2018/19 UEFA Europa League Technical Report

Group C Group D

FC Zenit SK Slavia Praha FC Girondins FC København GNK Dinamo Fenerbahçe SK FC Spartak RSC Anderlecht (ZEN) (SLP) de Bordeaux (FCK) Zagreb (FEN) Trnava (AND) (BOR) (DZ) (TRN) Group E Group F

(From left): Savvas Constantinou, Ghenadie Scurtul, Jarmo Matikainen, Stefan Majewski, Thomas Schaaf and Milenko Ačimovič from the UEFA Technical Observers Group, and Frank Ludolph, UEFA’s head of football education services, at the final Arsenal FC Sporting FC Vorskla Qarabağ FK Real Betis Olympiacos FC AC Milan F91 Dudelange (ARS) Clube de Portugal Poltava (QAR) Balompié (O LY ) (ACM) (DUD) (SCP) (VOR) (BTS) Association (CFA) and a member of the Jira Group G Group H Panel, provided detailed insight into how Chelsea and Arsenal had made it an all- OBSERVING English final, and Stefan Majewski, a former Poland international and current sport director of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), provided some equally illuminating Villarreal CF SK Rapid Wien Rangers FC FC Spartak Eintracht SS Lazio Apollon Olympique THE TACTICAL (VLR) (RPD) (RAN) Moskva Frankfurt (LAZ) Limassol FC de Marseille analysis of Slavia Praha’s captivating THE TACTICAL (SPM) (EIN) (APO) (OM) charge to the quarter-finals. Ghenadie Scurtul, technical consultant Group I Group J TRENDS to the Kazakhstan Football Federation TRENDS (KFF), highlighted key tactical influences in Chelsea’s final victory, while Jarmo UEFA’s Technical Observers Group met after Matikainen, head coach of the Estonia women’s national team and head of the final in Baku to analyse the season’s talking women’s football development in Estonia, supplied detailed analysis of how the KRC Genk Malmö FF Beşiktaş JK Sarpsborg 08 FF Sevilla FC FC Krasnodar R. Standard de Liège Akhisarspor points and key trends, with the aim of offering (GNK) (MAL) (BJK) (SAR) (SEV) (KRA) (STD) Belediyespor final was won, in addition to fascinating (AKH) insight to coaches across the continent observations regarding the tournament as a whole. The former Slovenia and Crvena Group K Group L This review of the 2018/19 UEFA Europa and their reports and reflections provided zvezda midfielder Milenko Ačimovič also League season serves as a record of a the substance for the discussion that took contributed intriguing perspectives on campaign that spanned 205 matches, place when they met together in Baku on another of the tournament revelations, involving 56 clubs from 27 nations, from the morning after the final between Chelsea Eintracht Frankfurt. the opening of the group stage in and Arsenal. Cristian Chivu, Jerzy Engel, Hans Leitert, September 2018 and concluding with Thomas Schaaf, who guided Werder Ginés Meléndez, Mixu Paatelainen and FC Dynamo Kyiv Stade FC Astana FK Jablonec Chelsea FC FC BATE Borisov Vidi FC PAOK FC the final at the Olympic Stadium in Baku Bremen to the final of the UEFA Cup in 2009, Willibald Ruttensteiner also observed (DK) Rennais FC (AST) (JAB) (CHE) (BTE) (VID) (PAO) (REN) on 29 May 2019. It is a report offering chaired the review panel and led productive individual matches and, while not present factual and statistical information about discussions with a group of experienced in Baku, their thoughts contributed to this Clubs joined from the UEFA Champions League the tenth edition of the UEFA Europa coaches on the trends observed over the report, which is intended to provide coaches League, with the aim of providing a deeper course of the tournament, analysing the across the continent with useful material analysis of the action on the field of play tactical approaches of the coaches and for their own development. It will be made through the interpretations of UEFA’s discussing the key moments on the road to available to members of the coaching family Technical Observers Group. Baku, and in the final. throughout Europe and, hopefully, will help

This small group of coaches delivered Savvas Constantinou, the former Cyprus development coaches keep up to date with Club Brugge KV FC Internazionale SSC Napoli Galatasaray AŞ SL Benfica FC Shakhtar FC Viktoria Plzeň Valencia CF their observations and analysis on every international goalkeeper and current the prevailing styles and strategies at the (BRU) Milano (NAP) (GAL) (SLB) Donetsk (PLZ) (VAL) match from the round of 16 onwards technical director of the Cyprus Football top level of the club game. (INT) (SHK)

4 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 5 XXXXXXXXSEASON OVERVIEW

Teams from 27 nations took part from the THE ROAD TO group stage onwards, GROUP STAGE Eintracht Frankfurt were back in the UEFA to make it through, but an 81st-minute but only one was Europa League for the first time since penalty from Olympiacos captain Kostas represented in the final reaching the last 32 in 2013/14, but the Fortounis proved decisive as Milan dropped 9 draw did not appear favourable to their to third, ahead of the first Luxembourgish Nine clubs made as two London rivals new coach Adi Hütter, who had arrived after club in the group stage, F91 Dudelange. their group stage advanced to the shores leading Young Boys to their first Swiss title Arsenal made it through Group E debut, with F91 BAKU in 32 years. A trip to the Stade Vélodrome, unbeaten, winning five and drawing Dudelange the first of the Caspian Sea BAKU the home of 2018 runners-up Marseille, was only once, 0-0 at home to Sporting CP, from Luxembourg a tricky first test for the Bundesliga side, but who joined them in the knockout stages. one that they passed with flying colours, Together with Betis, the Gunners conceded a late 2-1 win with only ten men setting a fewer than any other side in the group positive tone for their campaign. Five more stage, their respective goals breached only victories followed – including home and away twice. London neighbours Chelsea shipped wins against Lazio – as the German side flew only one more, their record of five wins and 5 into the last 32. Joining them with a 100% a draw securing first place in Group L ahead Salzburg won their record were Salzburg, who topped Group of BATE Borisov, ensuring both English group for a fifth B ahead of Celtic, Leipzig and Rosenborg, clubs successfully cleared the first hurdle of time, on their eighth appearance scoring the same number of goals as what would prove to be five as they would – both records Frankfurt – 17 – and conceding only six. ultimately progress together to Baku. It was also a successful group stage Elsewhere, Dynamo Kyiv edged out for the Spanish contingent, with all three Rennes in Group K and Dinamo Zagreb finishing first in their sections. Sevilla dropped just four points, finishing ahead turned on the style in their 6-0 competition of Fenerbahçe in Group D in spite of a record-equalling win over Akhisar, Roque 1-0 defeat to Slovakian side Spartak Mesa’s opening goal the perfect conclusion Trnava on the final day that condemned to a slick exchange of passes. Though winless Anderlecht to bottom spot. they were beaten by Standard Liège and Genk kept the flag flying for Belgian Krasnodar, they topped their group on goal football by topping Group I ahead of difference ahead of the Russian club and Malmö, while Zenit emerged triumphant scored more goals than any other side in Group C, Slavia Praha’s closing win with 18. Both Villarreal and Real Betis came over the already-qualified Russian side through tough sections without losing, ensuring they pipped Bordeaux to second. with AC Milan the eminent victims in Betis’ Bayer Leverkusen flexed their muscles group as Olympiacos snatched second to lead Zürich through from Group A. place thanks to a dramatic 3-1 matchday six win at the Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis.

The Rossoneri needed to avoid defeat in Rennes and Dynamo Piraeus by more than a one-goal margin Kyiv took the top two spots in Group K

Antonio Sanabria of Real Betis (centre left) celebrates scoring against Dudelange; Genk winger Leandro Trossard on the ball against Malmö (above)

6 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 7 SEASON OVERVIEW

ROUND OF 32 Eight sides moved across from the UEFA Champions League to join the 24 clubs qualifying from the group stage in February’s round of 32. Intriguing ties were provided by the draw with Lazio facing Sevilla and Frankfurt paired with Shakhtar Donetsk, who had already beaten their Bundesliga rivals Hoffenheim in the UEFA Champions League group stage. A 2-2 draw in Ukraine was the first time Frankfurt had failed to win all season in the UEFA Europa League, but with their unbeaten record still intact, their attacking triumvirate of Sébastien Haller, Luka Jović and Ante Rebić were all on target in a convincing 4-1 second-leg success. The participation of Frankfurt’s Bundesliga fellows Bayer Leverkusen ended with a 1-1 draw at home to Krasnodar, the Russian side prevailing on away goals thanks to a late free-kick from 19-year-old Magomed Suleymanov. Internazionale eased past Rapid Wien 5-0 on aggregate to extend their unbeaten home record against Austrian opponents to eight matches, and they were joined in the last 16 by Napoli, who completed a 5-1 aggregate win over Zürich with goals from Simone Verdi and Adam Ounas in Naples. England’s two remaining sides both progressed, although Arsenal had to recover from a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Belarus to oust BATE Borisov back in Krasnodar’s Viktor Claesson London. Chelsea were also in the English and Leverkusen’s Mitchell Weiser (above) jump for the ball; Rapid Wien fans (right) put on a show against Inter; Sevilla players (above right) celebrate knocking out Lazio capital for their second leg, Olivier Giroud seven at home in UEFA club competition scoring for a fifth straight UEFA Europa home matches in 2018/19 by beating Lazio 1 League fixture in a 3-0 defeat of Malmö that 2-0, completing a 3-0 aggregate victory. Dinamo Zagreb became completed a 5-1 aggregate win. Dinamo Valencia beat Celtic by the same scoreline the first Croatian club to play in the round of 32 Zagreb recovered from losing the first leg over two legs while Villarreal edged out 2-1 to beat Viktoria Plzeň 4-2, while there Sporting CP 2-1 on aggregate, benefiting was also a comeback win for Salzburg who, from their 1-0 first-leg win in Lisbon. having gone down 2-1 to Club Brugge in Elsewhere, Zenit recovered from a 1-0 loss Belgium, struck four without reply in Austria. in Turkey to defeat Fenerbahçe 3-1 in Saint One of Spain’s four remaining participants Petersburg, Benfica successfully defended 5 was eliminated in dramatic fashion, Betis their 2-1 win at Galatasaray with a goalless Olivier Giroud’s second-leg unable to build on a 3-3 draw at Rennes draw in the return, Dynamo Kyiv edged out goal against Malmö was the as they lost the Seville return leg 3-1. That Olympiacos 1-0 in Ukraine and 3-2 overall, fifth straight match in which result came 24 hours after the Spanish city and Slavia Praha saved their best for the the Chelsea striker scored had celebrated a now customary victory second leg, coming from a goal behind to for Sevilla, who made it seven wins out of beat Genk 4-1 for the same aggregate victory.

8 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 9 SEASON OVERVIEW

ROUND OF 16 Slavia’s reward was a last-16 meeting with Extra time was also needed to separate Valencia also made it through against Sevilla and the Czech club, ranked 153rd Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb thanks to a Russian opponents, although they were 3-0 in UEFA’s club coefficients at the start of Jonas volley 19 minutes from time in the forced to work hard in both legs by the season compared to the Spaniards’ second leg in Lisbon that levelled the tie Krasnodar, who were somewhat unfortunate Chelsea and Napoli lofty sixth place, managed to keep the tie at 1-1. The Portuguese side made seven to come away from Mestalla with a 2-1 both equalled the biggest round alive after a frenetic first 90 minutes at the changes compared to their 1-0 defeat in the defeat. Their luck seemed to be turning of 16 first-leg win Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. The efforts Croatian capital, but it was the impact of as they led the return leg 1-0 and were set of goalkeeper Ondřej Kolář and his defence, their substitutes that made an even greater to progress on away goals until Gonçalo who coped well with Sevilla’s high press, difference in the additional 30 minutes, Guedes broke their hearts in the third minute ensured an upset was still on the cards Jonas setting up Alex Grimaldo for the third of stoppage time, rewarding the visitors for when the teams travelled to Prague a week to finish off a Dinamo side reduced to ten a valiant response. Valencia may have left it later level at 2-2. men shortly after Ferro had put the hosts in late, but their ability to keep their composure 10 Jindřích Trpišovský was bold in his team front on aggregate. and the gamble of pushing Mouctar Spain and England selection for the second leg and it paid off Chelsea had a much easier passage Diakhaby up front late on paid dividends. have had at least as his side took the lead at the Eden Arena. to the last eight, Olivier Giroud scoring a Napoli risked throwing away a 3-0 first-leg one club in the last The teams then exchanged penalties before hat-trick in Kyiv to move on to nine goals for win over Salzburg in Austria, which had seen 16 in all ten seasons Munir El Haddadi ensured the game went the season as Maurizio Sarri’s side cruised many a stirring performance in Salzburg’s to extra time with a repeat of the first-leg to a 5-0 victory at Dynamo, completing an march to the 2017/18 semi-finals. This was result. Franco Vázquez’s third away goal 8-0 aggregate win. Meanwhile, Villarreal no exception as, in scenes reminiscent of for Sevilla meant Slavia had to score twice, made unexpectedly light work of Zenit, their remarkable comeback to beat Lazio in and, in fairy-tale fashion, they levelled following up a 3-1 first-leg victory in the previous year’s quarter-finals, Salzburg towards the end of the first half of extra Russia with an extension of their perfect responded to an Arkadiusz Milik opener time through Mick van Buren and their record at home to Russian opponents that had opened up a 4-0 aggregate lead dynamic, attacking play was rewarded as with a fifth win, former Chelsea defender to fall just one goal short of levelling the tie. they scrambled a winner in the 119th minute Branislav Ivanović’s late goal only a There would be only one Serie A side in the thanks to Simon Kjær’s own goal. consolation in a 2-1 defeat for Zenit. quarter-finals for the second year running, however, as Napoli’s league rivals Inter felt the full force of a Frankfurt side backed by a substantial travelling support at San Siro, losing 1-0 on the night and on aggregate with Luka Jović’s sixth-minute strike making the difference. The Nerazzurri perhaps had one eye on the future, though, as they gave Simone Esposito his debut at the age of 16 years and 256 days, making him the fifth youngest player to appear in the UEFA Europa League. Finally, Arsenal once again had to recover from a first-leg defeat, although their 3-1 loss against Rennes in Brittany – the Gunners’ first defeat away to a French club – left them with a tall order back in London. Alex Iwobi had given Unai Emery’s side the lead in the away leg, but he was back on the bench in north London as Alexandre Lacazette led the line. Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang began the comeback just five minutes in at the Arsenal Stadium, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ first European goal ten minutes later giving the home side the advantage on away goals. As Rennes pushed for an away goal of their own, Emery did not panic but instead brought on Iwobi rather than making a defensive change. The Nigerian international’s Pizzi congratulates Jonas (left) for his goal that helped Benfica presence and energy disturbed Rennes’ beat Dinamo Zagreb; Slavia Praha dynamism and helped Arsenal run down keeper Ondřej Kolář jumps for joy the clock, with Aubameyang’s second of (above); Rennes fans roar on their team against Arsenal (top) the night sealing victory.

10 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 11 SEASON OVERVIEW

the Frankfurt Stadion a week later. In a meeting of the Eagles, home coach Adi Hütter shifted his entire team forward by 5 a good ten metres, making his intentions Benfica made abundantly clear. They pressed Benfica their record fifth high and wasted no time in getting the appearance in ball forward to their wingers and strikers, the last eight drawing first blood through Filip Kostić before the break. Sebastian Rode added a second midway through the second half, at which point Hütter’s men retreated. It was Benfica’s turn to attack and Frankfurt rode their luck, but held on to prolong their 1 journey towards Azerbaijan. Arsenal were the Their next opponents would be Chelsea, only quarter-finalists although Maurizio Sarri’s side almost who reached the same stage in squandered a 4-1 lead with a spirited 2017/18 Slavia fighting back to make it 4-3 on the night, a result that meant Chelsea equalled Atlético de Madrid’s competition record of 15 consecutive games unbeaten. Form was followed in the remaining two ties, Valencia completing a 5-1 aggregate win over Villarreal with a 2-0 triumph at home to set up a semi-final against Arsenal, who beat Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli 1-0 in Italy thanks to an Alexandre Lacazette free-kick.

