MX23RW : Sunday, June 30 21:29:02| >> :600:200024:200024:
[monks data]
Sevilla logo
Europa League | Final
Aug 21, 2020 at 8pm UK
RheinEnergieStadion
Inter logo

Sevilla
3 - 2
Inter Milan

de Jong (12', 33'), Lukaku (74' og.)
Carlos (4'), Banega (44')
FT(HT: 2-2)
Lukaku (5' pen.), Godin (35')
Barella (41'), Bastoni (55'), Gagliardini (73')

Antonio Conte dismisses questions about his Inter future ahead of Europa League final

Antonio Conte dismisses questions about his Inter future ahead of Europa League final
© Reuters
The Serie A club take on Sevilla in Friday's showpiece.

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte dismissed questions about his future ahead of Friday's Europa League final against Sevilla by insisting he has learnt to "live in the moment".

Uncertainty surrounds Conte's position with the Serie A runners-up after he complained publicly of a lack of protection from the club and his work not being recognised.

The former Chelsea manager is on the cusp of guiding Inter to their first European trophy since they won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho a decade ago.

Conte has already expressed a desire to discuss his concerns with club president Steven Zhang at the end of the season but for the time being is fully focused on claiming glory in Cologne.

"Over the years I have learnt to take things one day at a time and at this moment in time I am really trying to savour this opportunity," the Italian told a press conference when asked if the final could be his last match as manager.

"I'm well aware that tomorrow is yet to come. Tomorrow I am going to try and experience and savour the final.

"That's what I have learnt to do over the course of my career, to live in the moment, to think about the here and now, and to try and experience it from every angle without any regrets."

Inter, three-time winners of the competition when it was known as the UEFA Cup, are set to face Sevilla for the first time.

The Spanish side are the most successful club in Europa League history having lifted the trophy on a record five occasions, most recently after beating Liverpool in the 2016 final.

Conte, whose team thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals, believes the opposition's previous successes give them an edge but insists his players must not approach the match with trepidation.

"I don't use the word fear, I don't want my players to have it in their lockers either," said Conte.

"We have a lot of respect for Sevilla because we really rate their experience and history in this competition.

"We have to give everything. We have less (Europa League) experience than them, and this gives them an advantage. The important thing is to be mentally free.

"There is only one way to write the history of a club: to win."

Sevilla, who finished fourth in LaLiga, have never lost a final in this competition and overcame Premier League clubs Wolves and Manchester United in the previous two rounds.

Head coach Julen Lopetegui is wary of the dangers Inter pose but has urged his players to enjoy the occasion and stick to their strengths as he seeks a maiden trophy of his managerial career at club level.

"We know all about the potential Inter have and the difficulties that lie in store for us," Lopetegui told a press conference.

Julen Lopetegui hopes to secure a sixth Europa League title for Sevilla
Julen Lopetegui hopes to secure a sixth Europa League title for Sevilla (PA)

"We need to be able to identify with what we do best and we also need to produce our best performance.

"We'll try to maximise our strengths and also be willing to dig in when the going gets tough. We have a solid, united team. We are able to read the game well.

"We are relaxed, we are calm and that's the calm that we need to have to make sure we are balanced and focused in the cup final

"This is a match that we have been striving for all season long and our aim is to go into the match fit and firing. We hope that the players can really enjoy and savour the match."

Inter forward Alexis Sanchez and Sevilla winger Lucas Ocampos are both injury doubts for the game.

ID:410995: cacheID:410995:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:15186:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sevilla celebrate winning the Europa League in 2016
Read Next:
Europa League final 2020: Sevilla's history in the UEFA Cup/Europa League
>
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Monday, July 1
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, July 2
 
5pm
 
8pm
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!