout (47.10%) of set-play goals, with 16 of the First half 246 stage, from Villarreal’s Denis Suárez and 34 coming from this source. 1-15 minutes 65 Basel’s Luca Zuffi, but 11 penalty kicks. 16-30 minutes 70 31-45 minutes 98 45+ minutes 13 Goals per knockout round Goals per UEFA Europa League season Second half 288 46-60 minutes 73 Set play Open play Total Season Goals Matches Average 61-75 minutes 99 76-90 minutes 97 Round of 32 18 61 79 2009/10 547 205 2.67 90+ minutes 19 Round of 16 8 27 35 2010/11 551 205 2.69 Extra-time 2 Quarter-finals 6 25 31 2011/12 585 205 2.85 91-105 minutes 1 Semi-finals 2 10 12 2012/13 521 205 2.54 106-120 minutes 1 Final 0 4 4 2013/14 475 205 2.32 Total 34 127 161 2014/15 548 205 2.67 Total 536 2015/16 536 205 2.61

30 31 ANALYSIS First goal wins? For the second year running, Sevilla 6 fought back from conceding first to Only six times did a team come from behind to win in the 57 knockout-stage The importance of win the final fixtures in which goals were scored. Finalists Liverpool were the only team scoring first Sevilla FC bucked a trend by coming from behind to win the UEFA to overcome a deficit of two goals Knockout matches with goals: 57 Europa League final – after all, the statistics for the knockout when fighting back to beat Borussia Wins for team scoring first: 41 phase of the 2015/16 competition show that teams scoring the first Dortmund in the second leg of their Wins for team conceding first: 6 goal in a match had a 71.93% chance of going on to win, and an quarter-final after trailing 0-2 and 1-3 Scoring draws: 10 89.47% chance of avoiding defeat. at Anfield. Goalless draws: 4 2 Sevilla overturned deficits against both Athletic Club in the first leg of their quarter-final and Liverpool in the final. 3 The three other teams to achieve comeback victories were Midtjylland and Manchester United – against each other, in respective home victories in their round of 32 encounter – and Anderlecht, who beat Olympiacos by scoring twice in extra time in the same round. Liverpool were the only team to recover from two goals down to win – against Dortmund 4 There were only four goalless draws among the 61 games from the round of 32 through to the final. 18% Of the 17 finals in which a goal has been scored since the competition switched to a single-match final in 1998, only three – 18% – have been won by the team conceding the first goal. Two of those were by Sevilla in the past two years. Marcus Rashford enjoyed a remarkable debut Coke’s double ensured Sevilla came from behind to win the final

32 33 ANALYSIS

Set plays

Luca Zuffi Raúl García Mehmet Topal 1 Basel 2-1 Saint-Étienne 3 Athletic Club 1-0 Valencia 5 Lokomotiv Moskva 1-1 Fenerbahçe Round of 32 Round of 16 Round of 32 The Swiss midfielder earned Raúl García timed his run perfectly Fenerbahçe SK’s Mehmet Topal met the technical observers’ vote for to meet Beñat Etxebarria’s Hasan Ali Kaldırım’s inswinging near- best set-piece goal with a brilliant inswinging free-kick into the penalty post corner with a flick of the head left-foot free-kick taken from the area, throwing himself forward to that sent the ball looping over home inside-right channel and bent with make a powerful connection that goalkeeper Guilherme before dropping maximum precision just inside the diverted the ball into the far corner into the net at the back post. near post of the Saint-Étienne goal. of the net.

2 Denis Suárez 4 Dejan Lovren Goals of Villarreal 1-0 Napoli Liverpool 4-3 Dortmund Round of 32 Quarter-finals Denis Suárez had more goal Rather than aim an injury-time Gonzalo Higuaín (9) is congratulated for his terrific individual goal against Legia assists – six – than any other player free-kick into the box, James Milner the season in the competition but he also played it down the line for Daniel produced this pearl of a free-kick, Sturridge, who held it up and duly curling the ball from 23m over the threaded it back to Milner as he Napoli wall and in off the underside broke into the box. The Liverpool Gonzalo Higuaín and Luca Zuffi of the bar. captain lifted the ball to the far post where Dejan Lovren rose won the plaudits for their pair of above Adrián Ramos to power Fenerbahçe’s Mehmet Topal was on target against in a header – and complete exceptional strikes Lokomotiv (right); Luca Zuffi bends the ball into the Top ten goals Saint-Étienne goal (below) Liverpool’s amazing night. 1 Gonzalo Higuaín Open play Legia 0-2 Napoli Group D The UEFA Technical Observers’ Group had By contrast, Adrián López’s semi-final Mousa Dembélé the task of selecting a top ten from among first-leg winner for Villarreal CF against 2 Tottenham 2-1 Anderlecht the 536 goals scored in the 2015/16 UEFA Liverpool was a team effort – a swift Group J Europa League. Their first choice came counterattacking move in which López Aritz Aduriz from the right boot of SSC Napoli’s Gonzalo nodded a ball on to Bruno Soriano, who 3 Marseille 0-1 Athletic Club Higuaín in a Group D victory at Legia picked out Denis Suárez with a wonderful Round of 32 first leg Warszawa. It was a terrific individual goal, crossfield pass from which the winger ran 4 Jonathan dos Santos the experienced Argentinian cutting across on and teed up López to finish. Viktoria Plzeň 3-3 Villarreal the edge of the Legia box, leaving three The top ten also included two goals from Group E defenders in his wake, before curling a shot the final. Coke’s first goal at St. Jakob-Park 5 Mohamed Elneny inside the top corner. followed a sequence of one-twos involving Fiorentina 1-2 Basel Mousa Dembélé of Tottenham Hotspur Vitolo, Coke himself and Éver Banega. “The Group I FC ranked second for his magnificent combination play was terrific,” said Sir Alex 6 Adrián López winning drive against RSC Anderlecht in Ferguson, “and his anticipation of coming Villarreal 1-0 Liverpool the group stage and equally eye-catching inside was followed by a great finish.” As Semi-final first leg was Athletic Club striker Aritz Aduriz’s for Liverpool FC forward Daniel Sturridge’s 7 Coke dipping volley from 35 metres at Olympique opening strike, wonderfully placed with the Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla de Marseille – the pick of his ten goals in outside of his left foot, this was “technically Final the competition. superb” according to Sir Alex. 8 Daniel Sturridge For ambition and execution, Villarreal Completing the list were two different Liverpool 1-3 Sevilla CF’s Jonathan dos Santos featured in lobbed efforts. Philippe Coutinho’s dink Final fourth place with his wickedly sliced strike past in Liverpool’s round 9 Philippe Coutinho from a crossing position out on the right at of 16 victory over Manchester United FC Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool FC Viktoria Plzeň. Mohamed Elneny’s goal and SC Braga forward Ahmed Hassan’s Round of 16 second leg for FC Basel 1893 at ACF Fiorentina was a wonderful high chip over Marseille 10 Ahmed Hassan sledgehammer strike – fired first-time from goalkeeper . Braga 3-2 Marseille 30 metres high into the net. Group F

34 35 TALKING POINTS

Special relationship

Having been there and done it before, “This team has something special,” strength over the past decade in the Sevilla already seemed to have one hand added Crevoisier. “They’ve been able competition, coming through four penalty on the trophy to raise their level and it’s now ‘their’ shoot-outs in this time – including in the competition in a psychological sense. 2007 and 2014 finals, as well as in their It was Jacques Crevoisier, a member of the They’d already won twice in a row and quarter-final with Athletic Club in 2015/16. UEFA Technical Observers’ Group in Basel, there was a feeling, ‘If we do it three times It helps too to have the backing of one of A sense who said that “football is always about in a row we write our name in history’.” the most passionate groups of supporters psychology” and it is intriguing to consider Sevillistas still cite as the catalyst for all in Spanish football. The morning after the this aspect of Sevilla FC’s exploits in the of their European exploits the extra-time final, Ginés Meléndez said: “Their fans UEFA Europa League. In interviews after winner by in their semi-final yesterday were extraordinary. They have the final, Sevilla’s players conveyed the against FC Schalke 04 in 2006. This was brilliant fans. When the national team of destiny sense that this was “their” competition, and the goal that took a club, then without a play in Seville, they’re the same – lots of that it mattered more to them than other trophy since 1948, to the first of the five passion and lots of heart and they push clubs. This may be unquantifiable, but there UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League finals they them all the way.” For this very reason, is no doubting the special relationship the have contested and won. Puerta, who died Unai Emery told his players at half-time to Andalusian club have developed with the tragically a year later, was invoked by the imagine they were not in Basel but playing Sevilla’s experience and belief proved too UEFA Europa League. team’s kitman before the final in Basel and in their home stadium, the Ramón Sánchez remembered on T-shirts Pizjuán. It had the desired impact, though much for even Jürgen Klopp’s inspirational worn by Sevilla’s players and it helped too that Sevilla scored so soon leadership to overcome staff afterwards. “We have after the restart. As Crevoisier suggested, “Their fans were a star above us called this delivered a huge psychological blow. Antonio Puerta and we felt “When you start the second half the first extraordinary – lots him in the second half,” said thing is not to concede a goal in the first of passion and lots of defender Daniel Carriço. five minutes,” he said. Liverpool did just What can be said with that and failed to recover, as Sevilla’s heart and they push certainty is that Sevilla have sense of destiny took over. them all the way” shown impressive mental