Aaron Ramsey (above) puts Arsenal QUARTER-FINALS ahead at home to Napoli; Valencia’s After the first legs of the quarter-finals in Antonio Lato (right) April, it was already possible to get a good celebrates with Gonçalo Guedes indication of who might be moving to within after scoring against one step of Baku. Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Villarreal; Sebastian surprise package Slavia set them up nicely Rode’s crucial strike (far right) put for the return at Stamford Bridge, where Frankfurt through on the Blues had won five out of five in Europe away goals in 2018/19. Arsenal were in the driving seat of their tie with Napoli, with Aaron Ramsey’s last goal for the Gunners ahead of a summer switch to Juventus helping them establish a 2-0 home lead, while Valencia made the short trip home through the Comunidad Valenciana with a 3-1 win at their local rivals Villarreal. Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s campaign also appeared to be over as they fell to a 4-2 defeat at a João Félix-inspired Benfica after playing for 70 minutes with ten men following Evan N’Dicka’s early red card. Football is a source of fairy tales, however, and Eintracht delivered one at

12 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 13 SEASON OVERVIEW

SEMI-FINALS When Filip Kostić dribbled his way visiting fans wild with joy and anticipation, characteristically down the left wing but Martin Hinteregger – so robust and and delivered a cross for Luka Jović to reliable in his defensive duties – had his nod in, Eintracht Frankfurt’s European penalty blocked by Kepa Arrizabalaga, self-professed “madness” seemed set to and the pendulum slowly swung back in continue. It served more as a pungent sting Chelsea’s favour. Another miss by Frankfurt to Chelsea, however, and Pedro’s timely substitute Gonçalo Paciência allowed 9 equaliser on the stroke of half-time gave Eden Hazard to convert the hosts’ final Eintracht were the first German the Londoners the momentum for a second spot kick and take the Blues through to an club to reach the last four since half in which they squandered several all-English final. Hamburg in 2010 opportunities to take an away win back Arsenal laid the foundations for their home to Stamford Bridge. semi-final victory over Valencia with a 3-1 There was a sense that Chelsea may be first-leg win in London, thanks to Alexandre made to pay for their profligacy and even Lacazette’s fourth career double in the after Ruben Loftus-Cheek put them ahead UEFA Europa League. With the Spanish on home soil, thoughts of an easy passage side forced to score at least two on into the final crossed very few minds. After home soil, Unai Emery expected gaps to 1 Clockwise from left: Kepa Arrizabalaga Jović levelled, it was Frankfurt’s turn to present themselves in Spain and his team Chelsea’s shoot-out victory was Chelsea’s hero in the penalty dominate in the second half and only some exploited them ruthlessly with supreme against Eintracht was the first shoot-out; Makoto Hasebe of Frankfurt battles with Chelsea’s desperate defending took Chelsea through counterattacking quality and Pierre-Emerick time a semi-final was decided Olivier Giroud; Petr Čech clears his to extra time, where they just held on to Aubameyang in punishing form, supplying on penalties lines for Arsenal; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (centre right) celebrates force penalties. An early miss by César a hat-trick that earned Emery a place in his his first goal against Valencia Azpilicueta sent the several thousand fourth UEFA Europa League final.

14 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 15 THE FINAL

Hazard proves the difference for Chelsea Eden Hazard was at his mesmerising best in his final match for Chelsea, as the Blues proved too strong for Arsenal

Although it was an all-English final, the language of Shakespeare was the mother tongue of only one of the players on the field at kick-off, Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the presence of 15 different nationalities in the two starting XIs lending a truly global appeal to this UEFA Europa League final. Both clubs crossed the continent on their way to the Azerbaijan capital, almost 2,500 miles away from their homes in the English capital, and their preparations varied substantially: while Arsenal arrived four days ahead of kick-off, Chelsea landed in the early hours of Tuesday morning, less than 48 hours before the first sound of Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi’s whistle. That shrill echoed around the Baku Olympic Stadium at 23:00 local time, three hours ahead of the 20:00 kick-off time for the millions watching in the UK. The stadium exterior replicated the orange hue created by the setting sun earlier in the evening with Eden Hazard signed illuminated UEFA Europa League branding off from Stamford Bridge with a starring reminding everybody where European role in Baku football’s focal point was that night.

16 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 17 THE FINAL

The sight of five Chelsea players racing forward to receive a deep, angled punt immediately from kick-off proved to be a deceptive sign of attacking intent, however, as both sides soon slipped into a more cautious mode. “The first half was very much about control,” said Jarmo Matikainen, one of UEFA’s technical observers. “I also felt that, interestingly, both teams wanted to defend in the opponents’ half – stepping up but being very cautious.” The intent to win was therefore being suppressed by the fear of losing that first goal, with both sides trying to avoid mistakes and denying their opponents the chance to create opportunities. Nevertheless, Matikainen added that “while it was 0-0 in the first half, you felt there were goals in the game”. Aside from that initial Chelsea surge, Arsenal had looked the more enterprising earlier on, with Granit Xhaka conducting affairs from the heart of midfield and seeking out passes to launch attacks. They forged a good opportunity when Maitland-Niles’ cross was punched out to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the Gabon forward screwed his effort wide, while Xhaka took aim from distance and grazed the crossbar with an effort just shy of the half-hour mark. Arsenal’s right wing-back was impressing with his timing and tackling to ensure Eden Hazard was not given any time or space on the ball, with Chelsea using diagonal balls to bypass the Gunners’ high press. However, trying to keep the Belgian completely out of danger is a futile endeavour and as Hazard slowly started to get his foot on the ball with more frequency, Arsenal fans (above through the Arsenal rearguard with a quick Sarri had been able to rotate players in key the Blues began to gain authority to add left) show their support exchange of passes following a throw-in positions with greater regularity, without for their players, to their control. Off came the shackles too including Ainsley to break the deadlock early in the second altering the overall shape and structure of as Maurizio Sarri’s men started stringing Maitland-Niles (left), half. It was the goal the game had been his team. This kept Chelsea’s energy levels passes together and gradually the game but former hero Olivier crying out for. “The match needed a goal that little bit higher come the business end Giroud (above) opened started to open up. Hazard’s sumptuous the scoring for Chelsea to bring some movement into the game,” of the season, helping them also mount a back-heel to flick Jorginho’s pass into the said Thomas Schaaf. “And exactly that late surge into the top three of the Premier path of Emerson Palmieri saw the Italian happened. We saw a fast goal scored and League, securing UEFA Champions League sting the palms of Petr Čech, who had to thanks to that more movement happened football, while Arsenal ultimately slipped out get down low to make a fine one-handed on the pitch.” Generally, that movement was of the top four with three defeats in their save to deny Olivier Giroud as Chelsea a steady flow in the direction of Čech’s goal final five league fixtures. ended the half the stronger. A cutting edge as Arsenal succumbed to Chelsea’s superior “Chelsea have a longer substitutes’ was still lacking, though, and while Chelsea speed in possession as the Gunners’ energy bench,” Scurtul said. “The key positions posed a threat when they bypassed the first levels slowly started to ebb. are the same, but especially in the flank press and suddenly changed their tempo, The toils of a tiring, long season may also positions, the personnel were changed and they had to wait until after a half-time have left more of a mark on Arsenal than on that makes a big difference because these refreshment to reap their reward. Chelsea. For the Gunners, this was the 58th players are running a lot.” With Willian and “Chelsea had the ingredients that were competitive fixture of the campaign while Pedro Rodríguez trading places seamlessly, there in the first half, but now the final pass Chelsea, who reached a domestic League for example, Sarri did not need to alter the and the final move were there too,” said Cup final, took to the field for the 63rd time. shape of his team, just add freshness in key Matikainen, praising the way they tore Nevertheless, Ghenadie Scurtul felt that areas. And then there was Hazard.

18 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 19 THE FINAL

Eden Hazard is swamped by his team-mates after putting Chelsea 3-0 ahead from the penalty spot official, as tactical tweaks were delivered, Emery ditching his three-man defence in favour of a 4-2-3-1 with Iwobi and Aubameyang providing the width. It was a critical moment in the game as Arsenal sought a second goal that would have set up a grandstand finish. Hazard had other ideas, and, within minutes, he restored Chelsea’s three-goal lead, starting and finishing a move that effectively ended the game as a contest, and rubber-stamped his nomination as man of the match. “He was the engine in midfield, dragging the whole team to attack,” Majewski enthused. “Thanks to his actions and his creativity, and also his ideas; things he showed that no other player managed to Chelsea 4-1 Arsenal show. That was the big difference. If we look Wednesday 29 May 2019 at the individual players, then both teams Baku Olympic Stadium are comparable, but this one player made the big difference. He’s clever with the ball, Goals he played the right passes, and in my opinion 1-0 Giroud 49, 2-0 Pedro 60, 3-0 Hazard 65 pen, 3-1 Iwobi 69, 4-1 Hazard 72 that was the key why Chelsea won it.” Arsenal no longer had the energy or Chelsea Arsenal invention to respond once again, and the Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta, Čech; Papastathopoulos, replacement of Mesut Özil by 19-year-old Christensen, David Luiz, Koscielny, Monreal (Guendouzi Joe Willock with 13 minutes to play saw Emerson; Kanté, Jorginho, 66); Maitland-Niles, Torreira Kovačić (Barkley 76); Pedro (Iwobi 66), Xhaka, Kolašinac; Emery attempt something new. It was a (Willian 71), Giroud, Hazard Özil (Willock 77); Lacazette, change that carried a degree of regret too, (Zappacosta 89) Aubameyang since Emery’s No10 – a runner-up for Werder Coach Maurizio Sarri Coach Unai Emery Bremen in the last UEFA Cup ten years ago – had struggled to make the sort of impact Yellow cards Chelsea Pedro 56, Christensen 68 his opposite number had. His coach for that 2-1 final defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in Referee Istanbul was Thomas Schaaf, who knows Gianluca Rocchi (ITA) the Germany midfielder better than many. Attendance “This player has such extraordinary skills, 51,370 fantastic abilities,” said Schaaf, who chaired UEFA’s Technical Observers Group review “How do you stop players with the quality a foul by Andreas Christensen that saw panel. “He wants to go forward, he wants Match statistics like Hazard? That is already a very, very the Chelsea defender become the second to try to find the net, with his acceleration Chelsea Arsenal difficult question,” said Milenko Ačimovič. name in Rocchi’s book. “Iwobi coming and pace and, with the help of his magic left “He’s a player who finds freedom, and it’s on was a really important change, and I foot, he wants to dictate a match.” 4 GOALS 1 difficult for me even to say how to stop him; think that Arsenal then also showed more Instead, it was the blue No10 who 48 POSSESSION % 52 he was the key of Chelsea’s game, for scoring attacking power,” said Stefan Majewski. “But condemned Arsenal to a third UEFA final and winning.” After teeing up Pedro to side- the difference was that Chelsea always defeat in 19 years, and earned Chelsea 14 TOTAL ATTEMPTS 15 foot a second, Chelsea’s No10 stroked home stuck to their playing system, while Arsenal their third final victory in seven years, after 8 ATTEMPTS ON TARGET 2 the third from the penalty spot to give his tried to do something after having already winning their first UEFA Champions League side a firm grasp on the title. conceded three goals.” From the resulting title in 2012 and the UEFA Europa League 7 CORNERS 5 Unai Emery was already planning his free-kick, the ball eventually fell for the a year later. They achieved it as the first YELLOW CARDS first changes as he watched the penalty Nigerian to strike the sweetest of volleys to team ever to come through an entire UEFA 2 0 from the touchline and felt emboldened to reduce the arrears and hint at a dramatic Europa League campaign unbeaten. While 0 RED CARDS 0 make an attack-minded substitution with twist in the denouement. Sarri takes an informal approach to his own the game slipping even further away, with The technical areas did not seem appearance, religiously sporting a tracksuit 433 PASSES 452 the introduction of Alex Iwobi. The Nigerian expansive enough to contain either Emery on the touchline, he does seek beauty in 373 PASSES COMPLETED 394 became the 16th different nationality on the or Sarri as they delivered orders from the the football his side displays. Casual off the Baku pitch, and he immediately lifted the touchline. Every centimetre closer they A second goal from Eden field, he wants elegance and refinement 86% PASSING ACCURACY 87% drooped heads of his team-mates with a could get to their team was exploited, Hazard made it 4-1 and put on it, and few could deny the smart the game beyond Arsenal 101,603m DISTANCE COVERED 95,957m powerful burst down the left wing, inducing under the monitoring glances of the fourth sophistication his team had shown.

20 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 21 THE WINNING COACH

ur objective is beauty. We like to replace Antonio Conte – the man he would Benítez and he took them to the top of enjoy ourselves and to entertain, later succeed at Chelsea – Sarri guided Serie A for the first time in 25 years, since “Oand if these match our results, Tuscan side Arezzo to draws at Juventus, the last time they won the Scudetto. He then that’s a pleasure.” That, in his own Napoli and Genoa, all of whom would showed an immediate affinity for the UEFA words, is the philosophy of Maurizio be promoted to Serie A at the end of the Europa League by guiding the Partenopei Sarri, who got the combination right in season. His team even had AC Milan on the to six wins out of six in the group stage, the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League to lift ropes in the Coppa Italia having already scoring 22 goals and conceding just three his first major trophy with Chelsea. knocked out Serie A side Livorno. Carlo – all records for the Serie A outfit. Another “Sarri’s Chelsea are the most beautiful Ancelotti’s Rossoneri went on to lift the club record was set with an eighth straight advertisement for football,” said Sky Sport UEFA Champions League that season and Serie A victory in February 2016, but despite Italia pundit Daniele Adani after the Naples- while Sarri was replaced by Conte following Napoli’s highest-ever haul of 82 points, from born coach finally got his hands on some a disagreement with club president Piero an unprecedented 25 wins and 106 goals silverware. It was not the first time Sarri had Mancini, it was not before Mancini had in all competitions, they finished second to lifted a trophy, but you would have to go defined Sarri as the “Michelangelo of Juventus. He smashed his own records a back a long way to find the last. At the helm football”. Sarri’s Italian travels then took year later, with 86 points, 26 wins and 115 of AC Sansovino, from the Tuscan town of in Avellino, Verona, Perugia, Grosseto, goals, and raised the bar even higher in his Monte San Savino, Sarri won the Coppa Alessandria and Sorrento before he arrived third season, with 91 points and 28 wins, Italia for clubs in Serie D, then the fifth tier in Empoli in 2012. but Juve proved to be their nemesis each of Italian football. That was 2003 and it was “He’s one of the best coaches I ever had,” time. All the while, Sarri was winning more just the start of a remarkable story. former Italy international Francesco Baiano, and more admirers for his brand of football. Sarri was already touring Europe before who played under Sarri at Sangiovannese, “When I was watching Cagliari v Napoli, I got that first footballing triumph, gaining told Italian daily Il Mattino. “For the way he a call from [Pep] Guardiola telling me, ‘Look experience in England, Luxembourg and works on the field and prepares games, I’d at how well they play – this Napoli side are Switzerland, albeit far from a football field. say that he’s unique. Sarri needs a club who spectacular!’ Even he was impressed,” Arrigo A talented individual in the banking sector, trust his project and give him a competitive Sacchi told a Neapolitan radio station. Sarri visited some of the world’s biggest squad and the necessary time for the results Sacchi, one of the world’s greatest financial centres, although his passion to arrive.” Empoli reaped their reward for coaching innovators, had a tough start when for football kept him occupied after office their unstinted belief in their coach, despite he arrived at AC Milan in 1987, but went hours. That is up until he followed his heart a haul of just four points from his first nine on to bring silverware to the club, drawing and dedicated himself to the beautiful games. After missing out on promotion to parallels with Sarri’s season at Chelsea. game. His passion and drive – some may Serie A via the play-offs in 2013, they were “We were in trouble in January and say obsession – eventually earned him a promoted automatically a year later. “I’m February but we reacted and it’s not easy place in the world’s most revered coaching getting paid for doing what I’d have done in to react in the Premier League,” Sarri said BANKING ON fraternity, although he climbed the ladder, the evenings, after work and for free,” Sarri after lifting the UEFA Europa League. “In the BANKING ON rung by rung, to get there. said when he finally arrived in Serie A as the end we qualified for the Champions League, After guiding Sansovino to promotion league’s lowest-paid coach, recalling his won 12 Europa League matches, reached from the sixth tier of football to the fifth, banking days when he filled life outside work the League Cup final – we deserved this. one year on the cusp of semi-professional with football. “I’m a lucky man.” Since we lost 6-0 to Manchester City we football convinced him he needed to After keeping Empoli in the top flight, did something different.” Like Sacchi, Sarri’s A winner dedicate more than just his evenings to Napoli appointed Sarri to succeed Rafael style did not always earn universal approval A winner coaching. That was the summer of 2002 in London, but Chelsea now have one more and, 12 months later, he crowned his first trophy in their cabinet. Having given up a career in year as a full-time coach with victory in the After ditching his trademark tracksuit on finance to pursue his obsession Coppa Italia for Serie D, his Sansovino team a triumphant night in Baku, Sarri emerged emerging victorious from 162 clubs. Sarri for his post-match media obligations with football, Maurizio Sarri’s moved onwards and upwards, taking the donning a suit he may well have last worn long wait to lift a major trophy reins of Sangiovannese in Serie C2, Italy’s at a crossroads in his life back in 2002. fourth flight, where immediate promotion to ‘He’s one of the best That was when he hung it in the wardrobe, was finally rewarded in Baku Serie C1 was followed by an eighth-place leaving the banking world poorer and the finish in the third tier, and another rise to coaches . . . for the way footballing world eminently richer. From the Pescara in Serie B. Saving them from the he works on the field bank to the bench, as Sarri embarks on drop was the first of many of Maurizio’s the next stage of his career back in Italy at masterpieces, followed by another at and prepares games, Juventus, he now has a trophy to go with Arezzo, back in Tuscany. Appointed to I’d say that he’s unique’ his pursuit of beauty.