José Antonio Reyes won his record fifth UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League title in Basel – all but one of them with Sevilla

Sevilla share their triumph with their supporters

36 37 TALKING POINTS

Klopp’s Kop revival

The Liverpool manager’s heart-on-sleeve visible presence in the technical area – Liverpool’s success – and the way a style of management had an immediate brought some big performances out of his Villarreal side appeared cowed by the impact on the Anfield faithful players. James Milner said after the semi- Anfield atmosphere – also highlighted final against Villarreal: “If you’re tired in the the impact a crowd can have on a team’s For anybody present at Anfield for either game and look over and see the manager performance. Sir Alex added: “I’ve always Liverpool’s quarter-final comeback win bouncing around on the sidelines, it helps thought that playing at Anfield was very over Borussia Dortmund or the semi-final you go that extra mile.” difficult because the crowd create an success against Villarreal, it was impossible It was fascinating watching Klopp amazing atmosphere that puts a lot of to miss the electrifying impact made by standing in the centre of the Anfield pitch teams, opponents and the referees under Jürgen Klopp on a famous old club. Anfield and punching the air – drawing a loud pressure a lot. We saw evidence of that: had been subdued for Liverpool’s first cheer from the Kop with each swing of when 3-1 down against Dortmund they group fixture against FC Sion, a 1-1 draw on his arm. Sir Alex Ferguson suggests the got that second goal and the crowd lifted 1 October. Seven days later Jürgen Klopp German is a good fit with Liverpool. “He’s them and I think it inspires this team. They took over from Brendan Rodgers and the bought into the fans,” he said, “and the are that kind of football club, Liverpool, mood was transformed. support have taken to him because he’s that get inspired by their support.” Klopp, the former Dortmund coach, shown that enthusiasm on the touchline, Inheriting such a tradition can be a established a strong connection with the with his energy and his personality double-edged sword but Klopp used it Anfield crowd and his heart-on-the-sleeve when he’s jumping out there. I think the as an inspiration when he referenced the style of management – he is a highly combination of both suit each other.” famous 2005 UEFA Champions League final comeback in in his half-time team talk against Dortmund. Ultimately, Jürgen Klopp lives Klopp failed to end his first season with and breathes the silverware and Sir Alex had the following game on the sidelines words of advice as he recalled the challenge he faced when taking over at Manchester United FC back in 1986, looking to create a new era of success. “You can’t allow the past to interrupt the future,” he said. “That’s what I always felt. When I went to United at first, I thought about the history but that history wouldn’t do me any good – it was only the future that was going to help me. To rebuild that future Sevilla defeated Spanish took time. I did it with young players, I built rivals Athletic Club on penalties in the quarter-finals a foundation that lasted a long time and anyone going to a club with history has to think about it, but never allow it to impede your ability to look to the future.” Spanish stranglehold

The recent dominance of Spanish clubs in times in this period, along with Club teams have shone. Spain has provided “If you’re tired Europe is built from youth levels up Atlético de Madrid (2010, 2012) and the last three UEFA Champions League and you see Valencia CF (2004). winners while their senior national team With Sevilla’s historic third consecutive Sevilla were not the only club from achieved their own hat-trick of titles the manager triumph, they became the first club since Spain’s Liga to travel far in the 2015/16 between 2008 and 2012, with two bouncing around FC Bayern München in the mid-seventies competition either: Athletic Club won UEFA European Championships and to achieve a hat-trick of victories in a UEFA Group L en route to the quarter-finals, one FIFA World Cup. on the sidelines, club competition – in Bayern’s case the where they lost to Emery’s side, while it helps you go European Champion Clubs’ Cup. Moreover, Villarreal defeated SSC Napoli and Sevilla’s feat highlighted the stranglehold Bayer 04 Leverkusen on their run to that extra mile” that Spanish clubs have had on the the semi-finals. 8 competition in recent seasons. There has If Sevilla’s victory means Spain climbed Spanish teams have won eight of the been a Spanish name etched on the trophy above Italy as the country with most wins past 13 titles in the competition. in eight of the past 13 campaigns. Sevilla – in the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League, it the pentacampeones – have featured five is not just in this competition that Spanish

38 39 ANALYSIS All-star squad

Eight clubs were represented in the squad of the season with Sevilla leading the way with seven players

One of the tasks of the UEFA technical observers, meeting in Basel on the morning after Sevilla FC’s triumph, was to select their UEFA Europa League David Soria David de Gea Darijo Srna Emre Can Steven N’Zonzi Marlos squad of the season – and not surprisingly, the winning Sevilla Manchester United Shakhtar Liverpool Sevilla Shakhtar club featured prominently. Goalkeeper Goalkeeper Defender Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder The technical observers chose players who had made significant contributions over the entire campaign and Sevilla’s quality across the pitch meant that, as in 2015, seven of their players were chosen in the 18-man squad. Midfielder Éver Banega featured for the second year running, while eight-goal Kevin Gameiro was named among the quartet of strikers, which also featured the tournament’s top scorer Aritz Aduriz, of Athletic Club, who hit ten goals. Runners-up Liverpool FC were represented by Emre Can and Philippe Coutinho. The latter scored a fine individual goal at Old Trafford in the all-English round of 16 tie against Manchester United FC, Mats Hummels Gonzalo Castro Philippe Coutinho Éver Banega Grzegorz Krychowiak whose goalkeeper David de Gea’s brilliant efforts Tottenham Dortmund Dortmund Liverpool Sevilla Sevilla in damage limitation in the first leg at Anfield ensured Defender Defender Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder Midfielder his own inclusion. Of the beaten semi-finalists, FC Shakhtar Donetsk had two players chosen, right-back Darijo Srna and quick wide man Marlos, while Villarreal CF’s nine-goal front man Cédric Bakumbu was selected too. In total, eight different clubs were represented, including quarter-finalists Borussia Dortmund, whose Mats Hummels was one of the competition’s most impressive central defenders, and Tottenham Hotspur FC, who had their own prominent centre-back in Toby Alderweireld.

Adil Rami Mariano Ferreira Aritz Aduriz Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Cédric Bakambu Kevin Gameiro Sevilla Sevilla Athletic Club Dortmund Villarreal Sevilla Defender Defender Forward Forward Forward Forward

40 41 STATISTICS Passing Goal attempts

For the third year running, AFC Ajax, ACF Fiorentina and With a goal every 6.65 attempts, Sevilla How the last 16 compared Goal attempts (round of 16 teams) Tottenham Hotspur FC featured in the top ten passing teams. FC were almost as efficient as in 2014/15 The absence of a Spanish side on that list underlines the shift when they recorded a rate of 5.86. SSC Attempted passes Completion Total Average Average away from a possession game. Team Napoli were the second-highest scorers in Team Matches attempts Goals attempts per match rate attempts per match per goal 2014/15 and ranked among the top three Dortmund 633 90% once more despite not reaching the round Liverpool 15 245 16.33 19 12.89 Tottenham 501 87% of 16. Liverpool showed a team could go Dortmund 12 193 16.08 22 8.77 Top ten teams (overall) Liverpool 468 88% far without one of the tournament’s leading Athletic 12 157 13.08 23 6.83 Basel 464 87% marksmen but, as the Spanish clubs Attempted passes Completion Villarreal 14 156 11.14 23 6.78 Team Manchester United 461 88% illustrate, it certainly helps. per match rate Sparta Praha 12 156 13 21 7.43 Sevilla 441 85% Braga 12 147 12.25 16 9.19 Napoli 634 89% Villarreal 411 85% Fenerbahçe 10 143 14.3 12 11.92 Dortmund 633 90% Lazio 411 80% Top scorers (overall) Lazio 10 130 13 18 7.22 Fiorentina 532 89% Braga 409 87% Anderlecht 10 115 11.5 12 9.58 Olympiacos 513 83% Athletic 398 81% Club Goals Basel 10 114 11.4 14 8.14 Tottenham 501 87% Valencia 397 82% Aritz Aduriz Athletic Club 10 Sevilla 9 113 12.56 17 6.65 Ajax 474 85% Shakhtar 394 87% Cédric Bakambu Villarreal 9 Tottenham 10 112 11.2 17 6.59 Beşiktaş 474 89% Fenerbahçe 389 85% Kevin Gameiro Sevilla 8 Shakhtar 8 87 10.88 16 5.44 Qarabağ 474 86% Sparta Praha 379 82% P Aubameyang Dortmund 8 Manchester United 4 63 15.75 7 9 Liverpool 468 88% Anderlecht 359 83% Raúl Bobadilla Augsburg 6 Valencia 4 45 11.25 12 3.75 Basel 464 87% Leverkusen 271 78% Tottenham 6 Leverkusen 4 32 8 4 8

Not one of the four Spanish clubs in Napoli top the overall chart for Leverkusen’s style of getting Three of the top four goalscorers were from The goal tally of the three top-scoring Liverpool reached the final with 11 scorers the last 16 ranks among the top five averaging the most attempted passes, the ball forward quickly is reflected Spanish sides. Aritz Aduriz was the only sides in 2015/16 – Napoli, Athletic Club yet none of them managed more for passes attempted – and yet three a reflection of their approach under coach in their 78% passing accuracy and the player among the top ten scorers and Villarreal. Napoli scored 23 goals than three goals (Adam Lallana and English teams do. Maurizio Sarri and also their superiority fact they completed 210 passes per match at a club from his home country. from eight matches at 2.88 per game, the Daniel Sturridge). in the group stage when winning all six on average. season’s second-best rate. games. They completed 564 passes per match on average.

Liverpool had the most goal attempts of any team in the Valencia had the most economical scoring rate with a goal Dortmund had the highest pass completion rate in the The average passes attempted per match by Azerbaijan’s competition yet also needed the most attempts to score a for every 3.75 attempts. Among the last 16, Shakhtar had competition (90%), as well as the most possession (61%). Qarabağ – but they still finished bottom of their group. goal: 12.89 for their 19 goals. the second-best rate (5.44) with Tottenham third (6.59).

42 43 STATISTICS Disciplinary

The total number of yellow cards issued over the 205 matches of the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League was 865 – 21 more than in the 2 previous season. There were also 48 red cards. Olexandr Kucher of Shakhtar had the most red cards in the competition and also received an unsurpassed number of yellows (five, along with Fouls and cards (round of 16 teams) four other players). Overall, though, he committed Fouls Fouls Yellow Red only nine fouls in six matches. Team Matches committed suffered cards cards

Sparta 12 212 109 35 1 Liverpool 15 205 165 24 0 18 Anderlecht 10 159 125 26 1 Stefano Okaka of Anderlecht was caught offside Athletic 12 154 126 26 0 most often, 18 times in 10 appearances. PAOK’s Róbert Mak recorded a higher ratio, with 12 Tottenham 10 150 94 15 0 offsides from six appearances. Villarreal 14 142 155 22 1 Braga 12 140 172 25 1 Basel 10 138 141 23 1 Fenerbahçe 10 133 129 30 4 212 Lazio 10 115 126 19 2 Sparta Praha committed the most fouls (212), at Sevilla 9 115 113 23 1 a rate of 17.7 per game. Olympiacos, with 35 fouls Dortmund 12 115 149 19 0 from two fixtures played, had the second-highest Shakhtar 8 99 122 21 2 rate of 17.5. Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Slovan Marco Reus on the ball for Dortmund, who enjoyed more Manchester Liberec, with 17.2 per game (103 each 4 51 45 10 0 possession than any other side United from six games) were joint third on the list. Valencia 4 48 52 8 0 Leverkusen 4 41 37 9 1 4.22 The average number of yellow cards per game in Possession the 2015/16 season.

Only three of the ten teams who had most possession in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League reached the round of 16 or beyond, 61% 172 which underlines that possession is no guarantee of success – not Quarter-finalists Dortmund had the highest ball possession Braga were fouled the most, with 172 least when the focus of many coaches has shifted towards a more rate in the 2015/16 competition. coming from 12 matches. counterattacking, transition-based approach. Average possession (overall) 52% 35 Sevilla ranked fifth among the last-16 clubs for ball possession. Sparta Praha collected the most yellow cards – Team Average possession per match This was more than when winning the UEFA Europa League in 35 from 12 matches – at a rate of 2.9 per game. 2014/15 (48%) but less than in 2013/14 (55%). Dortmund* 61% Napoli 60% Olympiacos 58% 8 Schalke 57% 48% The team with the lowest average of fouls per Ajax 57% Shakhtar and Villarreal reached the semi-finals despite match was Monaco – 48 fouls over six games. Fiorentina 57% averaging less than 50% possession in their matches. Second on the list were Molde with an average Beşiktaş 57% of 8.75 fouls per game. Manchester United* 56% Sporting 56% 46% Liverpool* 55% RSC Anderlecht had the lowest average possession (46%) Zdeněk Ščasný’s 4 Marseille 55% of the teams who made it to the last 16 Sparta side were the Fenerbahçe had the highest number of red most penalised *Reached last 16 or beyond cards, four, from ten matches played.

44 45 COACH COACH Besnik Hasi RSC ANDERLECHT Born: 29/12/1971, ATHLETIC CLUB Born: 09/02/1964, Gjakova (KOS) Viandar de la Vera (ESP) Belgium Nationality: Albanian Spain Nationality: Spanish Matches in UEFA Europa Matches in UEFA Europa League/ League/UEFA Cup:* 12 UEFA Cup:* 55 Matches in European Matches in European club club competition:** 18 competition:** 79 Head coach since: Head coach since: 10/03/2014 01/07/2013

*Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 1 13

4 14 7 3 16 4 10 24 31 16 6 7

10 18 14 22 15 93 99 20

Anderlecht Athletic

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL MON QAR TOT TOT MON QAR O LY O LY SHK SHK AUG AZ PAR PAR AUG AZ MAR MAR VAL VAL SEV SEV D 1-1 L 1-0 W 2-1 L 2-1 W 0-2 W 2-1 W 1-0 W 1-2 L 3-1 L 0-1 W 3-1 L 2-1 W 0-2 W 5-1 W 2-3 D 2-2 W 0-1 D 1-1 W 1-0 L 2-1 L 1-2 W 1-2*

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *lost 5-4 on pens App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 1 10 930 25 26 1 1 25 26 0 33 12 115 46 13 Iago Herrerín 12 1110 23 157 77 (12 per match) (5 per match) Sent off: (13 per match) (6 per match) DEFENDERS Mbodji 26 Alejandro Remiro TIME SCORED 3 Olivier Deschacht 10 930 DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 1 1 4 1 2 Eneko Bóveda 8 530 2 2 3 3 8 14 4 198 2 1 0 0 1 1 2 0 5 0 0 0 4 Aymeric Laporte 9 810 21 Fabrice N'Sakala 3 263 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 24 Michael Heylen 1 6 (Minutes) 10 Óscar de Marcos 9 777 1 (Minutes) 28 Alexander Büttner 2 180 16 9 840 SUBSTITUTIONS 30/30 (Including 4 double substitutions) SUBSTITUTIONS 36/36 (Including 1 double substitution) 37 Ivan Obradović 3 245 24 Mikel Balenziaga 9 825 1 1 14 12 2 1 0 0 16 8 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 Enric Saborit 1 90 1 0 1 0 10 MIDFIELDERS 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 30 Iñigo Lekue 6 334 4 Serigne Mbodji 9 836 1 1 (Minutes) (Minutes) 7 Andy Najar 9 815 1 MIDFIELDERS 8 Stéphane Badji 4 355 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 3 Gorka Elustondo 6 172 1 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 10 9 785 1 POSSESSION • 1-4-4-2, changed to 1-4-3-3 for win 5 6 380 POSSESSION • 1-4-2-3-1, switching to 1-4-1-4-1 11 Filip Djuričić 3 179 46% Max. 58% v Shakhtar Donetsk (h) against Tottenham 6 Mikel San José 9 803 1 51% Max. 61% v Partizan (h) when attacking and 1-4-4-2 when • Good use of width; substantial defending deep Min. 36% v Tottenham (h) 7 Beñat Etxebarria 8 733 2 4 Min. 43% v Augsburg (a) 16 9 736 3 threat from wide attackers • Influential goalkeeper Herrerín 18 Frank Acheampong 9 558 4 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED • Pace and power with striker Okaka 8 7 347 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED able to join in build-up with 359 Max. 445 v Shakhtar Donetsk (h) 398 Max. 597 v Partizan (h) and Acheampong cutting inside 17 7 356 passing skills 27 Mahmoud Hassan 1 19 Min. 227 v Olympiacos (h) • Experience of senior players Proto, Min. 298 v Valencia (h) 18 Carlos Gurpegi 4 280 • Good discipline and defensive 30 Guillaume Gillet 6 522 3 PASSING ACCURACY Defour and – in group stage – Gillet PASSING ACCURACY organisation; determined and 31 9 495 1 83% Max. 89% v Shakhtar Donetsk (h) • Defensive resilience and 23 2 66 81% Max. 88% v Partizan (h) mentally strong good organisation, typified • Wide players able to come inside Min. 71% v Olympiacos (h) FORWARDS Min. 67% v Valencia (h) 32 6 547 by Deschacht and threaten in 1v1 – speed of • Patient build-up from the back, 9 Kike Sola 2 140 1 Williams FORWARDS PLAYER STATISTICS PLAYER STATISTICS through midfield 11 Ibai Gómez 1 64 • Option of long ball to striker; used 9 Matías Suárez 7 294 1 • Flexible players able to switch as tactic to start counterattacks SHOTS T OT G 14 Markel Susaeta 10 788 2 2 SHOTS T OT G 17 Ibrahima Conté 3 31 1 positions (eg Najar, right-back and • High pressing and immediate 1 Stefano Okaka 18 7 2 15 Iñaki Williams 6 366 2 1 1 Aritz Aduriz 28 18 10 26 Idrissa Sylla 4 24 right-wing) pressure after losing possession 2 Frank Acheampong 13 8 4 • Strong mentality and 19 5 239 1 2 Raúl García 21 8 3 • European knowhow and physical 38 Andy Kawaya 1 1 determination to win at Monaco presence of forward García 3 Dennis Praet 13 3 0 20 Aritz Aduriz 11 907 10 2 3 Markel Susaeta 16 9 2 46 Dodi Lukebakio 1 24 and Olympiacos • Aerial power in attack, notably at T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 21 Borja Viguera 4 1 74 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 93 Imoh Ezekiel 7 342 1 • Creativity and strength in set pieces PASSES A C % 1v1s (Suárez) 22 Raúl García 9 671 3 1 PASSES A C % • Good crossing ability (Etxebarria) 99 Stefano Okaka 10 913 2 • Talented homegrown players Praet • Dangerous centre-forward in 1 Steven Defour 406 348 86 27 8 410 1 1 1 Aymeric Laporte 450 384 85 Unused substitute: Aaron Leya Iseka (22), Tielemans (19) Aduriz, with goal instinct and App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 2 Andy Najar 319 267 84 App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 2 Beñat Etxebarria 423 354 84 heading ability 3 Serigne Mbodji 310 278 90 3 Mikel San José 392 325 83