22 23 RESULT S

Fenerbahçe take on Dinamo Zagreb in Group D

44 6-0 6 Villarreal striker Carlos Bacca scored Sevilla’s matchday three win against Salzburg advanced through the group stage with the first goal of the campaign after Akhisar Belediyespor equalled the a 100% record for a record third time; Eintracht results 44 seconds against Rangers record margin of victory Frankfurt also won all of their group games

September 2018 December 2018

GROUP STAGE

Group A P W D L F A Pts Group B P W D L F A Pts Group C P W D L F A Pts Group G P W D L F A Pts Group H P W D L F A Pts Group I P W D L F A Pts Bayer 04 Leverkusen 6 4 1 1 16 9 13 FC Salzburg 6 6 0 0 17 6 18 FC Zenit 6 3 2 1 6 5 11 Villarreal CF 6 2 4 0 12 5 10 Eintracht Frankfurt 6 6 0 0 17 5 18 KRC Genk 6 3 2 1 14 8 11 FC Zürich 6 3 1 2 7 6 10 Celtic FC 6 3 0 3 6 8 9 SK Slavia Praha 6 3 1 2 4 3 10 SK Rapid Wien 6 3 1 2 6 9 10 SS Lazio 6 3 0 3 9 11 9 Malmö FF 6 2 3 1 7 6 9 AEK Larnaca FC 6 1 2 3 6 12 5 RB Leipzig 6 2 1 3 9 8 7 FC Girondins de Bordeaux 6 2 1 3 6 6 7 Rangers FC 6 1 3 2 8 8 6 Apollon Limassol FC 6 2 1 3 10 10 7 Beşiktaş JK 6 2 1 3 9 11 7 PFC Ludogorets 1945 6 0 4 2 5 7 4 Rosenborg BK 6 0 1 5 4 14 1 FC København 6 1 2 3 3 5 5 FK Spartak Moskva 6 1 2 3 8 12 5 Olympique de Marseille 6 0 1 5 6 16 1 Sarpsborg 08 FF 6 1 2 3 8 13 5

20/09 AEK Larnaca 0-1 Zürich 20/09 Leipzig 2-3 Salzburg 20/09 København 1-1 Zenit 20/09 Villarreal 2-2 Rangers 20/09 Marseille 1-2 Frankfurt 20/09 Beşiktaş 3-1 Sarpsborg 20/09 Ludogorets 2-3 Leverkusen 20/09 Celtic 1-0 Rosenborg 20/09 Slavia Praha 1-0 Bordeaux 20/09 Rapid Wien 2-0 Spartak Moskva 20/09 Lazio 2-1 Apollon 20/09 Genk 2-0 Malmö 04/10 Leverkusen 4-2 AEK Larnaca 04/10 Rosenborg 1-3 Leipzig 04/10 Bordeaux 1-2 København 04/10 Spartak Moskva 3-3 Villarreal 04/10 Apollon 2-2 Marseille 04/10 Malmö 2-0 Beşiktaş 04/10 Zürich 1-0 Ludogorets 04/10 Salzburg 3-1 Celtic 04/10 Zenit 1-0 Slavia Praha 04/10 Rangers 3-1 Rapid Wien 04/10 Frankfurt 4-1 Lazio 04/10 Sarpsborg 3-1 Genk 25/10 Zürich 3-2 Leverkusen 25/10 Salzburg 3-0 Rosenborg 25/10 Zenit 2-1 Bordeaux 25/10 Rangers 0-0 Spartak Moskva 25/10 Frankfurt 2-0 Apollon 25/10 Sarpsborg 1-1 Malmö 25/10 AEK Larnaca 1-1 Ludogorets 25/10 Leipzig 2-0 Celtic 25/10 København 0-1 Slavia Praha 25/10 Villarreal 5-0 Rapid Wien 25/10 Marseille 1-3 Lazio 25/10 Beşiktaş 2-4 Genk 08/11 Leverkusen 1-0 Zürich 08/11 Rosenborg 2-5 Salzburg 08/11 Bordeaux 1-1 Zenit 08/11 Spartak Moskva 4-3 Rangers 08/11 Apollon 2-3 Frankfurt 08/11 Malmö 1-1 Sarpsborg 08/11 Ludogorets 0-0 AEK Larnaca 08/11 Celtic 2-1 Leipzig 08/11 Slavia Praha 0-0 København 08/11 Rapid Wien 0-0 Villarreal 08/11 Lazio 2-1 Marseille 08/11 Genk 1-1 Beşiktaş 29/11 Zürich 1-2 AEK Larnaca 29/11 Salzburg 1-0 Leipzig 29/11 Zenit 1-0 København 29/11 Spartak Moskva 1-2 Rapid Wien 29/11 Frankfurt 4-0 Marseille 29/11 Sarpsborg 2-3 Beşiktaş 29/11 Leverkusen 1-1 Ludogorets 29/11 Rosenborg 0-1 Celtic 29/11 Bordeaux 2-0 Slavia Praha 29/11 Rangers 0-0 Villarreal 29/11 Apollon 2-0 Lazio 29/11 Malmö 2-2 Genk 13/12 AEK Larnaca 1-5 Leverkusen 13/12 Leipzig 1-1 Rosenborg 13/12 København 0-1 Bordeaux 13/12 Villarreal 2-0 Spartak Moskva 13/12 Marseille 1-3 Apollon 13/12 Beşiktaş 0-1 Malmö 13/12 Ludogorets 1-1 Zürich 13/12 Celtic 1-2 Salzburg 13/12 Slavia Praha 2-0 Zenit 13/12 Rapid Wien 1-0 Rangers 13/12 Lazio 1-2 Frankfurt 13/12 Genk 4-0 Sarpsborg

Group D P W D L F A Pts Group E P W D L F A Pts Group F P W D L F A Pts Group J P W D L F A Pts Group K P W D L F A Pts Group L P W D L F A Pts GNK Dinamo Zagreb 6 4 2 0 11 3 14 Arsenal FC 6 5 1 0 12 2 16 Real Betis Balompié 6 3 3 0 7 2 12 Sevilla FC 6 4 0 2 18 6 12 FC Dynamo Kyiv 6 3 2 1 10 7 11 Chelsea FC 6 5 1 0 12 3 16 Fenerbahçe SK 6 2 2 2 7 7 8 Sporting Clube de Portugal 6 4 1 1 13 3 13 Olympiacos FC 6 3 1 2 11 6 10 FC Krasnodar 6 4 0 2 8 8 12 Stade Rennais FC 6 3 0 3 7 8 9 FC BATE Borisov 6 3 0 3 9 9 9 FC Spartak Trnava 6 2 1 3 4 7 7 FC Vorskla Poltava 6 1 0 5 4 13 3 AC Milan 6 3 1 2 12 9 10 R. Standard de Liège 6 3 1 2 7 9 10 FC Astana 6 2 2 2 7 7 8 Vidi FC 6 2 1 3 5 7 7 RSC Anderlecht 6 0 3 3 2 7 3 Qarabağ FK 6 1 0 5 2 13 3 F91 Dudelange 6 0 1 5 3 16 1 Akhisarspor Belediyespor 6 0 1 5 4 14 1 FK Jablonec 6 1 2 3 6 8 5 PAOK FC 6 1 0 5 5 12 3

20/09 Spartak Trnava 1-0 Anderlecht 20/09 Sporting CP 2-0 Qarabağ 20/09 Dudelange 0-1 Milan 20/09 Sevilla 5-1 Standard Liège 20/09 Rennes 2-1 Jablonec 20/09 PAOK 0-1 Chelsea 20/09 Dinamo Zagreb 4-1 Fenerbahçe 20/09 Arsenal 4-2 Vorskla 20/09 Olympiacos 0-0 Real Betis 20/09 Akhisar 0-1 Krasnodar 20/09 Dynamo Kyiv 2-2 Astana 20/09 Vidi 0-2 BATE 04/10 Fenerbahçe 2-0 Spartak Trnava 04/10 Vorskla 1-2 Sporting CP 04/10 Real Betis 3-0 Dudelange 04/10 Krasnodar 2-1 Sevilla 04/10 Jablonec 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv 04/10 BATE 1-4 PAOK 04/10 Anderlecht 0-2 Dinamo Zagreb 04/10 Qarabağ 0-3 Arsenal 04/10 Milan 3-1 Olympiacos 04/10 Standard Liège 2-1 Akhisar 04/10 Astana 2-0 Rennes 04/10 Chelsea 1-0 Vidi 25/10 Anderlecht 2-2 Fenerbahçe 25/10 Qarabağ 0-1 Vorskla 25/10 Milan 1-2 Real Betis 25/10 Standard Liège 2-1 Krasnodar 25/10 Jablonec 1-1 Astana 25/10 Chelsea 3-1 BATE 25/10 Spartak Trnava 1-2 Dinamo Zagreb 25/10 Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal 25/10 Dudelange 0-2 Olympiacos 25/10 Sevilla 6-0 Akhisar 25/10 Rennes 1-2 Dynamo Kyiv 25/10 PAOK 0-2 Vidi 08/11 Fenerbahçe 2-0 Anderlecht 08/11 Vorskla 0-1 Qarabağ 08/11 Real Betis 1-1 Milan 08/11 Krasnodar 2-1 Standard Liège 08/11 Astana 2-1 Jablonec 08/11 BATE 0-1 Chelsea 08/11 Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 Spartak Trnava 08/11 Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP 08/11 Olympiacos 5-1 Dudelange 08/11 Akhisar 2-3 Sevilla 08/11 Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 Rennes 08/11 Vidi 1-0 PAOK 29/11 Anderlecht 0-0 Spartak Trnava 29/11 Qarabağ 1-6 Sporting CP 29/11 Milan 5-2 Dudelange 29/11 Krasnodar 2-1 Akhisar 29/11 Astana 0-1 Dynamo Kyiv 29/11 BATE 2-0 Vidi 29/11 Fenerbahçe 0-0 Dinamo Zagreb 29/11 Vorskla 0-3 Arsenal 29/11 Real Betis 1-0 Olympiacos 29/11 Standard Liège 1-0 Sevilla 29/11 Jablonec 0-1 Rennes 29/11 Chelsea 4-0 PAOK 13/12 Spartak Trnava 1-0 Fenerbahçe 13/12 Sporting CP 3-0 Vorskla 13/12 Dudelange 0-0 Real Betis 13/12 Sevilla 3-0 Krasnodar 13/12 Rennes 2-0 Astana 13/12 PAOK 1-3 BATE 13/12 Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Anderlecht 13/12 Arsenal 1-0 Qarabağ 13/12 Olympiacos 3-1 Milan 13/12 Akhisar 0-0 Standard Liège 13/12 Dynamo Kyiv 0-1 Jablonec 13/12 Vidi 2-2 Chelsea

24 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 25 RESULT S

7 6 18 BATE’s Igor Stasevich (above) and Willian Only Radamel Falcao (7) has scored more Chelsea set a new unbeaten run of 18 UEFA of Chelsea provided the most assists with UEFA Europa League semi-final goals than Europa League matches, surpassing the seven. Frankfurt’s Mijat Gaćinović had six Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette previous best of 15 set by Atlético de Madrid The finalists make their way out on to the pitch in Baku

February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019

ROUND OF 32 ROUND OF 16 QUARTER-FINALS SEMI-FINALS 12, 14, 20 and 21 February 7 and 14 March 11 and 18 April 2 and 9 May

Fenerbahçe 1-0 Zenit Galatasaray 1-2 Benfica Frankfurt 0-0 Inter Arsenal 2-0 Napoli Benfica 4-2 Eintracht Frankfurt Arsenal 3-1 Valencia Zenit 3-1 Fenerbahçe Benfica 0-0 Galatasaray Inter 0-1 Frankfurt Napoli 0-1 Arsenal Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 Benfica Valencia 2-4 Arsenal

Zenit win 3-2 on aggregate Benfica win 2-1 on aggregate Frankfurt win 1-0 on aggregate Arsenal win 3-0 on aggregate Aggregate 4-4; Frankfurt win on away goals Arsenal win 7-3 on aggregate

Rapid Wien 0-1 Internazionale Viktoria Plzeň 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Benfica Villarreal 1-3 Valencia Slavia Praha 0-1 Chelsea Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Chelsea Internazionale 4-0 Rapid Wien Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Viktoria Plzeň Benfica 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb Valencia 2-0 Villarreal Chelsea 4-3 Slavia Praha Chelsea 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Internazionale win 5-0 on aggregate Dinamo win 4-2 on aggregate Benfica win 3-1 on aggregate after extra time Valencia win 5-1 on aggregate Chelsea win 5-3 on aggregate Aggregate 2-2 after extra time; Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties

Slavia Praha 0-0 Genk Club Brugge 2-1 Salzburg Sevilla 2-2 Slavia Praha Genk 1-4 Slavia Praha Salzburg 4-0 Club Brugge Slavia Praha 4-3 Sevilla

Slavia win 4-1 on aggregate Salzburg win 5-2 on aggregate Slavia win 6-5 on aggregate after extra time

Krasnodar 0-0 Leverkusen Zürich 1-3 Napoli Rennes 3-1 Arsenal Leverkusen 1-1 Krasnodar Napoli 2-0 Zürich Arsenal 3-0 Rennes FINAL 29 May Aggregate 1-1; Krasnodar win on away goal Napoli win 5-1 on aggregate Arsenal win 4-3 on aggregate