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

46 47 COACH COACH FC BASEL 1893 Born: 20/02/1966, SC BRAGA Born: 05/03/1973, Triengen (SUI) Nampula (MOZ) Switzerland Nationality: Swiss Portugal Nationality: Portuguese Matches in UEFA Europa Matches in UEFA Europa League/ League/UEFA Cup:* 23 UEFA Cup:* 12 Matches in European Matches in European club club competition:** 37 competition:** 12 Head coach since: Head coach since: 01/07/2015 01/07/2015

*Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 1 92

17 6 15 24 5 87 5 19

35 8 34 7 23 18

36 10 8 19 20

21

Basel Braga

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL FIO LCH BEL BEL FIO LCH SET SET SEV SEV LIB GRO MAR MAR LIB GRO SIO SIO FEN FEN SHK SHK W 1-2 W 2-0 L 1-2 W 0-2 D 2-2 W 0-1 L 3-2 W 2-1* D 0-0 L 3-0 W 0-1 W 1-0 W 3-2 L 1-0 W 2-1 D 0-0 W 1-2 D 2-2 L 1-0 W 4-1 L 1-2 L 4-0

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *won on away goals Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 1 Tomáš Vaclík 7 630 27 23 1 1 Stanislav Kritsyuk 21 25 1 18 Germano Vailati 3 225 14 114 43 28 Marafona 16 147 64 (11 per match) (4 per match) Sent off: (12 per match) (5 per match) Sent off: 23 Mirko Salvi 1 44 Embolo 92 Matheus 12 1080 Vukčević DEFENDERS TIME SCORED DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 3 Adama Traoré 3 152 0 2 3 2 5 Willy Boly 12 1053 1 1 4 4 2 1 3 1 0 0 3 0 2 1 0 0 5 Michael Lang 10 811 1 1 6 André Pinto 7 463 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 6 540 1 1 (Minutes) 15 Baiano 8 720 1 (Minutes) 16 1 90 16 Djavan 5 443 1 SUBSTITUTIONS 21/30 (Including 1 double substitution) SUBSTITUTIONS 34/36 (Including 2 double substitutions) 17 Marek Suchý 9 810 1 1 24 Ricardo Ferreira 9 560 1 2 8 8 0 0 0 0 12 13 4 0 0 19 Behrang Safari 7 612 0 0 0 3 32 Arghus 1 40 1 0 1 3 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 26 Daniel Høegh 3 181 (Minutes) 87 Marcelo Goiano 10 900 (Minutes) 37 Adoni Ajeti 1 45 MIDFIELDERS MIDFIELDERS AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 8 Luíz Carlos 10 750 1 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 7 Luca Zuffi 10 833 2 1 POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3; 1-5-3-2 and 1-5-4-1 for 18 Rafa Silva 12 1070 3 4 POSSESSION • 1-4-4-2, with switch to 1-2-4-2-2 8 Birkir Bjarnason 10 800 2 52% Max. 58% v Belenenses (a) more defensive approach v Sevilla 21 Filipe Augusto 3 19 53% Max. 60% v Liberec (h) when building attacks • Experienced, mentally strong team; • Play with high defensive line and 10 Matías Delgado 5 297 2 Min. 40% v Sevilla (h) 27 Josué 5 338 2 Min. 46% v Marseille (a) good composure high pressing; apply pressure after 15 Alexander Fransson 3 81 PASSES ATTEMPTED • Compact defence with low block, 30 Alan 7 565 1 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED losing ball 464 Max. 573 v Lech (a) 409 Max. 504 v Liberec (h) 22 Zdravko Kuzmanović 2 79 pressing close to their own goal 35 Nikola Vukčević 11 970 1 • Comfortable in possession, with Min. 335 v Sevilla (a) • Strong goalkeeper in Vaclík Min. 307 v Liberec (a) assured combination play 24 Renato Steffen 4 266 63 Mauro 7 475 PASSING ACCURACY • Defensive knowhow of Samuel, PASSING ACCURACY • Two screening midfielders; one 28 Robin Huser 1 11 87% Max. 91% v Fiorentina (a) Suchý, Safari FORWARDS 87% Max. 92% v Shakhtar Donetsk (h) always working with two 33 Mohamed Elneny 5 450 2 Min. 78% v St Etienne (h) • Midfielders with an eye for goal in 7 Wilson Eduardo 10 409 2 Min. 79% v Liberec (a) central defenders Bjarnason, Zuffi 34 10 900 1 • Influential midfield players like Luíz • European experience of striker 9 Crislan 5 156 1 Carlos and Vukčević 39 Davide Callà 5 204 PLAYER STATISTICS Janko (scorer for four teams in 17 Rui Fonte 7 381 1 PLAYER STATISTICS • Full-backs Baiano and Marcelo 77 Jean-Paul Boëtius 4 248 1 this competition) Goiano play high up and SHOTS T OT G 19 Nikola Stojiljković 6 387 3 SHOTS T OT G • Prodigious talent in Embolo – practically function as wingers FORWARDS 1 Birkir Bjarnason 19 5 2 power, speed, 20 Ahmed Hassan 11 921 3 1 1 Ahmed Hassan 24 9 3 • Wide attackers like Rafa Silva 11 Shkelzen Gashi 2 100 2 Breel Embolo 16 7 2 • Ability to attack down flanks and 23 Pedro Santos 8 185 1 2 Rafa Silva 18 9 3 come inside to receive ball; switch through the middle between flanks 21 9 788 2 1 3 Marc Janko 13 8 2 Unused substitutes: Núrio Fortuna, Joca, Joan Roman 3 Wilson Eduardo 13 6 2 • Set-piece threat from Zuffi App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists • Determination and team spirit 30 Cédric Itten 1 19 3 Luca Zuffi 13 6 2 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Goalkeeper Matheus able to join 36 Breel Embolo 8 620 2 2 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals PASSES A C % defenders in build-up play • Positive attacking style, with 38 2 103 1 Nikola Vukčević 563 528 94 PASSES A C % players able to threaten in Unused substitutes: Philipp Degen, Eray Cümart, 1 Marek Suchý 579 522 90 2 Willy Boly 520 476 92 1v1s (Rafa Silva) Yoichiro Kakitani, Nicolas Hunziker App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 2 Taulant Xhaka 473 449 95 3 Luíz Carlos 507 460 91 3 Mohamed Elneny 438 409 93 A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

48 49 COACH COACH Thomas Tuchel Vítor Pereira BORUSSIA DORTMUND Born: 29/08/1973, FENERBAHÇE SK Born: 26/07/1968, Krumbach (GER) Espinho (POR) Germany Nationality: German Turkey Nationality: Portuguese Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in UEFA Europa League/ UEFA Cup:* 12 UEFA Cup:* 16 Matches in European club Matches in European club competition:** 18 competition:** 30 Head coach since: Head coach since: 29/06/2015 11/06/2015

*Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 1 40

6 15 4 22 26 29 19 88 5 33 6 10 23 27 17 26 10 11 11 17

Dortmund Fenerbahçe

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL KRA PAOK QAB QAB KRA PAOK POR POR TOT TOT LIV LIV MOL CEL AJX AJX MOL CEL LMO LMO BRA BRA W 2-1 D 1-1 W 1-3 W 4-0 L 1-0 L 0-1 W 2-0 W 0-1 W 3-0 W 1-2 D 1-1 L 4-3 L 1-3 D 2-2 W 1-0 D 0-0 W 0-2 D 1-1 W 2-0 D 1-1 W 1-0 L 4-1