Rennes 3-3 Real Betis Malmö 1-2 Chelsea Zenit 1-3 Villarreal Real Betis 1-3 Rennes Chelsea 3-0 Malmö Villarreal 2-1 Zenit

Rennes win 6-4 on aggregate Chelsea win 5-1 on aggregate Villarreal win 5-2 on aggregate

Olympiacos 2-2 Dynamo Kyiv Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Frankfurt Chelsea 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 Olympiacos Frankfurt 4-1 Shakhtar Donetsk Dynamo Kyiv 0-5 Chelsea

Dynamo win 3-2 on aggregate Frankfurt win 6-3 on aggregate Chelsea win 8-0 on aggregate

Lazio 0-1 Sevilla Celtic 0-2 Valencia Napoli 3-0 Salzburg Chelsea Arsenal Sevilla 2-0 Lazio Valencia 1-0 Celtic Salzburg 3-1 Napoli Sevilla win 3-0 on aggregate Valencia win 3-0 on aggregate Napoli win 4-3 on aggregate 4-1

BATE 1-0 Arsenal Sporting CP 0-1 Villarreal Valencia 2-1 Krasnodar Arsenal 3-0 BATE Villarreal 1-1 Sporting CP Krasnodar 1-1 Valencia

Arsenal win 3-1 on aggregate Villarreal win 2-1 on aggregate Valencia win 3-2 on aggregate

26 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 27 ANALYSIS

SARRIBALL REAPS REWARD Maurizio Sarri’s trademark playing style paid off in Baku

With victory in the final, Chelsea became the first English why he is one of the best coaches in Europe. Everybody side to win 12 major European games in a single season. wanted to see him in Napoli; to see how he works, discover With three draws thrown in, the Blues went unbeaten his secrets – he has lots of admirers.” on their way to a second UEFA Europa League title, and In Italy, Sarri’s football was already earning widespread much of the credit for that must go to their coach Maurizio praise and acclaim. Manchester City manager Pep TALKING Sarri, who has only ever lost twice in the competition. The Guardiola declared following his side’s UEFA Champions TALKING 60-year-old first got a taste of the competition in 2015/16, League clash with the Partenopei that they were one of winning six group games out of six at the Napoli helm, the best teams he’d faced in his career – “or maybe the before suffering his first loss in the subsequent round of 32 very best”. Sarri has altered his strategy from 4-2-3-1 to at Villarreal. A 3-1 reverse to Leipzig in Naples last season 4-3-1-2 during his Empoli days – his first taste of Italy’s points is the only other blot on an otherwise outstandingly clean Serie A – to the 4-3-3 with which he enjoyed sustained points copybook that boasts 20 wins in 25 UEFA Europa League success with Napoli and, ultimately, earned his first major fixtures, and now bears the hallmark of a champion. trophy with Chelsea. The high pressing, quick combinations As Sarri and Hütter benefited from a positive He did it in his own, almost inimitable way, with his and short passing to open up opponents can only be approach, Slavia showed that the underdog own style. Indeed Sarriball, or ‘Sarrismo’ – a word that successful with the right tools, however, and Sarri identified was added to the Treccani Italian dictionary in 2018 – is this immediately after arriving in London in 2018, signing can still have its day – even if two English a philosophy, based on movement, fluidity and, perhaps Italy international Jorginho from his former club. powerhouses ultimately contested the final above all, participation. “Chelsea play their football “Jorginho is the key player in Sarri’s philosophy,” getting everybody involved – every single one of them,” said Ghenadie Scurtul. “He really does a lot in game said Sky Sport Italia pundit Daniele Adani, analysing organisation and also in the defensive line. This player Chelsea’s final performance, which, he added, provided plays in front of the central defenders, and he is like an “the most beautiful example this year, certified right at ice breaker. He is reading the game very well, and his role the end when everybody touched the ball; 11 players got in the team’s tactics I think is crucial. He is one of the key a touch before their opponents did.” players around whom the structure and set-up of the That move, coming towards the end of the Baku final, coach is based, both in attacking and in defending.” may not have resulted in a goal, but it was a perfect Sarri also had further key structural players such as example of the brand of football Sarri seeks from his team. N’Golo Kanté and the reliable alternative resources he “I don’t know the exact answer to why he is so good, but needs, like Mateo Kovačić, to ensure the freshness that it’s nice to watch Chelsea,” said Milenko Ačimovič, one was so important to victory in the final, and to execute a of UEFA’s Technical Observers Group. “He showed again brand of football that is gradually gaining a hallmark.

THE EMERY LEAGUE Arsenal coach’s European nous shone through again

There was something distinctly familiar about the 2019 of the game,” noted Hans Leitert, as attack-minded UEFA Europa League final. A third of the previous nine players Alex Iwobi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were both editions since the competition changed its name from almost counter-intuitively introduced when Rennes were the UEFA Cup had featured Unai Emery in one of the threatening another twist in their dramatic last-16 tie. dugouts. Emery’s name is inextricably linked with the UEFA Within minutes, Mkhitaryan exchanged passes with Aaron Europa League; his success in leading Sevilla to three Ramsey before feeding Sead Kolašinac to set up Arsenal’s consecutive titles between 2014 and 2016 almost led to third and seal their place in the quarter-finals. the name being changed again – to the Emery League. The Armenian filled a key role in the success of With an impressive record reading 42 wins and just 13 Emery’s side; in a position where Ivan Rakitić and defeats in 74 UEFA Europa League matches, the 47-year- Éver Banega had been pivotal in his successes with old certainly knows what it takes to lead a team to the Sevilla, and where Mesut Özil was a crucial connection final, and he underlined it once again on his way to Baku. in Arsenal’s fluid, counterattacking combinations. With many quick counterattacking goals, his Arsenal “Many think he’s walking on the pitch, but tactically side bore a strong resemblance to his Sevilla side he [Özil] does an amazing job,” added Constantinou synonymous with success prior to Emery’s move to Paris of the German attacking midfielder. “He’s establishing Saint-Germain in 2016. “Emery knows how to get his team numerical advantage and making combinations on the to react on the pitch,” said Savvas Constantinou, who sides and creating great problems from the flanks.” lauded Arsenal’s transformation in the first leg of their It may not have ultimately sufficed for a fourth UEFA semi-final against Valencia. Feeling the pressure, a few Europa League title, yet Emery’s achievements in tactical tweaks from Emery sparked a positive reaction guiding Arsenal to the final in his first season cannot inherent to his side all season. Indeed, the Gunners came be overstated. “Emery has won the final already three Unai Emery took from behind on two occasions after first-leg defeats in the times with Sevilla, and now he made it into the final again Arsenal to their first European final round of 32 at BATE Borisov and in the last 16 at Rennes. with a different team – this is, I think, an extraordinary since 2006 “His substitutions had a very good impact on the course performance,” said Thomas Schaaf.

28 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 29 ANALYSIS

ALL ENGLAND CLUB (ranked 16), København (43) and Bordeaux – the club who, inspired by Zinédine Zidane, had ended Slavia’s hitherto With top coaches joining top players in the Premier League, an all-English final did not come as a surprise best European run, when Karel Poborský and Vladimir Šmicer featured in the team that went all the way to the For the first time since the inaugural edition of the coaches are moving to England,” he said. “It’s not only 1996 UEFA Cup semi-finals. This season, having emerged UEFA Cup back in 1971/72, when Tottenham Hotspur the budget – they always had that – it’s not only the from their group, Slavia then swept Genk (57) aside with a got the better of Wolverhampton Wanderers over a competition either; it’s that European coaches, or the 4-1 second-leg win in Belgium in the round of 32. two-legged final, two English sides contested the UEFA international coaches who have moved there, have An even greater challenge lay in store in the last 16, but Europa League showpiece. That is perhaps where the influenced the game in England. They have changed the Sevilla – champions in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and ranked similarities end, however. English football has come a DNA of the game.” sixth in Europe – were beaten after extra time of an epic long way over the intervening 47 years, with a notable The influence of the manager, as their role is more encounter at the Eden Stadium. That set up a clash acceleration in recent seasons. commonly referred to in Britain, has developed at a pace. with Chelsea that made the Blues’ coach Maurizio Sarri “Something changed, I think, in the game of the Premier They have embraced the inherent attractions of Premier particularly wary. He paid no notice of the Czech club’s League,” said Savvas Constantinou. “We used to see in League football – its speed, intensity and competitiveness ranking and, in the role of David, there was nevertheless a the league long balls, but now they try to play; they try to right to the final whistle – and raised the tactical level, touch of Goliath about Slavia. “They are the tallest in the adapt to European needs with the coaches influencing thanks to some of the finest tools on the continent. Europa League,” Sarri said after his side slew the giant- the game in the Premier League. Now they are at the top.” “I think the biggest factor for English teams to lead killers in the quarter-final. “I always knew it would be a There has always been an allure to English football European football is that the best players in the world tough game for us. I was a bit worried because they were and while it has never been uncommon to see some are moving to England now,” added Constantinou. “And I still running flat out while we were running out of petrol. of the best players strutting their stuff in front of think this is the key why the English teams are now at the “This team were the surprise of the Europa League, packed stadia the envy of many in Europe, an extra top of Europe.” Together with Liverpool and Tottenham the Ajax of the Europa League – extremely tough dimension has recently been added to the game, and Hotspur contesting the UEFA Champions League final, opponents – so a bit of suffering is fine,” added Sarri Constantinou believes it is a significant one. “The best English clubs certainly set the benchmark in 2018/19. after Slavia became one of just four sides to score three or more goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in European competition, and the first to do so in the UEFA Europa League. “For me, I have to say, it was a good surprise from Slavia because they are not afraid to build up from HATS OFF TO HÜTTER their own goal, and they play a very positive style,” said Ghenadie Scurtul, who analysed the first leg of that Positive approach takes Frankfurt far semi-final tie, which Chelsea edged 1-0. “They tried to play with ball possession and, knowing that Sarri Eintracht Frankfurt started their mesmerising run to the knocked them down, but they lifted themselves back up Ibrahim-Benjamin is using high pressure, they nevertheless tried to be semi-finals with a 2-1 win at 2018 runners-up Marseille, to win the return leg 2-0 and progress to the final four Traoré scored in constructive in the very beginning. setting the tone for a campaign that captured the on away goals. Slavia Praha’s “I think it’s a club philosophy and a good approach for imagination of not only their sizeable travelling support, Eventual champions Chelsea were on the ropes at campaign the young football players, also as an example of how but of football fans all over Europe. With more than Stamford Bridge before a penalty shoot-out ended maybe you do not have the big stars or famous players, 15,000 fans following the Eagles on their trip to San Siro, Frankfurt’s fairy tale – or ‘madness’ as their official but you can still try to play in a constructive way.” where they defeated Internazionale to secure a place in social media accounts called it. That did not stop the GIANT-SLAYING SLAVIA That is precisely what they did in Prague, going for the quarter-finals, rarely has a club benefited so greatly compliments arriving for a team who have gone from Czechs defy rankings to give underdogs bite a win even against a side ranked 140 positions higher from their 12th man. strength to strength under the guidance of Adi Hütter, than them in the club coefficients. “They could have The encouragement undeniably lifted the team, but who had ended Young Boys’ 32-year wait for their 12th Bravery, determination and defiance. Those are the key played for 0-0 – I really think so – but at the end of the with the football they were witnessing it was hard not Swiss title in 2017/18, before replacing Bayern München- attributes conveyed in the biblical account of David’s game they changed: they wanted to win even against to be enthusiastic. “You look at teams like Eintracht bound Niko Kovać after the Croatian had led the Eagles unlikely victory over Goliath; a triumph of small over big. Chelsea, a big name. It’s a good sign for other clubs. I Frankfurt who not necessarily many people were to victory in the German Cup. “It was not an easy decision In the case of the 2018/19 edition of the UEFA Europa think it’s also, more generally, an observation from the reckoning with, and these teams managed to convince to come after this big season of Eintracht Frankfurt and League, Slavia Praha showed such characteristics Europa League that all teams are trying to play in a very also because they played a courageous football, he continued even better, I think,” said Milenko Ačimovič. throughout a remarkable journey that demonstrated how constructive way. Slavia Praha should be congratulated because they pushed forward bravely, because they “Frankfurt looked even more dangerous.” both a positive approach and preparation can take you a for this beautiful game against Chelsea.” risked a lot and because they were very active,” said Hütter’s underdogs succeeded thanks to an excellent long way in the UEFA Europa League. The Czech club ended the season 73rd in the rankings UEFA technical observer Thomas Schaaf, who sat on the approach that, even in adversity, did not fluctuate, “They were really well prepared and in good physical – a leap of 80 places – but perhaps equally importantly, Frankfurt bench in the 2014/15 season. as seen in their fightback against Benfica. “I was so condition,” said Stefan Majewski. “If we look at their team, they brought the best out of talents such as Tomáš With their exciting attacking triumvirate of Sébastien impressed with the fact that not only were they reacting, also the forwards and midfielders, how much they ran in Souček, Miroslav Stoch and Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Haller, Luka Jović and Ante Rebić, supported so well but they were being proactive and on the front foot, their defensive and attacking work, it’s unbelievable.” It who benefited from working under Trpišovský. “I think it’s by Filip Kostić and Mijat Gaćinović, Frankfurt made a playing 70 minutes with ten players against Benfica was a mindset they adopted no matter who they were part of the philosophy of the coach; this philosophy of a tricky group look simple with six wins from six against away and scoring two goals, and they could have scored playing. Coach Jindřích Trpišovský, a man earning a positive way that develops the players,” noted Scurtul. Marseille, Lazio and Apollon Limassol, scoring 17 goals even more,” said Jarmo Matikainen. “It means that, even reputation locally as the Czech Jürgen Klopp, and not “Perhaps because these clubs are not so big, they are in the process. Six more followed as they made light though they were very brave and very good in defending, just because he sports a baseball cap, had instilled a working more to create good players, maybe for big work of Shakhtar Donetsk in the round of 32 before and happy to play one-on-one defending the opponents, level of belief that saw a side ranked 153rd in the UEFA clubs, and this constructive way of thinking develops that solitary strike sufficed at San Siro. A 4-2 defeat at they were clearly defending to attack. And that was one club coefficients emerge from a group featuring Zenit the players as well.” Benfica in the first leg of their quarter-final tie may have of the very, very impressive features with Eintracht.”

30 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 31 ANALYSIS

TOP TEN GOALS

Ismaïla Sarr Rennes v Jablonec Group K 1 First-time volley from distance with the power and direction to curl beyond the keeper’s reach.

Pedro Rodríguez Chelsea v Slavia Praha Goals of Quarter-final, second leg Goals of 2 Fine chip over the onrushing keeper to conclude an outstanding the season sequence of slick, one-touch passes. the season David Faupala Apollon Limassol v Lazio Group H Ismaïla Sarr’s sweet volley for Rennes 3 Perfectly timed overhead kick with a fine connection following a cross stood out from a fine selection of goals from the right wing.

The UEFA Technical Observers Group had unstoppable long-range strike against Tobias Heintz their work cut out picking the best ten goals Akhisar also making it into the top ten. Sarpsborg v Beşiktaş Group I from a total of 565 – a joint second-highest That was topped by his team-mate Munir 4 Long-distance lob over the keeper, executed haul for a single UEFA Europa League El Haddadi in the second leg of Sevilla’s to perfection to dip under the crossbar. season, bettered only in 2011/12. When the ill-fated round of 16 tie with Slavia Praha, his observers met on the day after the final in left-foot volley from long range nestling in the Baku, the list had to be whittled down from top left-hand corner of Ondřej Kolář’s goal, Ari 50 eye-catching strikes. well beyond the reach of the fully stretched Krasnodar v Akhisar Belediyespor After careful consideration, a top ten Slavia keeper, and levelling the tie at 4-4 on Group J 5 Delightful, delicate dink over the goalkeeper was identified, with Ismaïla Sarr’s strike in aggregate. It was one of many long-range from the edge of the penalty area. the group stage ultimately chosen as the goals that demonstrated players were not first choice. The Senegalese forward gave afraid to shoot from distance, although Rennes fans a treat half an hour into their Sporting CP’s Nani showed there was also Munir El Haddadi opening UEFA Europa League fixture at another route to goal against Qarabağ. Slavia Praha v Sevilla Roazhon Park, with their first European goal The ball appeared to be glued to the Round of 16, second leg Clockwise from above: 6 Stunning left-footed volley from long of the season proving to be the pick of the Portuguese attacking midfielder’s boot Ismaïla Sarr’s powerful distance, leaving the keeper no chance. bunch for its outstanding technical value. as he dribbled his way through the volley was judged this Cutting in from the left wing, Sarr played Azerbaijan club’s defence before keeping season’s best goal; Pedro’s chipped finish was the result a one-two with skipper Benjamin Andre to his composure to apply the finish. That was of fine teamwork; David Tomike Okriashvili establish room for a finely struck first-time another example of excellent individual Faupala’s acrobatic goal Krasnodar v Sevilla completed the top three Group J volley from outside the penalty area that quality, as was the overhead kick with 7 Precise overhead kick into the bottom was still rising as it hit the roof of the net. which David Faupala opened the scoring corner with his back to the goal. The individual quality in Sarr’s strike was in Apollon Limassol’s 2-0 win over Lazio – matched by Chelsea’s Pedro Rodríguez, one of many mesmerising moments in the although his goal in Chelsea’s quarter-final 2018/19 UEFA Europa League season. Nani win over Slavia Praha caught the eye more Qarabağ v Sporting CP Group E for the stunning build-up. The Blues strung 8 Magnetic close control to dribble together nine passes, mostly one-touch, through four defenders and supply including a neat back-heel from César a composed finish. Azpilicueta and consecutive one-twos to pave the way for Pedro’s delightful finish. It Jaromír Zmrhal was the opening goal on the night and set Slavia Praha v Bordeaux Chelsea on their way to the semi-finals. Group C Followers of Group J and in particular 9 Powerful left-foot diagonal drive that scrapes the underside of the crossbar on its way in. Krasnodar were in for a treat as they witnessed outstanding goals from Ari, who lobbed the Akhisar Belediyespor goalkeeper Roque Mesa from the edge of the penalty area, and Sevilla v Akhisar Belediyespor Tomike Okriashvili, with a spectacular Group J 10 Unstoppable long-range shot into the overhead kick against Sevilla. The Spanish top corner, crowning a slick sequence side’s fans had a stunning goal of their own of one-touch passes. to celebrate, however, with Roque Mesa’s Visit UEFA.com to see all the goals

32 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 33 ANALYSIS

The UEFA Technical Observers Group met in Baku on the morning after Chelsea’s second UEFA Europa League triumph to name a representative squad of the season. Unsurprisingly, eight members Squad of of the triumphant Blues’ team were recognised in the squad of the season, with beaten finalists Arsenal supplying three players. Only four clubs were represented in total, with beaten semi- finalists Eintracht Frankfurt providing five players, underscoring how well head coach Adi Hütter had his team playing with both a solid the season spine, provided by Kevin Trapp and Makoto Hasebe, and an exciting Finalists Chelsea and Arsenal provide more than half of attacking edge, supplied by winger Filip Kostić and striker Luka Jović. The team they defeated in the quarter-finals – Benfica – were also the observers’ all-star squad, with rising star João Félix represented at both ends of the pitch, including one of the hottest also impressing enough to make the final cut prospects in the competition, 19-year-old João Félix.

Kevin Kepa Alex Sead Laurent David César Danny Makoto Filip Jorginho N’Golo Pierre-Emerick Olivier Luka João Pedro Eden Trapp Arrizabalaga Grimaldo Kolašinac Koscielny Luiz Azpilicueta da Costa Hasebe Kostić Kanté Aubameyang Giroud Jović Félix Rodríguez Hazard FORWARDS DEFENDERS MIDFIELDERS GOALKEEPERS

The German The blueprint Had a great Offered Arsenal An excellent The leader of A solid leader A key feature A player who Seems to have The key link A player with His lightning The An extremely A 19-year-old Quality, energy The No10 goalkeeper of a modern impact on good width all-round the Chelsea of Maurizio of Frankfurt’s always managed been born with in Chelsea’s a positive pace made him tournament’s hard-working to keep an eye and outstanding almost single- provided the goalkeeper, Benfica’s going forwards, defender who defence, Sarri’s team, attacking play to find the right the ball at his game plan, mentality and a particularly top scorer with forward with on. A hat-trick technique handedly solid foundations combining attacking where he is strong in the the Brazilian providing and transitions, position and feet, such is connecting the an unparalleled uncomfortable 11 goals, Giroud excellent and assist in defined the first decided the for Frankfurt’s bravery and game down helped give challenge on combined balance forming a was invariably his comfort defensive and work ethic, opponent to was a constant strength and the quarter- player to lift the final with his remarkable excellent the flank, while them numerical the ground and strength in the and looking formidable involved in the and ease attacking lines invariably defend, with threat in and composure finals against UEFA Europa irresistible campaign, shot-stopping his pinpoint advantages, in the air, while tackle with confident in partnership build-up of running down with discipline the winner his dribbling around the combined, Frankfurt League, UEFA dribbling skills making an skills with fine deliveries from and was he has the the quality, the tackle. His with Filip Kostić Frankfurt’s game. the left wing and intelligence in 1v1s and a skills and penalty area making him a highlight his EURO, UEFA and ability to impressive footwork and open play equally confidence and intelligence and 86% passing on the left Excellent match and delivering and showing focal figure work rate one and crowned real handful for all-round Champions drive through 45 saves and the ability to and set plays comfortable assuredness to vision to build accuracy from – a source of understanding, dangerous a solid game in Chelsea’s dimension of an outstanding defenders. attacking League, the defences and giving his build play from were second fulfilling his run the ball out up from the 416 passes great danger relieving pressure crosses, or understanding. transitions, his game, and campaign with qualities and English Premier both create defence the back. He to none. defensive from the back. back and give underlined his for the Eagles. on his back line cutting inside providing his shooting his goal in deadly finishing League and the and conclude confidence conceded just duties, boasting An important his team-mates important role and distributing to shoot. balance with quality another. the final. ability. FIFA World Cup. chances. upon which eight goals in the energy to presence in confidence. in the team’s passes in the Jorginho. they could 1,200 minutes, perform the Arsenal build-up play. transitions. build their with seven both roles. rearguard. attacking game. clean sheets.

34 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 35 STATISTICS

ROUTE TO GOAL TOP SCORERS With 565 goals in the competition 4 proper, the 2018/19 campaign was the joint second-most prolific in the Olivier Giroud There were only four goalless ten-year UEFA Europa League era, 11 Chelsea draws in the knockout stage. Number eclipsed only by the 585 scored in 2011/12. Winners Chelsea managed the highest number of goal attempts per game (16.2) – considerably Luka Jović higher than any of their last-16 rivals 10 Frankfurt – showing that structured attacking 3 Olivier Giroud (Dynamo Kyiv v CRUNCHING play with a well-executed end Pierre-Emerick Chelsea, 14/03/19), João Félix The key facts and figures from the 2018/19 campaign, from product was duly rewarded. Aubameyang (Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt, 8 11/04/19) and Pierre-Emerick goal attempts and super subs to possession and passing Arsenal Aubameyang (Valencia v How the goals Arsenal, 09/05/19) joined were scored Munas Dabbur 15 other players who have GOAL ATTEMPTS GOALS FROM 8 Salzburg scored a competition hat-trick. Not only were Chelsea shooting more often important,” noted Savvas Constantinou. SET PLAYS than their rivals, their accuracy was among “That is why Eden Hazard always tried to Among the 565 goals scored, the highest too, with an average of 6.75 go vertical when he received the ball, with Wissam Ben Yedder marginally more than a quarter 6 attempts for each of their tournament-high combinations, from the sides or through – 147 – came as a result of set Free-kick goals in the group stage, 8 Sevilla 36 goals. Sevilla and Valencia were the the middle.” The sides who were able pieces, highlighting how important Chelsea’s Willian and Olivier Giroud most efficient, their counterattacking and to build up quickly and who had clinical 15 dedicating training time to supplying two of them. Alexandre Lacazette’s three direct styles showing how speed is of the finishers, with many goals scored from a preparing set pieces was. Most goals for Arsenal in the essence when it comes to building up play. first-time finish, were unsurprisingly top in Fredrik Gulbrandsen of these set-piece goals came 5 semi-final win over Valencia “The tempo of players in transition is very the efficiency stakes. Salzburg from corners, albeit not in a direct took him to 15 in the knockout manner. “We’ve seen teams play stages: eight for Lyon and short corners in order to open up Sébastien Haller seven for Arsenal. Goal attempts (round of 16 teams) the play, to create a new situation,” 17 5 said Thomas Schaaf, highlighting Penalties scored in the group stage, Frankfurt Team Matches Total Ave attempts On target Goals Ave attempts the numerous successful examples Sevilla benefiting four times with Éver attempts per match per goal of sides playing several short Banega supplying three and Pablo passes from a corner, following Sarabia the other. Apollon Limassol Chelsea 15 243 16.2 89 36 6.75 Alexandre Lacazette a carefully planned routine, to also earned two spot kicks. 5 Arsenal 52 Arsenal 15 202 13.47 76 30 6.73 create a different route to goal. 52 goals were scored by Slavia Praha, meanwhile, made substitutes in the group stage, Frankfurt 14 202 14.43 70 30 6.73 the most of their height to score with AC Milan’s Patrick Cutrone with headers direct from corners Giovani Lo Celso and Vágner Love of Beşiktaş Villarreal 12 179 14.92 65 20 8.95 5 against Genk, Sevilla and Chelsea Betis making an impact on three Salzburg 10 178 17.8 63 25 7.12 in each of their knockout fixtures, 63 occasions, the former levelling while Sevilla were spot on with five Headed goals in the group stage. for the Rossoneri against Slavia Praha 12 160 13.33 57 17 9.41 successfully converted penalties. Olympiacos and Astana both scored Pedro Rodríguez Olympiacos before scoring their four, with three of the latter’s coming third nine minutes later. Lucas Sevilla 10 139 13.9 56 26 5.35 5 Chelsea 10% from corners. Alario and Julian Brandt struck Direct three of Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Rennes 10 139 13.9 51 16 8.69 free- 14% kick four goals in their 4-2 win over Krasnodar 10 131 13.1 43 11 11.91 2% AEK Larnaca – the only three Following Following a free-kick goals scored by substitutes Dinamo Zagreb 10 129 12.9 54 16 8.06 a penalty WHY SCORING FIRST MATTERS for the Bundesliga club. Dynamo Kyiv 10 93 9.3 41 13 7.15 The recent trend of comeback wins was hard to come by. Arsenal twice overturned reversed in 2018/19 with the side who first-leg deficits to eliminate BATE Borisov Valencia 8 89 11.13 32 14 6.36 got the first goal on the board showing a and Rennes, while Salzburg won the second Napoli 6 86 14.33 28 9 9.56 23% greater tendency to go on and win. Of 205 legs of both their knockout fixtures after Direct matches, the team who opened the scoring losing the first leg, although their 3-1 win from Benfica 6 79 13.17 31 9 8.78 corner went on to win 136 times, with a score over Napoli proved insufficient after a 3-0 11 (one 27% reversal happening only 25 times and 28 defeat in Italy. Eintracht Frankfurt came Olivier Giroud (11 goals) and Following Zenit 10 77 7.7 26 11 7.00 touch) a corner games ending in a score draw. back from a 4-2 defeat at Benfica to win Luka Jović (10) became only the Internazionale 4 49 12.25 17 5 9.80 24% While comebacks in single matches were their quarter-final on away goals thanks fifth and sixth players to reach Penalty rare, turnarounds over two legs were not so to a 2-0 home success. double figures in a season.

36 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 37 STATISTICS

PASSING Jesé Rodríguez of Real How the last 16 compared It will come as no surprise to see whose Napoli side continued to Betis battles for the ball with Mexer of Rennes in that Chelsea led the way in terms employ a similar, if perhaps more the round of 32 Team Attempted passes Completion of passes attempted. With 665.13 direct style to the one Sarri had per match rate passes per game – an impressive 89% established at the Italian club. The of which reached their targets – they presence of Internazionale ahead Chelsea 665.13 89% were averaging almost 75 more than of Arsenal and Sevilla in the ranking their nearest last-16 rivals Napoli. The further suggests how much of an Napoli 590.33 84% legacy Maurizio Sarri left behind in emphasis the Serie A clubs placed Naples lives on under Carlo Ancelotti, on circulating the ball. Internazionale 540.5 84%

Top ten teams (overall) Arsenal 534.6 86%

Sevilla 526.1 83% Team Attempted passes per match Completion rate

Villarreal 524.92 86% Chelsea 665.13 89%

Krasnodar 507 83% Betis 653 90% Benfica 496 81% Leverkusen 600.13 86% Salzburg 472.9 81% Napoli 590.33 84% Valencia 463 85% Marseille 544.83 86% Dynamo Kyiv 461.9 84%

PAOK 542.17 86% Zenit 421.2 81%

Internazionale 540.5 84% Rennes 419.2 81%

Anderlecht 536.5 85% Slavia Praha 402.67 78%

Celtic 535.38 83% Frankfurt 391.79 77%

Arsenal 534.6 86% Dinamo Zagreb 319.7 75%

POSSESSION

As in 2017/18, only three of the sides who boasted the highest average possession Possession average per game (%) reached the last 16, and once again it was Chelsea who ranked the highest among them – just behind Betis – with an average of over 60% per game. It was observed, though, that many comparably smaller clubs were taking much bolder approaches and not letting their opponents keep the ball for so long without a challenge. “These teams convinced also because they played courageous football,” said Thomas 63.75% 61.8% 60% 60% 58.38% Schaaf. “They pushed forward bravely, 57.38% 57.17% 56.75% 56.5% 56.5% took a lot of risks and were very active.” BETIS CHELSEA GALATASARAY ANDERLECHT LEVERKUSEN GENK PAOK INTERNAZIONALE NAPOLI PLZEŇ

38 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 39 ARSENAL FC SL BENFICA England Portugal

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Unai Emery From second leg of semi-final v Valencia Bruno Lage From first leg of QF v Frankfurt Born: 03/11/1971, Hondarribia (ESP) Born: 12/05/1976, Nationality: Setubal (POR) Spanish Nationality: Head coach: Portuguese 14 9 79 83 Since 23/05/2018 Head coach: 27 European trophies won: 3 10 Since 14/01/2019 11 5 22 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L 11 34 Matches in UEFA Matches in UEFA 31 15 3 7 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 82 45 24 13 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 6 3 1 2 33 6 18 5 Matches in European 6 Matches in European club competition** 132 68 33 31 club competition** 6 3 1 2 1 99 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group E Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group E (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final VOR QAR SCP SCP VOR QAR BTE BTE REN REN NAP NAP VAL VAL CHE BAY AEK AJX AJX BAY AEK GAL GAL DZ DZ EIN EIN W 4-2 W 0-3 W 0-1 D 0-0 W 0-3 W 1-0 L 1-0 W 3-0 L 3-1 W 3-0 W 2-0 W 0-1 W 3-1 W 2-4 L 1-4 L 0-2 W 2-3 L 1-0 D 1-1 L 5-1 W 1-0 W 1-2 D 0-0 L 1-0 W 3-0* W 4-2 L 2-0**

Dark orange = home, yellow = away, white = final; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time **Frankfurt win on away goals