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 1 Roman Weidenfeller 10 900 25 19 0 1 Volkan Demirel 3 270 22 30 4 38 Roman Bürki 2 180 22 193 78 25 Ertuğrul Taşkıran 12 143 51 (2 own goals) (16 per match) (7 per match) (14 per match) (5 per match) Sent off: Topal, 39 Hendrik Bonmann 40 Fabiano 7 630 Şen, Potuk, Diego DEFENDERS TIME SCORED DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 3 Park Joo Ho 4 339 1 1 4 3 8 0 3 Hasan Ali Kaldırım 5 434 1 1 3 2 4 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 Neven Subotić 5 347 1 4 Simon Kjær 8 720 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 15 Mats Hummels 10 828 1 1 (Minutes) 19 Şener Özbayraklı 5 406 (Minutes) 25 Sokratis Papastathopoulos 6 428 22 Bruno Alves 9 810 SUBSTITUTIONS 36/36 (Including 2 double substitutions) SUBSTITUTIONS 29/30 (Including four double substitutions) 26 Łukasz Piszczek 9 737 1 1 24 Michal Kadlec 5 145 6 13 12 0 0 0 1 12 13 0 0 0 28 9 538 1 1 0 0 0 5 53 Abdoulaye Ba 3 192 0 0 2 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 29 Marcel Schmelzer 11 810 1 (Minutes) 77 Gökhan Gönül 6 494 2 (Minutes) 35 Pascal Stenzel 1 90 MIDFIELDERS 37 Erik Durm 3 171 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 5 Mehmet Topal 9 754 2 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES MIDFIELDERS POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3 6 Souza 8 714 2 POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3 6 8 566 61% Max. 72% v PAOK (h) • Good defensive organisation 8 9 502 1 51% Max. 59% v Molde (h) • Overlapping full-backs provide with strong leader in Hummels width – Hasan Ali, Caner, Gökhan 7 Jonas Hofmann 3 248 Min. 41% v Liverpool (a) 10 Diego 6 421 Min. 41% v Braga (a) • Effective use of full-backs; • Screening midfielder Mehmet 8 Ilkay Gündogan 6 325 PASSES ATTEMPTED overlapping by Schmelzer, 14 3 165 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED Topal sits in front of back four, 633 Max. 818 v PAOK (a) 389 Max. 493 v Molde (h) 9 5 331 1 Piszczek, Ginter 15 Uygar Zeybek 1 21 connecting defence and attack Min. 361 v Liverpool (a) • Excellent passing and possession; Min. 252 v Braga (a) • Defensive resilience, with 10 11 902 2 4 20 Volkan Şen 8 399 PASSING ACCURACY constructive build-up play PASSING ACCURACY seven clean sheets in 12 games 11 Marco Reus 10 742 5 2 90% Max. 93% v Tottenham (h) • Deep-sitting midfielder Weigl with 26 Alper Potuk 9 486 1 1 85% Max. 90% v Molde (h) including qualifying 14 Moritz Leitner 3 43 Min. 81% v Tottenham (a) vision and passing ability 50 Lazar Marković 2 167 1 Min. 77% v Ajax (a) • Kjær and Bruno Alves strong in the • Midfield pressing; immediate air in centre of defence 18 Nuri Şahin 3 146 88 6 454 2 pressure on opponents after • Three midfield players rotate 22 Christian Pulišić 3 47 PLAYER STATISTICS losing ball FORWARDS PLAYER STATISTICS positions; combine careful 23 8 481 SHOTS T OT G • Dangerous crosses and use of 9 Fernandão 9 334 4 SHOTS T OT G build-up with long balls 27 Gonzalo Castro 8 683 1 1 diagonal balls to open up game • Wingers come inside to support 1 Henrikh Mkhitaryan 33 10 2 • Fluid attacking play; Reus, Kagawa, 11 9 651 1 1 Robin van Persie 23 9 0 lone striker and change flanks 33 12 946 2 P Aubameyang 31 17 8 Mkhitaryan offering pace and 17 Nani 9 681 1 1 2 Nani 21 7 1 • Lots of European experience FORWARDS 3 Marco Reus 24 10 5 movement behind striker Unused substitutes: Hakan Çinemre, Ramazan Civelek 3 Souza 16 3 2 (Bruno Alves, Diego, Nani, • Influential midfielder able to push App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists Van Persie) T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 17 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 10 772 8 2 forward (Castro) T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Players with excellent 20 Adrián Ramos 8 280 PASSES A C % • Speed in attack of Aubameyang; PASSES A C % individual skills like Nani option of vertical pass and • Goal threat on bench Unused substitute: Patrik Fritsch 1 Julian Weigl 728 681 94 1 Mehmet Topal 376 337 90 App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists quick transition in Fernandão 2 Mats Hummels 684 625 91 • Aerial power and threat from 2 Souza 315 284 90 3 Sven Bender 509 485 95 set pieces 3 Bruno Alves 305 271 89

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

50 51 COACH COACH Stefano Pioli Roger Schmidt SS LAZIO Born: 20/10/1965, BAYER 04 LEVERKUSEN Born: 13/03/1967, Parma (ITA) Kierspe (GER) Italy Nationality: Italian Germany Nationality: German Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in UEFA Europa UEFA Cup:* 16 League/UEFA Cup:* 14 Matches in European club Matches in European competition:** 20 club competition:** 38 Head coach from/to: Head coach since: 12/06/2014 to 03/04/2016 01/06/2014

*Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 22 1

13 2 16 5 4 18 29 26 20 23 10

38 19 16 21 7 87 14 11 17

Lazio Leverkusen

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE (UEFA Champions League) ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL DNI SET ROS ROS DNI SET GAL GAL SPP SPP BATE BAR ROM ROM BATE BAR SPO SPO VIL VIL D 1-1 W 3-2 W 3-1 W 0-2 W 3-1 D 1-1 D 1-1 W 3-1 D 1-1 L 0-3 W 4-1 L 2-1 D 4-4 L 3-2 D 1-1 D 1-1 W 0-1 W 3-1 L 2-0 D 0-0

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 22 Federico Marchetti 5 450 25 19 2 1 4 360 19 9 1 55 Guido Guerrieri 18 130 55 25 Dario Krešic 4 32 10 (13 per match) (6 per match) Sent off: (8 per match) (4 per match) Sent off: Jedvaj 99 Etrit Berisha 5 450 Maurício, Keita DEFENDERS DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 2 André Ramalho 2 38 TIME SCORED 2 8 720 1 1 4 2 3 2 4 4 360 1 2 0 1 1 2 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 Dušan Basta 3 201 5 Kyriakos Papadopoulos 4 281 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 13 Milan Biševac 3 270 (Minutes) 13 Roberto Hilbert 1 5 (Minutes) 18 Santiago Gentiletti 5 393 16 3 265 1 SUBSTITUTIONS 28/30 (Including 1 double substitution) SUBSTITUTIONS 12/12 (No double substitutions) 19 Senad Lulić 6 301 18 4 360 2 12 7 0 0 0 1 5 5 0 0 0 26 Ştefan Radu 8 720 1 1 0 0 6 21 Ömer Toprak 1 90 0 0 0 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 29 Abdoulay Konko 9 742 1 (Minutes) MIDFIELDERS (Minutes) 33 Maurício 8 459 19 4 291 MIDFIELDERS AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 23 Christoph Kramer 4 313 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 6 Stefano Mauri 6 213 POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3 35 Vladlen Yurchenko 2 22 POSSESSION • 1-4-2-3-1; also 1-4-4-2 becoming 7 Ravel Morrison 2 92 50% Max. 62% v Sparta Praha (h) • Defend deep out of possession 37 Marlon Frey 2 115 54% Max. 67% v Villarreal (h) 1-4-2-2-2 when attacking but capable of quick transitions • High-tempo pressing, hunting Min. 41% v Rosenborg (h) 38 4 356 3 Min. 44% v Sporting CP (a) 10 Felipe Anderson 7 520 2 into attack second ball in opposition half 16 7 630 3 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED • High pressing game in 39 1 11 PASSES ATTEMPTED • Kramer stays deep as 411 Max. 564 v Sparta Praha (h) 271 Max. 457 v Villarreal (a) 20 5 450 1 2 opposition half FORWARDS screening midfielder Min. 299 v Dnipro (a) • Overlapping full-backs, especially Min. 306 v Sporting CP (a) • Influential goalkeeper in Leno 21 Sergej Milinković-Savić 6 489 2 7 Javier Hernández 3 270 1 PASSING ACCURACY down right with Candreva PASSING ACCURACY • More patient, possession-based 23 4 265 1 1 80% Max. 86% v Sparta Praha (a) moving inside 10 Hakan Çalhanoğlu 4 360 1 78% Max. 87% v Villarreal (a) approach later in season 32 5 376 1 Min. 72% v Dnipro (a) • Midfielders with good technical 11 Stefan Kiessling 3 220 Min. 71% v Sporting CP (h) • Good organisation in defence and ability; composure on the ball when facing opposition set pieces; 70 Chris Ikonomidis 1 84 • Good links between lines; players 14 Admir Mehmedi 4 187 aerial power 87 Antonio Candreva 9 490 2 1 PLAYER STATISTICS breaking from deep to score 27 Robbie Kruse 3 56 PLAYER STATISTICS • Dead-ball threat from Çalhanoğlu (Milinković-Savić, Onazi, Parolo) FORWARDS SHOTS T OT G Unused substitutes: Joel Abu Hanna, Lukas Boeder SHOTS T OT G • Quick, creative wide attackers in • Aerial strength at set pieces in App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists Bellarabi, Brandt, Mehmedi 9 Filip Djordjević 3 176 3 1 Marco Parolo 19 5 3 both boxes 1 Karim Bellarabi 5 3 3 • Experienced centre-forwards 11 4 164 1 2 Antonio Candreva 17 8 2 • Attack with width and athleticism; 2 K Papadopoulos 5 1 0 combining well in Hernández and 14 Keita 5 322 1 3 Alessandro Matri 12 7 2 Candreva crossing ability 3 Hakan Çalhanoğlu 4 1 1 unselfish Kiessling • Attacking players with ability in • Çalhanoğlu in No10 role creating 17 Alessandro Matri 10 586 2 2 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 1v1s – eg Keita dribbling T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals for Hernández, especially if 88 Ricardo Kishna 3 247 3 PASSES A C % • Able to keep possession with PASSES A C % Kiessling absent holding midfielder supporting Unused substitute: Alessandro Murgia 1 Lucas Biglia 366 327 89 1 Hakan Çalhanoğlu 164 137 84 App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists centre-backs and helping build 2 Wesley Hoedt 325 277 85 up play (Biglia) 2 Wendell 110 84 76 3 Ştefan Radu 294 239 81 3 Christoph Kramer 108 80 74

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

52 53 COACH COACH Jürgen Klopp LIVERPOOL FC Born: 16/06/1967, MANCHESTER UNITED FC Born: 08/08/1951, Stuttgart (GER) Amsterdam (NED) England Nationality: German England Nationality: Dutch Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in UEFA Europa UEFA Cup:* 23 League/UEFA Cup:* 52 Matches in European club Matches in European club competition:** 64 competition:** 164 Head coach since: Head coach from/to: 08/10/2015 19/05/2014 to 23/05/2016 Brendan Rodgers was in charge on *Group stage to final *Group stage to final **Including qualifying matchdays one and two **Including qualifying TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 22 1

4 6 12 17 30 5 2 18 23 28 16 7

8 20 35 9 10 11 39 15

Liverpool Man Utd

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE (UEFA Champions League) ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL BOR SIO RUB RUB BOR SIO AUG AUG MU MU DOR DOR VIL VIL SEV PSV WOL CSKA CSKA PSV WOL MID MID LIV LIV D 1-1 D 1-1 D 1-1 W 0-1 W 2-1 D 0-0 D 0-0 W 1-0 W 2-0 D 1-1 D 1-1 W 4-3 L 1-0 W 3-0 L 1-3 L 2-1 W 2-1 D 1-1 W 1-0 D 0-0 L 3-2 L 2-1 W 5-1 L 2-0 D 1-1

Dark green = home, light green = away, orange = final; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 22 Simon Mignolet 15 1350 26 24 0 1 David de Gea 2 180 23 10 0 34 Ádám Bogdán 19 245 91 20 2 180 7 63 16 (16 per match) (6 per match) (16 per match) (4 per match) 52 Danny Ward (1 own goal) 40 Joel Pereira (1 own goal) DEFENDERS TIME SCORED DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 2 14 1215 1 1 5 4 2 5 3 163 0 3 2 2 3 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 Kolo Touré 8 636 12 3 270 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 Dejan Lovren 10 900 1 (Minutes) 30 Guillermo Varela 3 225 1 (Minutes) 12 2 180 33 Paddy McNair 1 90 SUBSTITUTIONS 41/45 (Including 2 double substitutions) SUBSTITUTIONS 11/12 (No double substitutions) 17 Mamadou Sakho 10 824 1 36 Matteo Darmian 1 28 4 17 16 3 0 0 2 3 5 1 0 0 18 Alberto Moreno 13 1125 0 1 0 0 37 Donald Love 1 90 0 0 0 0 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 37 Martin Škrtel 2 91 (Minutes) 41 Regan Poole 1 1 (Minutes) 44 Bradley Smith 1 90 49 Joe Riley 1 79 MIDFIELDERS AVERAGES KEY FEATURES MIDFIELDERS AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 7 James Milner 12 1013 2 3 POSSESSION • 1-4-2-3-1 8 4 337 1 POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3, switched to 1-4-4-1-1 11 Roberto Firmino 13 933 1 3 55% Max. 67% v Rubin (h) • Compact defence; aerial 16 4 295 56% Max. 65% v Midtjylland (h) at Liverpool strength of centre-backs • Influential goalkeeper in the 14 6 463 Min. 41% v Dortmund (a) 17 4 360 Min. 40% v Liverpool (a) • Emre Can in organisational role, excellent De Gea 20 Adam Lallana 13 977 3 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED constructing in front of back four 21 Ander Herrera 3 173 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED • High defensive line; ‘sweeper’ 468 Max. 640 v Rubin (a) 461 Max. 570 v Midtjylland (h) 21 Lucas 7 335 • Patient build-up play; good links 25 1 45 De Gea covering space behind Min. 313 v Man. United (a) between lines Min. 321 v Liverpool (a) • Centre-backs supported by 23 Emre Can 14 1183 1 1 27 2 180 PASSING ACCURACY • Aggressive, dynamic approach PASSING ACCURACY screening midfielder Carrick 24 11 525 88% Max. 93% v Man.United (h) with high pressing in 28 Morgan Schneiderlin 3 187 88% Max. 91% v Liverpool (a) • Patient build-up play from the back 32 2 11 Min. 81% v Sevilla (n) opposition half 31 2 31 Min. 84% v Midtjylland (a) through midfield • Full-backs provide attacking • Attack using width provided by 33 Jordon Ibe 6 414 1 35 3 266 1 threat (Clyne) and good crosses full-backs; wide attackers 46 3 183 • Swift transitions from defence to 44 2 16 PLAYER STATISTICS move inside 53 João Carlos 1 10 PLAYER STATISTICS attack with excellent vertical and FORWARDS SHOTS T OT G • Rapid transitions from attack 68 Pedro Chirivella 1 62 diagonal passes to defence SHOTS T OT G • Players with pace and ability 7 Memphis Depay 3 270 2 1 1 Memphis Depay 13 6 2 • Pace and athleticism FORWARDS 1 Philippe Coutinho 41 14 2 to run with the ball 9 3 270 1 2 Jesse Lingard 11 1 0 (Martial, Lingard) (Coutinho, Clyne) • Good crosses; aerial power 9 7 222 1 2 Daniel Sturridge 25 14 3 39 Marcus Rashford 3 225 2 3 Marcus Rashford 9 3 2 • Fluid, flexible in attack with of Fellaini 10 Philippe Coutinho 13 958 2 2 3 Roberto Firmino 24 7 1 players changing positions Unused substitutes: Ro-Shaun Williams, James Weir, William Keane T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Youthful promise of Rashford, with App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 15 Daniel Sturridge 8 480 3 1 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Impressive team spirit and PASSES A C % debut goals against Midtjylland determination – most evident in 27 12 597 2 2 1 Michael Carrick 230 213 93 PASSES A C % fightback against Dortmund 28 2 78 1 Emre Can 759 681 90 2 Daley Blind 209 185 89 Unused substitutes: , Connor Randall, 2 Nathaniel Clyne 560 473 84 3 Juan Mata 156 137 88 Daniel Cleary, Oluwaseyi Ojo App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 3 James Milner 549 471 86 A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

54 55 COACH COACH Unai Emery Mircea Lucescu SEVILLA FC Born: 03/11/1971, FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK Born: 29/07/1945, Hondarribia (ESP) Bucharest (ROU) Spain Nationality: Spanish Ukraine Nationality: Romanian Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in UEFA Europa League/ UEFA Cup:* 73 UEFA Cup:* 57 Matches in European club Matches in European club competition:** 101 competition:** 214 Head coach from/to: Head coach from/to: 14/01/2013 to 13/06/2016 05/05/2004 to 21/05/2016

*Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 31 30

3 6 5 44 25 2 33 31 4 15 6 23 20 17 19

11 74 28 9 19

Sevilla Shakhtar Donetsk

GROUP STAGE (UEFA Champions League) ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE (UEFA Champions League) ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL MGB JUV MC MC MGB JUV MOL MOL BSL BSL ATH ATH SHK SHK LIV RM PSG MAL MAL RM PSG SCH SCH AND AND BRA BRA SEV SEV W 3-0 L 2-0 L 2-1 L 1-3 L 4-2 W 1-0 W 3-0 L 1-0 D 0-0 W 3-0 W 1-2 L 1-2* D 2-2 W 3-1 W 3-1 L 4-0 L 0-3 L 1-0 W 4-0 L 3-4 L 2-0 D 0-0 W 0-3 W 3-1 W 0-1 W 1-2 W 4-0 D 2-2 L 3-1