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 30 13 17 2 9 6 10 0 1 Petr Čech 11 990 202 76 99 Odisseas Vlachodimos 6 570 79 31 19 Bernd Leno 3 270 2 own goals 13.5 per match 5.1 per match Sent off: 13.2 per match 5.2 per match Lacazette v BTE (a), Defenders 26 Emiliano Martínez 1 90 Time scored Time scored Papastathopoulos v REN (a) 3 Alex Grimaldo 5 434 1 1 7 2 2 2 2 Defenders 6 5 6 Rúben Dias 6 570 1 1 5 Sokratis Papastathopoulos 12 975 2 4 4 7 Sébastien Corchia 3 246 1 6 Laurent Koscielny 10 840 3 15 Yuri Ribeiro 2 136 12 Stephan Lichtsteiner 6 524 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 5 420 33 Jardel 2 180 Rob Holding 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 18 Nacho Monreal 12 858 1 34 André Almeida 3 289 20 Shkodran Mustafi 6 469 1 97 Ferro 4 390 1 25 3 240 Averages Key features Averages Key features Carl Jenkinson Midfielders Arsenal Ben ca 31 Sead Kolašinac 10 726 2 • 1-3-4-3; also 1-4-2-3-1 • 1-4-4-2; also 1-4-2-3-1 Possession 5 Ljubomir Fejsa 3 300 Possession 47 Zechariah Medley 2 57 and 1-3-4-1-2 when Max. 71% v BATE (a) • Good use of wing-backs in Max. 65% v Dinamo Zagreb (h) 56% 8 Gabriel 4 259 52% chasing game Midfielders Min. 33% v Napoli (a) fast attacking transitions Min. 34% v Galatasaray (a) 17 Andrija Živković 3 71 • Deep and well organised 4 Mohamed Elneny 7 460 1 • Predominantly Passes attempted 18 Eduardo Salvio 2 66 1 Passes attempted defence 7 Henrikh Mkhitaryan 11 671 3 counterattacking style Max. 739 v Vorskla (h) favouring quick transitions 20 Filip Krovinović 2 99 Max. 817 v Dinamo Zagreb (h) • Emphasis on attacking 8 Aaron Ramsey 7 479 2 1 535 Min. 273 v Napoli (a) 496 Min. 293 v Galatasaray (a) • Fluid, one-touch 21 Pizzi 4 246 1 quickly, often with 10 Mesut Özil 10 651 1 1 direct balls combinations 22 Andreas Samaris 3 158 11 Lucas Torreira 12 618 1 Passing accuracy Passing accuracy • Good links between the • Good use of width with 15 Ainsley Maitland-Niles 10 804 1 2 Max. 92% v Vorskla (h) 27 Rafa Silva 5 315 Max. 87% v Dinamo Zagreb (h) 86% lines with Xhaka key player 81% overlapping full-backs and 17 Alex Iwobi 11 556 2 2 Min. 69% v Napoli (a) 61 Florentino 3 238 Min. 70% v Frankfurt (a) in build-up targets in wide positions 22 Denis Suárez 2 28 79 João Félix 6 493 3 1 • Excellent attacking • Influential midfielders 29 Matteo Guendouzi 11 664 1 support from Özil 83 Gedson Fernandes 6 428 able to hold possession 34 Granit Xhaka 9 760 3 Player statistics Player statistics confidently or connect • Fast, powerful forwards 43 Charlie Gilmour 2 20 Forwards with forwards and wingers Shots T OT G Aubameyang and Shots T OT G 10 Jonas 3 100 1 1 • Quick wingers, confident Forwards 1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 48 22 8 Lacazette 1 João Félix 14 5 3 11 Franco Cervi 4 285 1 and effective dribbling 9 Alexandre Lacazette 10 651 5 2 2 Alexandre Lacazette 21 9 5 • Positive impact from 2 Jonas 10 5 1 the ball 14 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang 12 934 8 3 3= Alex Iwobi 12 5 2 substitutions, displaying 14 Haris Seferović 5 335 1 3 Haris Seferović 9 6 1 • Excellent passing game; 23 Danny Welbeck 4 291 2 3= Aaron Ramsey 12 5 2 strength in depth 73 Jota 1 62 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals switching the game or 49 Eddie Nketiah 2 180 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals playing penetrating passes 55 Emile Smith Rowe 4 265 2 Passes A C % Passes A C % • Dangerous from open 59 Joe Willock 3 193 1 1 Matteo Guendouzi 621 566 91% 1 Rúben Dias 319 270 85% play and set pieces with 87 Bukayo Saka 2 112 2 Granit Xhaka 596 516 87% 2 Alex Grimaldo 285 223 78% great variety and excellent 3 Sokratis Papastathopoulos 580 539 93% 3 Gabriel 208 172 83% delivery App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

40 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 41 CHELSEA FC GNK DINAMO ZAGREB England Croatia

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Maurizio Sarri From second leg of QF v Slavia Praha Nenad Bjelica From first leg of last 16 v Benfica Born: 10/01/1959, Naples (ITA) Born: 20/08/1971, Nationality: Osijek (CRO) Italian Nationality: Head coach: Croatian 18 21 From 14/07/2018 to 16/06/2019 10 11 Head coach: European trophies won: 1 Since 15/05/2018 99 7 92

TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L Matches in UEFA 8 7 Matches in UEFA 14 34 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 25 19 4 2 17 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 9 5 2 2 33 28 Matches in European 30 27 Matches in European 22 66 28 30 club competition** 41 26 6 9 club competition** 30 14 9 7 1 40 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group L Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group D Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final PAO VID BTE BTE PAO VID MAL MAL DK DK SLP SLP EIN EIN ARS FEN AND TRN TRN FEN AND PLZ PLZ SLB SLB W 0-1 W 1-0 W 3-1 W 0-1 W 4-0 D 2-2 W 1-2 W 3-0 W 3-0 W 0-5 W 0-1 W 4-3 D 1-1 D 1-1* W 4-1 W 4-1 W 0-2 W 1-2 W 3-1 D 0-0 D 0-0 L 2-1 W 3-0 W 1-0 L 3-0*

Dark orange = home, yellow = away, white = final; see page 5 for full club names *Won 4-3 on penalties Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 36 10 17 0 16 8 29 2 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga 13 1200 243 89 40 Dominik Livaković 10 930 129 54 13 Willy Caballero 2 180 1 own goal 16.2 per match 5.9 per match 12.9 per match 5.4 per match Sent off: Defenders Stojanović v SLB (a), Time scored Time scored Defenders 2 1 90 T-Catherine v AND (a) 8 Sadegh Moharrami 4 4 7 2 Antonio Rüdiger 4 360 6 6 13 Amir Rrahmani 7 615 5 3 3 Marcos Alonso 4 335 2 1 22 Marin Leovac 4 315 3 2 2 1 21 Davide Zappacosta 10 719 1 1 28 Kévin Théophile-Catherine 9 840 24 Gary Cahill 4 360 0 0 0 30 Petar Stojanović 9 824 2 0 0 0 0 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 27 Andreas Christensen 15 1334 31 Marko Lešković 1 90 28 César Azpilicueta 9 695 55 Dino Perić 4 235 30 David Luiz 6 570 Averages Key features 66 Emir Dilaver 8 706 1 Averages Key features Chelsea Dinamo 33 Emerson Palmieri 11 1020 2 • 1-4-3-3 • 1-4-2-3-1, transitioning Possession Midfielders Possession • Full-backs participating to 1-4-1-4-1 or 1-4-4-2 in Midfielders 62% Max. 72% v Vidi (a) 4 Tongo Doumbia 1 9 44% Max. 57% v Spartak Trnava (a) Min. 48% v Arsenal (n) in attacking actions Min. 35% v Benfica (a) defending 4 Cesc Fàbregas 5 385 2 5 Arijan Ademi 6 540 • Building up from the • Very compact, schooled 5 Jorginho 11 740 Passes attempted back, employing 7 Dani Olmo 10 925 2 2 Passes attempted defensive line 7 N'Golo Kanté 10 579 Max. 833 v BATE (a) deep-lying midfielder 8 Izet Hajrović 7 568 3 1 Max. 423 v Spartak Trnava (a) • Good midfield and 665 Min. 433 v Arsenal (n) 320 Min. 242 v Anderlecht (a) 8 Ross Barkley 12 805 2 1 • High pressing; quick 14 Amer Gojak 10 807 2 defensive organisation with efficient transitions 10 Eden Hazard 8 451 2 2 attempts to regain 16 Mario Šitum 4 117 Passing accuracy possession Passing accuracy back to defence 11 Pedro Rodríguez 14 944 5 4 Max. 95% v Malmö (a) 27 Nikola Moro 4 181 Max. 80% v Anderlecht (a) 89% • Effective short passing 75% • Used transitions well while 12 Ruben Loftus-Cheek 11 716 4 3 Min. 81% v Frankfurt (h) 34 Ivan Šunjić 8 413 1 Min. 69% v Benfica (h), Fenerbahçe (a) and use of triangles maintaining discipline 15 Victor Moses 2 49 92 Damian Kądzior 5 190 • Calibrated and quick • Confident and effective 17 Mateo Kovačić 12 915 movements of players 99 Mislav Oršić 10 851 3 1 counterattacking game Player statistics on and off the ball Player statistics • Strong, athletic players; 20 Callum Hudson-Odoi 9 416 4 2 Forwards 22 Willian 15 899 3 7 Shots T OT G • Confident in possession Shots T OT G successful in 1v1 battles 9 Mario Budimir 2 6 44 Ethan Ampadu 3 128 1 Olivier Giroud 47 20 11 with dynamic movement 1 Mislav Oršić 26 10 3 • Consistent attacking 11 Mario Gavranović 8 412 1 3 2 Pedro Rodríguez 31 12 5 • Strong in one against one 2 Izet Hajrović 19 10 3 set-play threat with high Forwards quality delivery 3 Willian 27 9 3 situations; individuals with 20 Iyayi Atiemwen 2 37 3 Dani Olmo 16 8 2 good dribbling skills • Good link-up play through 9 Gonzalo Higuaín 1 24 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 21 Bruno Petković 9 514 2 3 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 18 Olivier Giroud 14 1124 11 5 95 Komnen Andrić 1 1 Petković, with strong ability to hold up the ball 29 Álvaro Morata 4 231 2 Passes A C % Passes A C % 1 Andreas Christensen 1061 1004 95% 1 Dani Olmo 331 238 72% 2 Mateo Kovačić 761 705 93% 2 Mislav Oršić 297 219 74 % 3 Emerson Palmieri 703 623 89% 3 Amer Gojak 296 248 84% App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

42 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 43 FC DYNAMO KYIV EINTRACHT FRANKFURT Ukraine Germany

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Aleksandr Khatskevich From first leg of last 16 v Chelsea Adolf Hütter From first leg of semi-final v Chelsea Born: 19/10/1973, Born: 11/02/1970, Minsk (BLR) Hohenems (AUT) Nationality: Nationality: Belarusian Austrian 8 Head coach: 43 Head coach: 11 Since 02/06/2017 Since 01/07/2018 10 24 29 10 15 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L Matches in UEFA 8 5 Matches in UEFA 17 5 20 8 7 5 33 16 10 7 20 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 16 94 Europa League/UEFA Cup* Matches in European 30 26 Matches in European 3 13 19 club competition** 31 12 12 7 club competition** 45 20 10 15 71 31 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group K Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group H Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final AST JAB REN REN AST JAB O LY O LY CHE CHE OM LAZ APO APO OM LAZ SHK SHK INT INT SLB SLB CHE CHE D 2-2 D 2-2 W 1-2 W 3-1 W 0-1 L 0-1 D 2-2 W 1-0 L 3-0 L 0-5 W 1-2 W 4-1 W 2-0 W 2-3 W 4-0 W 1-2 D 2-2 W 4-1 D 0-0 W 0-1 L 4-2 W 2-0* D 1-1 D 1-1**

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *Won on away goals **Lost 4-3 on penalties

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 13 17 23 1 30 14 39 3 1 Georgiy Bushchan 1 90 93 41 1 Frederik Rønnow 2 180 202 70 71 Denys Boyko 9 810 9.3 per match 4.1 per match Sent off: 31 Kevin Trapp 12 1110 2 own goals 14.4 per match 5 per match Sent off: Shepeliev v REN (a) Willems v OM (a), Defenders Time scored Defenders Time scored Stendera v APO (a), 4 6 6 6 5 N’Dicka v SLB (a) 9 Mykola Morozyuk 4 177 1 3 2 Evan N'Dicka 9 708 1 16 Vitaliy Mykolenko 8 720 1 2 2 2 3 Simon Falette 7 598 1 3 3 17 Sidcley 5 370 1 1 13 Martin Hinteregger 7 660 1 1 23 Josip Pivarić 2 180 0 0 0 0 15 Jetro Willems 11 512 1 0 0 0 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 26 Mykyta Burda 10 900 19 David Abraham 8 728 30 Artem Shabanov 3 270 23 Marco Russ 4 292 44 Tamás Kádár 7 630 Averages Key features 24 Danny da Costa 14 1256 2 2 Averages Key features Dynamo Kyiv Frankfurt 94 Tomasz Kędziora 10 900 1 1 • 1-4-2-3-1; also 1-4-5-1 or 33 Taleb Tawatha 3 165 1 • 1-3-5-2; also 1-3-4-1-2 Possession Possession 1-4-1-4-1 when defending and 1-4-4-2 Midfielders 49% Max. 62% v Jablonec (h) Midfielders 47% Max. 56% v Shakhtar Donetsk (a) Min. 39% v Chelsea (h) • Deep defensive blocks with Min. 36% v Marseille (a), Chelsea (h) • Well-organised and 5 Serhiy Sydorchuk 8 468 counterattacking focus 5 Gelson Fernandes 9 772 confident defence, 6 Tchê Tchê 4 208 1 Passes attempted • Defending in two blocks 6 Jonathan de Guzmán 9 372 3 Passes attempted supported by 20 Hasebe 7 Benjamin Verbič 7 600 3 Max. 642 v Jablonec (h) of four defenders and five 10 Filip Kostić 12 1035 4 2 Max. 487 v Shakhtar Donetsk (a) • Good team shape, 462 Min. 384 v Chelsea (h) 392 Min. 290 v Chelsea (h) 8 Volodymyr Shepeliev 9 634 midfielders 11 Mijat Gaćinović 14 1126 2 6 structure and organisation 10 Mykola Shaparenko 7 551 1 • Influential goalkeeper, 16 Lucas Torro 3 185 1 • Good cooperation Passing accuracy strong in 1v1 situations Passing accuracy and distances between 15 Viktor Tsygankov 9 804 2 4 Max. 90% v Olympiacos (a) 17 Sebastian Rode 8 615 1 1 Max. 86% v Shakhtar Donetsk (a) 84% • Athletic, strong and hard- 77% the lines 18 Oleksandr Andriyevskiy 2 18 Min. 80% v Rennes (a), Olympiacos (h) 20 Makoto Hasebe 14 1232 Min. 68% v Chelsea (h) working players • Predominantly attack- 19 Denys Garmash 8 399 2 21 Marc Stendera 4 103 • Energetic players minded approach; all 29 Vitaliy Buyalskiy 7 600 2 2 (Garmash, Shaparenko) 27 Nicolai Müller 4 139 lines contributing to Player statistics covering a lot of ground Player statistics attacking game 40 Heorhii Tsitaishvili 1 31 Forwards 45 Yevhenii Smirniy 2 10 Shots T OT G • Tactical flexibility with Shots T OT G • Ball moved forward 4 Ante Rebić 9 503 1 2 quickly with confident 99 Mikkel Duelund 3 21 1 Viktor Tsygankov 14 8 2 midfield adjustments 1 Luka Jović 46 17 10 8 Luka Jović 14 953 10 1 players in possession 2 Vitaliy Buyalskiy 11 5 2 • Danger from set pieces; 2 Mijat Gaćinović 27 13 2 Forwards • Wing-backs providing 3= Benjamin Verbič 9 5 3 good execution and 9 Sébastien Haller 10 770 5 2 3 Sébastien Haller 25 10 5 9 Fran Sol 2 172 1 3= Denys Garmash 9 4 2 deliveries from Tsygankov 39 Gonçalo Paciência 6 66 1 consistent support 3= Serhiy Sydorchuk 9 4 0 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals to attack 41 Artem Besedin 2 156 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Strong, athletic and 43 Nazariy Rusyn 4 165 Passes A C % Passes A C % hard-working players 89 Vladyslav Supriaha 2 17 1 Makoto Hasebe 598 522 87% 1 Mykyta Burda 572 518 91% 2 Tomasz Kędziora 453 359 79% 2 Filip Kostić 432 303 70% 3 Volodymyr Shepeliev 415 383 92% 3 Kevin Trapp 416 274 66% App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