Dark green = home, light green = away, orange = final; see page 5 for full club names *Won 5-4 on pens Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 1 21 23 1 23 Bohdan Sarnavskiy 19 21 2 31 David Soria 9 840 17 113 42 30 Andriy Pyatov 8 720 16 87 33 (13 per match) (5 per match) Sent off: N’Zonzi (2 own goals) (11 per match) (4 per match) Sent off: DEFENDERS 32 Anton Kanibolotskiy Kucher (twice) 2 Benoît Trémoulinas 4 265 TIME SCORED DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 3 7 648 1 0 4 3 2 5 Olexandr Kucher 6 530 1 5 4 3 2 2 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 Timothée Kolodziejczak 7 582 1 18 Ivan Ordets 3 182 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 6 Daniel Carriço 6 451 (Minutes) 31 Ismaily 8 720 (Minutes) 18 Sergio Escudero 7 535 33 Darijo Srna 8 720 1 2 SUBSTITUTIONS 26/27 (Including 1 double substitution) SUBSTITUTIONS 24/24 (Including 2 double substitutions) 23 Coke 7 488 2 1 38 Serhiy Kryvtsov 2 91 0 12 5 2 1 0 0 3 16 4 0 0 25 Mariano Ferreira 6 550 1 1 1 0 0 5 44 Yaroslav Rakitskiy 7 630 1 1 0 0 0 1 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 40 Federico Fazio 2 168 (Minutes) MIDFIELDERS (Minutes) 41 Diogo Figueiras 1 10 6 Taras Stepanenko 7 630 1 MIDFIELDERS AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 7 Wellington Nem 5 55 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 4 Grzegorz Krychowiak 6 509 2 POSSESSION • 1-4-2-3-1 9 Dentinho 5 38 1 POSSESSION • 1-4-2-3-1 7 Michael Krohn-Dehli 7 382 52% Max. 66% v Molde (h) • Excellent passing game with 10 5 65 1 48% Max. 53% v Sevilla (a) • Full-backs bring attacking impetus Banega setting tone with his and crossing ability (Srna) Min. 45% v Athletic (a) 11 Marlos 8 645 2 3 Min. 42% v Anderlecht (a) 8 7 263 1 technique and vision • Rapid transitions from attack to 10 José Antonio Reyes 2 145 2 PASSES ATTEMPTED • Overlapping full-backs provide 17 Maksym Malyshev 8 719 PASSES ATTEMPTED defence and vice versa; strong on 441 Max. 653 v Molde (h) 394 Max. 462 v Braga (h) 14 Sebastián Cristóforo 6 305 attacking threat and good 28 Taison 8 611 1 3 counterattack Min. 299 v Athletic (a) movement (Mariano Ferreira) Min. 328 v Braga (a) • Centre-back with good passing 15 Steven N'Zonzi 7 657 74 Viktor Kovalenko 8 712 2 2 PASSING ACCURACY • Strong midfielders with PASSING ACCURACY ability in Rakitskiy 19 Éver Banega 8 703 1 85% Max. 90% v Basel (h) presence and authority in N’Zonzi FORWARDS 87% Max. 90% v Sevilla (a) • Fast, technically strong individuals 20 Vitolo 7 634 1 4 Min. 74% v Liverpool (n) and Krychowiak 19 Facundo Ferreyra 6 539 2 1 Min. 83% v Anderlecht (a) (Marlos); attacking power in 1v1s • Press opposition ball carrier • Good links between lines; link-up 22 Yevhen Konoplyanka 6 273 to regain possession as fast 21 Olexandr Gladkiy 1 90 play between strikers when in FORWARDS PLAYER STATISTICS as possible 22 Eduardo 8 216 3 PLAYER STATISTICS possession 9 Kevin Gameiro 9 674 8 2 SHOTS T OT G • Ability to attack through 41 Andriy Boryachuk 1 1 SHOTS T OT G • Excellent passing game and ability middle and from wings; clever to pick final pass 24 4 157 2 1 Kevin Gameiro 25 14 8 combination play Unused substitutes: Vyacheslav Shevchuk, Vasyl Kobin, 1 Taison 16 4 1 • High pressing; apply pressure Andrii Korobenko Unused substitutes: Nicolás Pareja, Juan Muñoz 2 Éver Banega 12 3 0 • Goal threat and intelligent running App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 2 Viktor Kovalenko 10 5 2 immediately after losing ball App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 3 Steven N'Zonzi 10 1 0 of Gameiro 3 Marlos 10 4 2 • Well-organised at set pieces, with • Counterattacking ability; rapid aerial threat in opposition box T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals transitions from defence to attack; T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Determination and resilience; vast PASSES A C % ‘killer’ passes PASSES A C % European experience embodied by • Well-organised in defence and at leader Srna 1 Éver Banega 543 469 86 set pieces 1 Darijo Srna 367 312 85 2 Steven N'Zonzi 349 301 86 • Impressive experience and 2 Yaroslav Rakitskiy 320 271 85 3 T Kolodziejczak 334 302 90 composure under pressure; 3 Olexandr Kucher 312 284 91 winning mentality A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

56 57 COACH COACH Zdeněk Ščasný Mauricio AC SPARTA PRAHA Born: 09/08/1957, TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR FC Pochettino Brno (CZE) Born: 02/03/1972, Czech Republic Nationality: Czech England Murphy (ARG) Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Nationality: Argentinian UEFA Cup:* 19 Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in European club UEFA Cup:* 18 competition:** 28 Matches in European club Head coach since: competition:** 20 16/04/2015 Head coach since: 27/05/2014 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 35 1 4 27 25 5 26

16 15 33 11 8 16 9 8 23 20 23 11 7 30 21

Sparta Praha Tottenham

GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL AT APO SCH SCH AT APO KRA KRA LAZ LAZ VIL VIL QAR MON AND AND QAR MON FIO FIO DOR DOR D 1-1 W 2-0 D 2-2 D 1-1 W 1-0 W 1-3 W 1-0 W 0-3 D 1-1 W 0-3 L 2-1 L 2-4 W 3-1 D 1-1 L 2-1 W 2-1 W 0-1 W 4-1 D 1-1 W 3-0 L 3-0 L 1-2

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 1 Marek Štěch 1 90 22 35 1 1 9 810 23 15 0 27 Miroslav Miller 21 156 63 13 1 90 17 112 48 (13 per match) (5 per match) Sent off: (1 own goal) (11 per match) (5 per match) 35 David Bičík 11 990 Ladislav Krejčí 31 Luke McGee DEFENDERS TIME SCORED DEFENDERS TIME SCORED 5 Jakub Brabec 10 900 3 1 2 6 2 3 Danny Rose 3 257 4 3 2 5 4 1 5 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 15 Radoslav Kováč 2 152 4 Toby Alderweireld 10 900 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 17 Markus Steinhöfer 1 1 (Minutes) 5 4 360 (Minutes) 25 Mario Holek 9 574 15 9 669 SUBSTITUTIONS 29/36 (Including 2 double substitutions) SUBSTITUTIONS 30/30 (Including 3 double substitutions) 26 Costa 11 990 16 10 900 1 1 6 16 3 0 0 1 12 11 1 0 0 29 Matěj Hybš 4 360 0 1 0 2 27 6 540 1 0 1 3 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 MIDFIELDERS (Minutes) 33 Ben Davies 8 643 1 (Minutes) 6 Lukáš Vácha 6 504 MIDFIELDERS 8 Marek Matějovský 10 624 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 6 Nabil Bentaleb 2 54 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 9 Bořek Dočkal 12 1029 2 5 POSSESSION • 1-4-3-3; also played 1-3-5-2, 8 6 503 1 POSSESSION • 4-2-3-1 11 Lukáš Mareček 12 986 1 1 48% Max. 58% v Asteras (a) morphing to 1-5-3-2 when 11 Erik Lamela 8 572 6 53% Max. 64% v Anderlecht (a) • Excellent goalkeeper in Lloris defending • Game plan built around high press, 14 Martin Frýdek 9 810 2 3 Min. 38% v Lazio (a) 14 Clinton Njié 5 195 Min. 34% v Dortmund (a) • Tactical flexibility and intelligence; led from front by Kane 16 Ondřej Zahustel 4 360 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED impressive ability to change shape 17 3 168 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED • Athletic players able to sustain 379 Max. 545 v Villarreal (h) 501 Max. 716 v Dortmund (h) 20 Francis Litsingi 1 5 • Deep defensive block; good 19 Mousa Dembélé 4 159 1 pressing game Min. 253 v Schalke (h) discipline and organisation Min. 320 v Dortmund (a) • Alderweireld a key figure at heart 22 Josef Hušbauer 2 67 20 9 627 2 PASSING ACCURACY led by Brabec, Holek PASSING ACCURACY of defence 23 Ladislav Krejčí 10 975 2 2 82% Max. 90% v Villarreall (h) • Midfield trio rotate; holding 22 6 415 1 87% Max. 90% v Dortmund (a) • Screening midfielder Dier 24 Petr Jiráček 5 354 Min. 73% v Lazio (a) midfielder always stays back 23 7 574 1 1 Min. 82% v Fiorentina (h) drops back and links up with to support centre-backs centre-backs 25 Joshua Onomah 7 234 FORWARDS • Strong in the air, notably when • Good variety of passes, with 7 Kehinde Fatai 12 721 3 1 PLAYER STATISTICS defending set pieces 28 Tom Carroll 7 353 1 PLAYER STATISTICS game-opening diagonal balls • Rapid transitions to attack with from Alderweireld 18 Tiémoko Konaté 10 398 3 SHOTS T OT G 29 2 17 SHOTS T OT G three or four players breaking • Energy and awareness of 1 Bořek Dočkal 34 11 2 21 David Lafata 9 558 5 2 • Midfielder Dočkal a key provider FORWARDS 1 Son Heung-Min 16 5 3 midfielder Alli; ability to link with 30 Lukáš Juliš 9 428 3 2 2 Ladislav Krejčí 16 8 2 of assists 7 Son Heung-Min 6 504 3 4 2 15 8 2 striker and score goals • Attack with width (Krejčí); • Effective use of flanks with Unused substitutes: Ondrej Mazuch, Milan Kadlec, 3 David Lafata 15 7 5 10 Harry Kane 7 358 2 1 3 Christian Eriksen 12 7 1 David Březina, Daniel Köstl, Michal Breznaník, Martin Matoušek, effective use of full-backs full-backs (Trippier, Davies, Rose) 3 Lukáš Juliš 15 8 3 Unused substitutes: , Federico Fazio, Cameron Carter-Vickers Michal Sácek, Marco Paixão • Hard-working players with 3 Erik Lamela 12 7 6 pushed high up pitch App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals impressive team spirit T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Creativity and goals from wide • Defend from the front, with forward Lamela PASSES A C % forwards willing to press hard PASSES A C % • Hard-working, dangerous 1 Bořek Dočkal 458 371 81 1 Toby Alderweireld 508 439 86 centre-forward in Kane 2 Costa 391 328 84 2 Kieran Trippier 389 334 86 3 Lukáš Mareček 378 321 85 3 Eric Dier 373 341 91

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

58 59 COACH COACH Gary Neville Marcelino VALENCIA CF Born:18/02/1975, VILLARREAL CF Born: 14/08/1965, Bury (ENG) Villaviciosa (ESP) Spain Nationality: English Spain Nationality: Spanish Matches in UEFA Europa League/ Matches in UEFA Europa League/ UEFA Cup:* 4 UEFA Cup:* 22 Matches in European Matches in European club competition:** 5 club competition:** 26 Head coach from/to: Head coach since: 02/12/2015 to 30/03/2016 14/01/2013 Nuno Espírito Santo was coach in *Group stage to final the UEFA Champions League **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying TEAM SHAPE TEAM SHAPE 25 13

5 3 24 19 14 6 2 21 18 12 4 11 10

17 11 19 18 7 9 17

Valencia Villarreal

GROUP STAGE (UEFA Champions League) ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL GROUP STAGE ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS FINAL ZEN LYO GNT GNT ZEN LYO RW RW ATH ATH RW PLZ DMI DMI RW PLZ NAP NAP LEV LEV SPP SPP LIV LIV L 2-3 W 0-1 W 2-1 L 1-0 L 2-0 L 0-2 W 6-0 W 0-4 L 1-0 W 2-1* L 2-1 W 1-0 W 4-0 W 1-2 W 1-0 D 3-3 W 1-0 D 1-1 W 2-0 D 0-0 W 2-1 W 2-4 W 1-0 L 3-0

Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names *lost on away goals Dark green = home, light green = away; see page 5 for full club names App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS App Mins G A TEAM STATISTICS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS GOALKEEPERS PLAYERS USED GOALS SCORED ATTEMPTS ON TARGET CARDS 24 Jaume Doménech 21 8 0 1 Sergio Asenjo 3 270 25 22 1 25 4 360 12 45 24 13 Alphonse Aréola 5 450 23 156 61 (11 per match) (6 per match) (1 own goal) (11 per match) (4 per match) Sent off: DEFENDERS 25 Mariano Barbosa 6 540 Victor Ruiz 2 João Cancelo 1 76 TIME SCORED 31 Aitor TIME SCORED 3 Rúben Vezo 3 270 1 1 2 2 2 2 DEFENDERS 1 4 5 3 3 0 1 0 0 0 3 1 4 2 0 0 4 Santos 2 180 1 2 Mario Gaspar 10 867 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 45+ 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 5 3 270 (Minutes) 3 Bojan Jokić 4 313 (Minutes) 14 José Gayà 4 316 1 5 5 374 SUBSTITUTIONS 12/12 (No double substitutions) SUBSTITUTIONS 41/42 (Including 4 double substitutions) 19 Antonio Barragán 3 194 6 Víctor Ruiz 14 1241 1 0 5 5 0 0 0 1 19 13 0 0 0 23 Aymen Abdennour 1 90 0 0 0 2 11 Jaume Costa 8 650 0 0 2 6 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 1-15 16-30 31-45 Half-time 46-60 61-75 76-90 90+ 91-105 106-120 36 Lato 1 44 (Minutes) 22 10 887 2 (Minutes) MIDFIELDERS 23 Daniele Bonera 2 107 8 Sofiane Feghouli 3 110 1 1 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 24 Eric Bailly 7 616 1 AVERAGES KEY FEATURES 27 Adrian Marín 2 60 10 Daniel Parejo 3 163 1 POSSESSION • 1-4-4-2, with 1-4-1-4-1 when POSSESSION • 1-4-4-2 12 Danilo 4 360 1 51% Max. 57% v Rapid Wien (a) attacking; also 1-4-3-3 MIDFIELDERS 48% Max. 67% v Dinamo Minsk (h) • Defend in a compact block • High defensive line, with • High defensive line, with 18 Javi Fuego 4 268 1 Min. 44% v Athletic (a) 4 Tomás Pina 7 464 1 Min. 35% v Napoli (a) goalkeeper Ryan covering goalkeeper covering the space 21 André Gomes 3 171 1 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED space behind 7 Samu 6 326 1 PASSES ATTEMPTED behind defence 397 Max. 563 v Rapid Wien (a) 411 Max. 743 v Dinamo Minsk (h) 28 Tropi 1 11 • Effective use of attacking 8 Jonathan dos Santos 10 601 1 • High pressing; work hard to win ball Min. 219 v Athletic (a) full-backs in Barragán, Gayà Min. 282 v Napoli (a) back once lost in opposition half FORWARDS 18 Denis Suárez 13 966 1 6 PASSING ACCURACY • Constructive build-up and assured PASSING ACCURACY • Influential individuals, with strong 7 Álvaro Negredo 4 335 1 1 82% Max. 87% v Rapid Wien (a) combination play 19 Samuel Castillejo 13 764 1 85% Max. 90% v Dinamo Minsk (h) technique and dribbling skills; 9 Paco Alcácer 2 15 Min. 59% v Athletic (a) • Rapid transitions, with good 21 Bruno Soriano 12 1080 2 1 Min. 76% v Plzen (a) good in 1v1 counterattacks; midfielders André • Excellent passing game with 11 Pablo Piatti 3 250 1 2 26 Nahuel Leiva 6 201 1 PLAYER STATISTICS Gomes, Parejo driving upfield PLAYER STATISTICS patient build-up through midfield 17 Rodrigo 4 272 2 • Screening midfielder linking 28 1 1 (Soriano) 22 Santi Mina 2 180 3 3 SHOTS T OT G up with centre-backs FORWARDS SHOTS T OT G • Fast transitions, such as for Adrián • Midfield pressing, with immediate López semi-final goal v Liverpool 1 Rodrigo 9 5 2 1 36 10 2 37 Rafael Mir 1 25 pressure after loss of possession 9 Roberto Soldado 13 1037 2 3 • Dangerous in attacking set pieces 2 Álvaro Negredo 7 3 1 2 Cédric Bakambu 31 20 9 Unused substitutes: Wilfried Zahibo, , • Strong in the air, with dangerous 10 Léo Baptistão 6 307 2 • Good wing play and crosses , Carlos Soler 3 Pablo Piatti 5 1 1 set pieces 14 Manu Trigueros 12 619 1 3 Denis Suárez 14 6 1 (Suárez) App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists • Use of long ball to centre-forward • Nine-goal Bakambu combining T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals Negredo 17 Cédric Bakambu 13 942 9 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals cleverly with Soldado in attack PASSES A C % • Good link-up play between 20 Adrián López 7 158 1 PASSES A C % forwards 1 Rúben Vezo 158 143 91 Unused substitute: Pablo Íñiguez 1 Víctor Ruiz 696 626 90 App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists 2 Javi Fuego 155 126 81 2 Bruno Soriano 678 626 92 3 Shkodran Mustafi 150 124 83 3 Jonathan dos Santos 419 372 89

A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

60 61 Roll of honour 2016 Sevilla FC 2015 Sevilla FC 2014 Sevilla FC 2013 Chelsea FC 2012 Club Atlético de Madrid 2011 FC Porto 2010 Club Atlético de Madrid 2009 FC Shakhtar Donetsk 2008 FC Zenit 2007 Sevilla FC 2006 Sevilla FC 2005 PFC CSKA Moskva 2004 Valencia CF 2003 FC Porto 2002 2001 Liverpool FC 2000 Galatasaray AŞ 1999 Parma FC 1998 FC Internazionale Milano 1997 FC Schalke 04 1996 FC Bayern München 1995 Parma FC 1994 FC Internazionale Milano 1993 Juventus 1992 AFC Ajax 1991 FC Internazionale Milano 1990 Juventus 1989 SSC Napoli 1988 Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1987 IFK Göteborg Technical report editorial Ioan Lupescu, Simon Hart 1986 Real Madrid CF Technical assessor Sir Alex Ferguson (UEFA coaching ambassador) 1985 Real Madrid CF Technical observers Jacques Crevoisier, Jean-Francois Domergue, Dušan Fitzel, 1984 Tottenham Hotspur FC Stefan Majewski, Ginés Meléndez, Peter Rudbæk, Willibald Ruttensteiner, Ghenadie Scurtul, László Szalai 1983 RSC Anderlecht Managing editor Michael Harrold 1982 IFK Göteborg Design James Willsher, Tom Radford, Daniel Nutter, Oliver Meikle 1981 Ipswich Town FC Production manager Aleksandra Sersniova 1980 Eintracht Data services Andy Lockwood, Rob Esteva 1979 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach Administration/coordination Stéphanie Tétaz, David Gough 1978 PSV Eindhoven Contributors Rebecca Hopkins, Rory Page, Nick Spencer 1977 Juventus Photography Getty Images, UEFA 1976 Liverpool FC Translation Doris Egger, Zouhair El Fehri, Alexandra Gigant, Helene Kubasky, Cécile Pierreclos, Anna Simon, Sandra Wisniewski, Frédéric Wyler 1975 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach Designed and produced by TwelfthMan on behalf of UEFA 1974 Feyenoord 1973 Liverpool FC ©UEFA 2016. All rights reserved. The UEFA word, the UEFA Europa League logo and trophy are protected by trade marks and/or copyright of UEFA. No use for commercial 1972 Tottenham Hotspur FC purposes may be made of such trade marks.

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