44 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 45 FC INTERNAZIONALE MILANO FC KRASNODAR Italy Russia

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Luciano Spalletti From first leg of last 16 v Eintracht Frankfurt Oleg Fomenko From first leg of last 16 v Valencia Born: 07/03/1959, Born: 03/08/1972, Certaldo (ITA) Grozny (RUS) Nationality: Nationality: Italian Russian 16 10 6 7 Head coach: 44 16 Head coach: 09/06/2017 to 30/05/2019 Since 04/05/2018 14 20 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L 8 77 Matches in UEFA 77 8 Matches in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup* 41 24 6 11 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 10 4 3 3 89 98 5 4 Matches in European 18 37 6 33 Matches in European club competition** 118 61 21 36 club competition** 10 4 3 3 1 39 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group B (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group J Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final TOT PSV BAR BAR TOT PSV RPD RPD EIN EIN AKH SEV STD STD AKH SEV BL BL VAL VAL W 2-1 W 1-2 L 2-0 D 1-1 L 1-0 D 1-1 W 0-1 W 4-0 D 0-0 L 0-1 W 0-1 W 2-1 L 2-1 W 2-1 W 2-1 L 3-0 D 0-0 D 1-1* L 2-1 D 1-1

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *Krasnodar win on away goals

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 5 1 12 0 11 12 23 1 1 Samir Handanovič 4 360 49 17 1 Stanislav Kritsyuk 4 360 131 43 12.3 per match 4.3 per match 39 Matvei Safonov 5 450 13.1 per match 4.3 per match Sent off: Defenders Ramirez v SEV (a) Time scored 88 Andrei Sinitsin 1 90 Time scored 6 Stefan de Vrij 3 270 2 5 Defenders 13 Andrea Ranocchia 2 118 1 1 1 1 3 Jón Gudni Fjóluson 2 180 18 Kwadwo Asamoah 3 270 2 2 4 Aleksandr Martynovich 9 810 1 1 21 Cédric 4 253 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 Uroš Spajić 9 810 0 0 0 0 0 23 João Miranda 2 103 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 Cristian Ramirez 8 678 33 Danilo D'Ambrosio 3 188 22 Ivan Taranov 1 1 37 Milan Škriniar 3 257 Averages Key features 49 Roman Shishkin 1 13 Averages Key features Internazionale Krasnodar • 1-4-2-3-1; switch to 98 Sergei Petrov 10 801 2 • 1-4-2-3-1; switch to Midfielders Possession Possession three-man defence 1-4-4-2 when pressing 8 Matías Vecino 4 360 1 57% Max. 67% v Rapid Wien (a) Midfielders 50% Max. 64% v Standard Liège (h) Min. 47% v Frankfurt (a) with wing-backs when Min. 33% v Leverkusen (h) high; to 1-4-3-3 when 11 Keita Baldé 1 90 chasing game 7 Wanderson 10 850 1 2 chasing game 14 Radja Nainggolan 2 172 Passes attempted • Tactical flexibility, able 8 Yuri Gazinski 9 748 1 1 Passes attempted • High and disciplined Max. 661 v Rapid Wien (h) to react well to in-game Max. 689 v Akhisar (h) defensive line; high 541 14 Kristoffer Olsson 4 311 507 16 Matteo Politano 4 272 1 Min. 433 v Frankfurt (h) situations Min. 313 v Leverkusen (h) pressing 16 Viktor Claesson 9 772 2 1 20 Borja Valero 4 270 • Building from the back • Tactical flexibility 17 Pavel Mamaev 2 142 1 44 Ivan Perišić 4 328 1 1 Passing accuracy from goalkeeper; rarely Passing accuracy with impact players 20 Christian Cueva 6 259 84% Max. 89% v Rapid Wien (h) using long balls 83% Max. 89% v Akhisar (h) on the bench 77 Marcelo Brozović 2 152 Min. 77% v Frankfurt (a) Min. 71% v Leverkusen (h) • Patient build-up with 33 Mauricio Pereyra 9 492 1 • Full-backs attacking 87 Antonio Candreva 4 224 1 short passing style 50 Artem Golubev 2 11 wide areas and providing support Forwards • Good use of width with 70 Tornike Okriashvili 1 6 1 Player statistics Player statistics when going forward wingers (Politano, Perišić) 77 Charles Kaboré 9 772 1 10 Lautaro Martínez 3 246 1 cutting inside to deliver • Composed and Shots T OT G Shots T OT G 68 Davide Merola 1 10 shots or crosses 89 Dmitri Stotski 8 482 comfortable under 1 Ivan Perišić 9 4 1 93 Magomed Suleymanov 8 129 3 1 Wanderson 28 9 1 pressure 70 Sebastiano Esposito 1 17 • Defending in numbers; 2 Matteo Politano 6 2 1 2 Viktor Claesson 21 6 2 swift reorganisation to Forwards • Constructive build-up from 3 Matías Vecino 5 2 1 drop behind ball 3 Ivan Ignatyev 15 5 0 the back with good use of 9 Ari 6 387 2 1 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Intermediate midfield T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals full width of the pitch pressing, high defensive 85 Ivan Ignatyev 6 305 • Effective wing play with Passes A C % press on occasions Passes A C % Wanderson quick, agile 1 Matías Vecino 223 190 85% • Consistent threat from 1 Yuri Gazinski 538 457 85% and dangerous in 1v1s 2 Kwadwo Asamoah 208 181 87% deep, with three goals 2 Charles Kaboré 535 442 83% • Good movement between 3 Borja Valero 205 182 89% and two assists from 3 Aleksandr Martynovich 525 469 89% the lines by Gazinski, midfielders orchestrating transitions App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

46 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 47 SSC NAPOLI STADE RENNAIS FC Italy France

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Carlo Ancelotti From first leg of last 16 v Salzburg Julien Stéphan From second leg of last 16 v Arsenal Born: 10/06/1959, Reggiolo (ITA) Born: 18/09/1980, Nationality: Rennes (FRA) Italian Nationality: French Head coach: 11 Since 23/05/2018 14 99 Head coach: European trophies won: 6 Since 03/12/2018 18 14 7 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L 20 8 5 7 Matches in UEFA Matches in UEFA 8 21 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 32 17 6 9 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 5 3 1 1 6 26 19 23 15 27 Matches in European Matches in European 4 3 club competition** 208 116 47 45 club competition** 5 3 1 1 1 40 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group C (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group K Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final CRV LIV PAR PAR CRV LIV FCZ FCZ SBG SBG ARS ARS JAB AST DK DK JAB AST BTS BTS ARS ARS D 0-0 W 1-0 D 2-2 D 1-1 W 3-1 L 1-0 W 1-3 W 2-0 W 3-0 L 3-1 L 2-0 L 0-1 W 2-1 L 2-0 L 1-2 L 3-1 W 0-1 W 2-0 D 3-3 W 1-3 W 3-1 L 3-0

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 9 7 11 0 16 16 23 0 1 Alex Meret 6 540 86 28 16 Abdoulaye Diallo 3 270 139 51 1 own goal 14.3 per match 4.7 per match 40 Tomáš Koubek 7 630 2 own goals 13.9 per match 5.1 per match Defenders Time scored Defenders Time scored 2 Kevin Malcuit 2 102 1 3 3 3 2 Mehdi Zeffane 6 463 2 6 Mário Rui 4 289 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 Damien Da Silva 10 900 13 Sebastiano Luperto 3 138 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 Mexer 7 630 19 Nikola Maksimović 4 316 0 0 0 0 15 Ramy Bensebaini 9 690 1 0 0 21 Vlad Chiricheş 3 224 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 20 Gerzino Nyamsi 1 74 23 Elseid Hysaj 4 360 24 Ludovic Baal 1 27 26 Kalidou Koulibaly 5 450 Averages Key features 26 Jérémy Gelin 7 298 Averages Key features Napoli Rennais 31 Faouzi Ghoulam 3 237 • 1-4-4-2; also 1-4-4-1-1 when 27 Hamari Traore 8 676 • 1-4-2-3-1; also 1-4-1-4-1 Possession Possession Insigne supported Milik and 1-4-4-2 Midfielders 57% Max. 67% v Arsenal (h) Midfielders 50% Max. 62% v Astana (h) Min. 39% v Salzburg (a) • Compact defence with Min. 27% v Betis (h) • Tactical flexibility 5 Allan 6 443 zonal defending and 6 Jakob Johansson 4 208 and ability to adapt 8 Fabián Ruiz 5 443 1 Passes attempted clear tactical discipline 7 Ismaïla Sarr 9 734 4 3 Passes attempted to opponents and Max. 712 v Zürich (h) • Predominantly patient 8 Clément Grenier 9 756 2 1 Max. 585 v Astana (h) game situations 11 Adam Ounas 4 115 1 1 590 Min. 444 v Salzburg (a) 419 Min. 247 v Betis (h) build-up with Fabián Ruiz 12 James Lea Siliki 6 278 1 • Active early pressing 20 Piotr Zieliński 6 476 1 and Allan key players and high defensive line 14 Benjamin Bourigeaud 10 648 1 1 42 Amadou Diawara 4 161 Passing accuracy in midfield Passing accuracy • Compact, disciplined 21 Benjamin Andre 8 708 1 84% Max. 88% v Zürich (h) • Build-up also with 81% Max. 86% v Astana (a) defence, supported Min. 76% v Salzburg (a) Min. 73% v Jablonec (a) Forwards vertical passes 22 Romain Del Castillo 4 150 by forward-thinking 7 José Callejón 5 450 1 2 bypassing the midfield 23 Adrien Hunou 6 276 2 goalkeeper 9 Simone Verdi 1 90 1 • Switching play 28 Denis Will Poha 2 167 • Excellent off-ball Player statistics with diagonal balls Player statistics movement and 14 Dries Mertens 5 360 2 Forwards recovery skills Shots T OT G • Creative wing play Shots T OT G 24 Lorenzo Insigne 5 319 1 with dangerous crosses 9 Theoson Siebatcheu 3 184 1 • Good occupation of 1 Arkadiusz Milik 16 8 2 1 M'Baye Niang 20 5 1 34 Amin Younes 3 39 11 M'Baye Niang 9 542 1 1 the field and links 2= Lorenzo Insigne 10 3 1 • Quick combinations 2 Ismaïla Sarr 19 9 4 with rapid transitions between lines 99 Arkadiusz Milik 6 388 2 1 2= Fabián Ruiz 10 2 1 18 Hatem Ben Arfa 9 594 2 1 3= Clément Grenier 16 7 2 • Good use of width with 2= Piotr Zieliński 10 2 1 • Good play between the 3= Ramy Bensebaini 16 2 1 quick transitions and T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals lines through Insigne, T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals Callejón, Fabián Ruiz attacks over the wings Passes A C % and Zieliński Passes A C % • Excellent work ethic 1 Fabián Ruiz 358 310 87% 1 Clément Grenier 511 411 80% throughout team; 2 Kalidou Koulibaly 335 297 89% 2 Damien Da Silva 414 360 87% forwards tracking back 3 Piotr Zieliński 314 275 88% 3 Benjamin Andre 357 290 81% to assist midfielders App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

48 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 49 FC SALZBURG SEVILLA FC Austria Spain

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Marco Rose From first leg of last 16 v Napoli Pablo Machín From second leg of last 16 v Slavia Praha Born: 11/09/1976, Born: 07/04/1975, Leipzig (GER) Soria (ESP) Nationality: Nationality: German Spanish 19 9 Head coach: 9 18 Head coach: 01/07/2017 to 30/06/2019 28/05/2018 to 15/03/2019 13 7 17 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L 21 10 16 Matches in UEFA 16 42 Matches in UEFA 8 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 24 15 5 4 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 10 6 1 3 3 4 6 Matches in European 17 6 15 22 Matches in European club competition** 34 21 9 4 club competition** 16 12 1 3 33 1 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group B Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group J Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final LEI CEL RBK RBK LEI CEL BRU BRU NAP NAP STD KRA AKH AKH STD KRA LAZ LAZ SLP SLP W 2-3 W 3-1 W 3-0 W 2-5 W 1-0 W 1-2 L 2-1 W 4-0 L 3-0 W 3-1 W 5-1 L 2-1 W 6-0 W 2-3 L 1-0 W 3-0 W 0-1 W 2-0 D 2-2 L 4-3*

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 25 12 21 0 26 12 20 3 33 Alexander Walke 10 900 178 63 1 Tomáš Vaclík 10 885 139 56 1 own goal 17.8 per match 6.3 per match 13 Juan Soriano 1 45 2 own goals 13.9 per match 5.6 per match Sent off: Defenders Gómez v AKH (a), Time scored Time scored 5 Albert Vallci 1 13 Defenders Sarabia v STD (a), 7 7 Vázquez v LAZ (h) 6 Jérôme Onguéné 5 450 5 3 Sergi Gómez 9 806 1 5 5 4 4 15 André Ramalho 9 810 1 4 Simon Kjær 7 660 3 3 2 2 2 17 Andreas Ulmer 10 900 5 1 11 Aleix Vidal 3 232 1 1 22 Stefan Lainer 10 900 2 0 0 0 14 Maximilian Wöber 1 45 0 0 0 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 34 Marin Pongračić 6 527 1 18 Sergio Escudero 4 261

Midfielders 23 Guilherme Arana 4 301 2 Averages Key features 24 Joris Gnagnon 2 180 Averages Key features 4 Amadou Haidara 4 360 1 Salzburg Sevilla • 1-4-3-1-2; 1-4-4-2 with 25 Gabriel Mercado 6 540 1 • 1-3-5-2 7 Reinhold Yabo 2 76 Possession Possession midfield diamond • Well-organised defence 8 Diadié Samassékou 10 885 54% Max. 66% v Celtic (h) Midfielders 55% Max. 67% v Standard Liège (a) Min. 45% v Club Brugge (h), Leipzig (a) • High pressing starting with Min. 49% v Lazio (h) led by Kjær 13 Hannes Wolf 10 772 1 3 5 Ibrahim Amadou 6 190 forwards on opposition • High pressing with quick 14 Dominik Szoboszlai 1 74 1 Passes attempted defenders 6 Daniel Carriço 6 451 Passes attempted transitions when regaining 16 Zlatko Junuzović 8 516 1 Max. 659 v Celtic (h) • Good off-ball movement 7 Roque Mesa 9 661 1 1 Max. 629 v Krasnodar (h) possession 473 Min. 304 v Club Brugge (h) 526 Min. 441 v Slavia Praha (h) 18 Takumi Minamino 10 396 4 1 with forwards dropping 8 Nolito 4 186 1 1 • Deep playmaker Banega, deep to recover 24 Christoph Leitgeb 3 27 1 10 Éver Banega 8 716 4 3 dropping to build attacks Passing accuracy possession Passing accuracy out of defence; providing 42 Xaver Schlager 8 626 1 1 15 Maxime Gonalons 1 46 81% Max. 88% v Celtic (h) • Very fast transitions to 83% Max. 90% v Krasnodar (h) balance 45 Enock Mwepu 5 200 Min. 71% v Leipzig (h), Leipzig (a) 16 Jesús Navas 8 632 2 Min. 73% v Slavia Praha (a) attack, with Schlager and • Patient build-up from deep, Junuzović dynamic players Forwards 17 Pablo Sarabia 8 445 2 2 but quicker transitions in • Quick combinations to 20 Marko Rog 3 115 more advanced positions 9 Munas Dabbur 10 856 8 Player statistics Player statistics break through 22 Franco Vázquez 9 615 2 • Wing-backs penetrating 11 Smail Prevljak 4 25 Shots T OT G • Determined, committed Shots T OT G forward when attacking; 20 Patson Daka 4 156 2 and willing players with Forwards good cross delivery 1 Munas Dabbur 37 17 8 1 Éver Banega 19 5 4 21 Fredrik Gulbrandsen 9 429 5 1 positive mentality 9 Wissam Ben Yedder 8 621 8 2 Fredrik Gulbrandsen 29 13 5 2 Wissam Ben Yedder 17 12 8 • Attacking midfielders • Attack-minded philosophy making runs beyond 30 Erling Braut Håland 1 4 3 Hannes Wolf 24 6 1 12 André Silva 6 313 3 Quincy Promes 15 7 1 • Overlapping full-backs, forwards T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 14 Luis Muriel 5 242 2 2 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals using full width and 19 Munir 3 199 2 • Confident in possession delivering dangerous and when under pressure; Passes A C % crosses 21 Quincy Promes 10 757 1 3 Passes A C % positive mentality 1 André Ramalho 556 504 91% 1 Éver Banega 641 543 85% • Determination to control 2 Andreas Ulmer 515 414 80% 2 Sergi Gómez 472 410 87% games with variety of 3 Stefan Lainer 489 377 77% 3 Roque Mesa 462 414 90% attacking approaches App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

50 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 51 SK SLAVIA PRAHA VALENCIA CF Czech Republic Spain

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Jindřích Trpišovský From second leg of last 16 v Sevilla Marcelino From second leg of semi-final v Arsenal Born: 27/02/1976, Born: 14/08/1965, Prague (CZE) Villaviciosa (ESP) Nationality: Nationality: Czech Spanish 9 19 Head coach: 17 Head coach: Since 22/12/2017 21 Since 23/05/2017 7 18 TOTAL W D L TOTAL W D L 18 33 27 28 Matches in UEFA 22 Matches in UEFA 17 10 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 24 8 5 11 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 30 18 6 6 14 21 19 13 15 Matches in European Matches in European 5 24 club competition** 33 15 6 12 club competition** 40 22 9 9 1 13 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group C Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group H (UEFA Champions League) Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final BOR ZEN FCK FCK BOR ZEN GNK GNK SEV SEV CHE CHE JUV MU YB YB JUV MU CEL CEL KRA KRA VLR VLR ARS ARS W 1-0 L 1-0 W 0-1 D 0-0 L 2-0 W 2-0 D 0-0 W 1-4 D 2-2 W 4-3* L 0-1 L 4-3 L 0-2 D 0-0 D 1-1 W 3-1 L 1-0 W 2-1 W 0-2 W 1-0 W 2-1 D 1-1 W 1-3 W 2-0 L 3-1 L 2-4

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names *After extra time Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 17 14 31 0 14 10 15 0 1 Ondřej Kolář 12 1110 160 57 13 Neto 8 720 89 32 1 own goal 13.3 per match 4.8 per match 11.1 per match 4 per match Defenders Defenders Time scored Time scored 5 9 803 1 1 4 3 238 Vladimír Coufal 5 Facundo Roncaglia 5 12 Jaroslav Zelený 1 90 4 5 Gabriel 6 495 3 3 3 13 Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui 11 941 1 12 Mouctar Diakhaby 6 540 1 2 15 Ondřej Kúdela 9 840 1 1 1 14 José Gayà 4 360 1 1 1 1 18 Jan Bořil 11 1020 0 0 0 15 Lato 4 360 1 1 0 0 0 0 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 19 Simon Deli 9 662 1 21 Cristiano Piccini 5 346 25 Michal Frydrych 6 124 24 Ezequiel Garay 5 383 33 Alex Král 6 467 1 Averages Key features Averages Key features Slavia Midfielders Valencia CF • 1-3-5-2; also 1-4-3-1-2 • 1-4-4-2; also 1-5-3-2 for Midfielders Possession 6 Geoffrey Kondogbia 2 180 Possession and 1-4-2-3-1 first leg of semi-final 6 Jan Sýkora 2 124 48% Max. 56% v København (h) 7 Gonçalo Guedes 8 507 3 1 47% Max. 58% v Arsenal (h) Min. 42% v Sevilla (a) • Dynamic defensive Min. 39% v Celtic (a) • Deep, compact defence 8 Jaromír Zmrhal 12 883 2 8 Carlos Soler 7 508 structure with cover • Quick transitions from 10 Josef Hušbauer 7 543 2 Passes attempted from midfield when left 10 Daniel Parejo 7 557 1 1 Passes attempted defence to attack 17 Miroslav Stoch 12 888 2 1 Max. 472 v Zenit (a) wing-back Bořil advances 11 Denis Cheryshev 4 194 1 2 Max. 605 v Celtic (h) 403 Min. 325 v Sevilla (a) 463 Min. 381 v Krasnodar (a) • Counterattacking 20 Alexandru Băluţă 4 60 • Balance provided by 17 Francis Coquelin 7 439 style; forwards Souček, occupying a free 22 Tomáš Souček 11 1020 2 3 18 Daniel Wass 7 545 1 1 positioning themselves Passing accuracy role ahead of defence Passing accuracy for quick breaks 23 Petr Ševčík 3 258 2 1 20 Ferrán Torres 4 260 78% Max. 84% v Bordeaux (a), Zenit (a) • Hard-working, energetic 85% Max. 90% v Celtic (h), Arsenal (h) Min. 68% v Sevilla (a) Min. 74% v Krasnodar (a) • Direct approach to attack 27 Ibrahim-Benjamin Traoré 11 862 1 1 players with much Forwards • Full-backs and midfielders 28 Lukáš Masopust 5 341 movement 9 Kevin Gameiro 8 382 3 1 supporting attacks • Excellent tactical Forwards 16 Kangin Lee 2 36 • Disciplined team with Player statistics organisation with players Player statistics hard-working players 9 Peter Olayinka 9 467 able to adapt to different 19 Rodrigo 5 344 2 2 Shots T OT G Shots T OT G 11 Stanislav Tecl 2 108 positions 22 Santi Mina 6 299 • Well-prepared attacking 1 Miroslav Stoch 33 9 2 1 Kevin Gameiro 11 6 3 set plays 16 Jan Matoušek 4 177 1 • Building up from the back, 23 Rubén Sobrino 4 227 1 1 2 Jaromír Zmrhal 18 6 2 2 Daniel Parejo 10 4 1 14 Mick van Buren 4 64 1 looking for wide areas 3= Daniel Wass 9 5 1 3 Josef Hušbauer 17 4 0 with high wing-backs 21 Milan Škoda 8 360 2 1 3= Gonçalo Guedes 9 3 3 T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals • Quick transitions with 3= Rodrigo 9 3 2 fast, skilful players T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals Passes A C % • Immediate pressing Passes A C % 1 Tomáš Souček 579 460 79% and transition down to 1 Daniel Parejo 475 426 90% 2 Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui 457 385 84% defence with good cover 2 Francis Coquelin 315 288 91% 3 Jan Bořil 426 329 77% 3 Daniel Wass 288 242 84% App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

52 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 53 VILLARREAL CF FC ZENIT Spain Russia

Coach Team shape Coach Team shape Javier Calleja From second leg of last 16 v Zenit Sergei Semak From first leg of last 16 v Villarreal Born: 12/05/1978, Born: 27/02/1976, Alcala de Henares (ESP) Sychanske (UKR) Nationality: Nationality: Spanish Russian 22 7 Head coach: Head coach: Since 29/01/2019 9 7 Since 29/05/2018 11 20

TOTAL W D L 8 TOTAL W D L 27 25 Matches in UEFA 5 10 Matches in UEFA Europa League/UEFA Cup* 18 6 7 5 11 2 Europa League/UEFA Cup* 10 4 2 4 14 19 Matches in European 6 4 3 Matches in European 44 6 club competition** 18 6 7 5 club competition** 15 7 2 6 13 99 *Group stage to final **Including qualifying *Group stage to final **Including qualifying

Group G Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Group C Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final RAN SPM RPD RPD RAN SPM SCP SCP ZEN ZEN VAL VAL FCK SLP BOR BOR FCK SLP FEN FEN VLR VLR D 2-2 D 3-3 W 5-0 D 0-0 D 0-0 W 2-0 W 0-1 D 1-1 W 1-3 W 2-1 L 1-3 L 2-0 D 1-1 W 1-0 W 2-1 D 1-1 W 1-0 L 2-0 L 1-0 W 3-1 L 1-3 L 2-1

Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names Dark orange = home, yellow = away; see page 5 for full club names

Players used Team statistics Players used Team statistics App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards App Mins G A Goals scored Goals conceded Attempts On target Cards

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers 20 13 29 2 11 12 24 0 13 Andrés Fernández 12 1080 179 65 41 Mikhail Kerzhakov 2 116 77 26 1 own goal 14.9 per match 5.4 per match Sent off: 99 Andrei Lunev 9 784 7.7 per match 2.6 per match Defenders Costa v RPD (h) Time scored Time scored 2 Mario Gaspar 8 710 & v SPM (h) Defenders 4 4 4 3 Álvaro 7 630 1 3 3 3 2 Aleksandr Anyukov 6 510 3 4 Ramiro Funes Mori 10 819 2 6 Branislav Ivanović 8 720 1 6 Víctor Ruiz 10 900 1 13 Luís Neto 5 450 1 1 1 1 11 Jaume Costa 6 529 0 0 0 15 Elmir Nabiullin 5 376 1 0 0 0 0 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 Miguel Llambrich 5 354 1 19 Igor Smolnikov 6 479 23 Daniele Bonera 3 225 23 Miha Mevlja 3 270 24 Miguel Layún 3 165 Averages Key features 30 Emanuel Mammana 4 360 Averages Key features Villarreal Zenit 38 Andrei Ratiu 1 90 • 1-3-5-2; also 1-4-2-3-1 44 Yaroslav Rakits’kyy 4 360 • 1-4-4-2; also 1-3-4-3 Possession Possession and 1-4-3-3 39 Xavi Quintillà 1 90 53% Max. 64% v Rangers (a) Midfielders 47% Max. 57% v Villarreal (a) • Experienced, authoritative Min. 43% v Zenit (h) • Well-disciplined and Min. 41% v København (h) central defenders Midfielders 5 Leandro Paredes 5 450 1 well-organised defence • Applied immediate 5 Santiago Cáseres 9 574 Passes attempted • Patient build-up from the 8 Matías Kranevitter 4 315 Passes attempted pressure when losing 8 Pablo Fornals 12 877 3 3 Max. 635 v Valencia (a) back with deep midfielder 10 Claudio Marchisio 5 233 Max. 552 v Villarreal (a) possession 525 Min. 430 v Zenit (h) 421 Min. 327 v Fenerbahçe (h) 10 Vicente Iborra 5 264 1 (Santi Cazorla, Iborra) 14 Daler Kuzyaev 7 427 1 2 • Overlapping full-backs acting as link 14 Manu Trigueros 7 498 17 Oleg Shatov 6 219 with wingers tucking in Passing accuracy Passing accuracy • Comfortable in possession • Good attacking support 16 Alfonso Pedraza 8 563 1 Max. 91% v Valencia (h) 20 Róbert Mak 10 573 2 1 Max. 85% v Villarreal (a) 86% in all areas of the pitch; 81% provided by Mak; 18 Javi Fuego 4 259 Min. 77% v Spartak Moskva (a), Spartak Moskva (h) 21 Aleksandr Erokhin 5 409 Min. 75% v Fenerbahçe (a) keen to circulate the ball technically gifted player 19 Santi Cazorla 10 392 2 1 • Good use of width, 25 Wílmar Barrios 4 315 with strong dribbling skills 22 Daniel Raba 5 263 1 predominantly on left 27 Magomed Ozdoev 5 272 1 • Direct approach out Player statistics Player statistics 28 Manu Morlanes 5 315 1 with Costa, with good 33 Hernani 6 429 of defence, bypassing early crosses 30 Samu Chukwueze 9 502 1 1 Shots T OT G 38 Leon Musaev 1 2 Shots T OT G midfield and targeting • Team with good balance Dzyuba 1 Karl Toko Ekambi 27 10 3 1 Sardar Azmoun 10 6 3 Forwards and tactical discipline and Forwards 2 Gerard Moreno 26 11 4 2 Sebastian Driussi 10 0 0 • Dzyuba with excellent awareness; ability to adapt aerial ability and hold-up 7 Gerard Moreno 11 712 4 1 3 Samu Chukwueze 20 8 1 7 Sardar Azmoun 4 242 3 1 3 Hernani 7 2 0 9 Carlos Bacca 7 378 2 • Positive team spirit 9 Aleksandr Kokorin 1 27 1 skills; influential player T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals and confident attitude T = Total shots; OT = On target; G = Goals 10 Nicola Sansone 3 230 11 Sebastian Driussi 10 756 1 • Dangerous from set pieces • Consistent threat from with excellent delivery 17 Karl Toko Ekambi 7 450 3 3 Passes A C % varied attacking set plays 22 Artem Dzyuba 7 624 1 1 Passes A C % from Mak 1 Víctor Ruiz 567 495 87% 29 Anton Zabolotny 8 183 1 1 Branislav Ivanović 346 279 81% 2 Pablo Fornals 542 444 82% 2 Leandro Paredes 318 272 86% 3 Ramiro Funes Mori 443 392 88% 3 Andrei Lunev 301 222 74 % App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed App = Appearances; Mins = Minutes played; G = Goals; A = Assists A = Passes attempted; C = Passes completed

54 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE | TECHNICAL REPORT 2018/19 55 2019 Chelsea FC 2018 Club Atlético de Madrid 2017 Manchester United FC ROLL OF 2016 Sevilla FC ROLL OF 2015 Sevilla FC 2014 Sevilla FC 2013 Chelsea FC HONOUR 2012 Club Atlético de Madrid HONOUR 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 Feyenoord 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 1986 Real Madrid CF 1985 Real Madrid CF 1984 Tottenham Hotspur FC 1983 RSC Anderlecht 1982 IFK Göteborg 1981 Ipswich Town FC 1980 Eintracht Frankfurt 1979 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 1978 PSV Eindhoven 1977 Juventus 1976 Liverpool FC 1975 VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach 1974 Feyenoord 1973 Liverpool FC 1972 Tottenham Hotspur FC

57 Editorial Ben Gladwell, David Gough, Andrew Sam

UEFA technical observers Milenko Ačimovič, Cristian Chivu, Savvas Constantinou, Jerzy Engel, Hans Leitert, Stefan Majewski, Jarmo Matikainen, Ginés Meléndez, Mixu Paatelainen, Thomas Schaaf, Ghenadie Scurtul and Willibald Ruttensteiner

UEFA head of football education services Frank K Ludolph

UEFA publications manager Emmanuel Deconche

Managing editor Michael Harrold

Art director Oliver Meikle

Design Darlene Cossentino, Daniel Nutter, Fernando Pires

Sub-editors Andrew Haslam, Anthony Naughton

Statistics Rob Esteva, UEFA Data Services

Production Tessana Macleod, Kat Rickards

Translators French: Barbara Mazotti, Patrick Pfister, Cécile Pierreclos, Estefania Pio, Sébastien Plader, Anna Simon

German: Helene Kubasky, Florian Simmen, Sandra Wisniewski, Frédéric Wyler

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