That's a horrible challenge by Gonzalo, who rather callously catches Iborra on the back of the head with his studs. Very nasty.
90' +3
Sevilla still seem hopeful of adding a fourth. Vidal tackles Valero out wide and charges forward as the home side sniff another counter. He plays to his left for Banega, whose shot is blocked. The ball is worked back out to the right and Vitolo wins a free-kick.
90' +1
Fiorentina remain on the front foot and have another free-kick out on the right, but Sevilla clear their lines and then Banega seizes on an error, before winning a foul from Richards.
90'
There will be five minutes added on here.
87'
Fiorentina are enjoying some late pressure at the moment, as Alonso wins a free-kick from Iborra out wide. However, the resulting free-kick is headed comfortably over by Gonzalo.
85'
Mati steps up to the free-kick and curls another decent effort over the wall, but Rico gets down to palm it away. The save is greeted with a huge roar from the Sevilla fans.
84'
And now Krychowiak is guilty of a silly foul. The Pole hauls down the charging Valero and gets a booking for his trouble.
83'
G. Krychowiak gets yellow.
Tentative penalty claims turned down there for Fiorentina, as Joaquin charges inside Coke and races into the area. He tries to squeeze past the right-back, who barges him over. No penalty given.
81'
Sevilla are enjoying themselves out there now. Valero is again robbed of the ball and the hosts charge up the right, though they swiftly slow the tempo down and their passes are accompanied by shouts of "olé!" from the home support.
Minute
Description
80'
J. Iličić enters the game and replaces M. Gómez.
79'
Fiorentina are trying to find their way back into this and they attack up the left. Alonso drills a low cross in, which is partially dealt with by Iborra. The midfielder then clears at the second opportunity.
78'
Borja Valero gets yellow.
77'
IT SHOULD BE FOUR! Fiorentina are being torn to shreds here. Coke plays Vidal in behind Alonso and the winger cuts a fine pass into the danger area for Banega, who inexplicably misses the target.
75'
K. Gameiro enters the game and replaces C. Bacca.
K. Gameiro has scored a goal for Sevilla! Assist by Aleix Vidal.
Here comes another Sevilla change. Gameiro, who scored the vital goal in the semis, comes on to replace Bacca.
GOAL!!!! SEVILLA ARE CRUISING! The hosts have been sensational down the left today and they continue to ravage Fiorentina. Tremoulinas races up the wing, cuts a ball back to Vidal, who knocks it to Gameiro for an easy finish, just 26 seconds after coming on!
73'
Iborra enters the game and replaces S. M'Bia.
M'Bia cannot continue as he clutches his neck, seemingly as a result of that clash of heads. He makes way for Iborra, who has impressed in this competition this term.
71'
Coke charges forward from the back and is invited towards the area. He shapes to play Vidal in to his right, before opting to shoot himself. His effort is deflected up into the air and the right-back tries to collect it himself, before overreacting to a slight tangle with Alonso.
70'
Marcos Alonso gets yellow.
69'
We are back underway now, but it remains to be seen whether M'Bia will stay on.
68'
D. Pizarro enters the game and replaces M. Badelj.
Badelj has departed as a result of his head injury and replaced by Pizarro. M'Bia looks groggy, but he might be continuing.
67'
Two players are down in a heap here following a very nasty-looking clash of heads. Both Badelj and M'Bia look to be in some serious pain.
65'
Fiorentina are enjoying a few minutes of respite here, knocking the ball around at the back and in midfield. Sevilla are inviting them forward because they are so comfortable at the back at the moment.
63'
A rare Fiorentina attack in the second half sees Richards get forward up the right, but his low cross into the area is aimed towards no one in particular and Coke shepherds it out for a goal-kick.
61'
More excellent wing play by Tremoulinas, who is urged forward up the left. He crosses from the byline and Neto gets a punch to it to prevent Bacca from nodding in. Vidal tries to get on the loose ball, but Gonzalo hammers clear.
60'
Delightful football from the hosts. Vitolo appears on the right this time, before playing a one-two with Vidal. The latter races into the area and looks set to blast into the six-yard box again, but he produces a clever back-heel to his fellow winger, who can only skew wide.
59'
Coke is right into the thick of things for Sevilla. He is invited forward by Vidal, who is played into the area, before smashing a cross a little too high across the face of goal.
58'
Coke enters the game and replaces José Antonio Reyes.
First change for Sevilla here. Reyes is replaced by Coke, who will move to right-back and thus pushing Vidal further forward.
57'
Fiorentina just don't know what to do with Vitolo. The former Las Palmas winger charges in from the left, races across the edge of the area and pokes the ball through to Vidal, who appears to be felled by Valero. He gets back up, though, tries to link with Reyes and then the move falls apart as Alonso wins a free-kick.
56'
Richards get his first taste of attacking since his half-time introduction. The English defender plays a cross into the danger zone, but Kolo cuts it out well.
55'
The visitors aren't helping themselves at the moment. Again Montella's side surrender the ball in midfield, but Sevilla are in now hurry to pour forward and Tremoulinas slows the play down.
54'
Fiorentina have it all to do now! Sevilla have the two-goal cushion and the visitors must now pile men forward, effectively playing into the hosts' hands on the break.
52'
Aleix Vidal has scored a goal for Sevilla! Assist by Vitolo.
GOAL!!! SEVILLA HAVE THEIR SECOND! Badelj is caught in possession again as Vitolo capitalises. He races forward and cuts across towards the right, picking out the run of Vidal who strides into the box and beats Neto!
50'
Fiorentina try to catch Sevilla napping at the back with a break, but Valero is crowded out and the hosts counter again. Vidal finds Bacca in the area and he produces a smart turn, before passing to Banega on the right with a clever back-heel, but Vitolo can't get on the end of the eventual cross.
49'
Badlj is caught in possession just inside his own half and Krychowiak pounces. The Pole charges forward and plays Banega in to his right. The Argentine crosses and Bacca manages to bring it down, before Richards knocks Vitolo over.
48'
Mati steps up to the free-kick and curls the ball over the wall. His kick has beautiful shape on it and plenty of power, but it sails harmlessly wide of the left-hand post.
47'
Fiorentina are straight on to the attack. Joaquin darts in from the left and manages to squeeze past Carrico, who hauls the winger down and gets booked, much to the Portuguese defender's bemusement.
46'
Daniel Carriço gets yellow.
M. Richards enters the game and replaces N. Tomović.
Off we go for the second half!
There was one change at the break, as Tomovic was replaced by Micah Richads.
45' +4
HALF-TIME!
45' +3
CONTROVERSIAL DECISION! Krychowiak misses his kick on the edge of the area, but he is quick to pounce again and he prods the ball past Savic, who catches the Pole with a wild kick. Somehow Fiorentina escape, as the referee claims to have already blown his whistle for half-time. The hosts are not impressed.
45' +1
There will be two minutes added on here.
45'
Excellent play by Bacca, as the Colombian receives a pass and runs at the Fiorentina defence. He skips past one challenge and then carves open the defence with a pass to Vitolo, though the winger is flagged offside.
44'
Mati is over on the right this time, trying to find some luck against Tremoulinas following a Fiorentina throw-in. He produces a couple of fancy touches and a step-over, but the French full-back hits back with a well-timed challenge.
43'
After something of a delay, Sevilla get the action back underway and Rico - who only appeared to be winded - is fine to continue.
41'
That's another wicked delivery from Mati. He curls it in in powerful fashion and forces Rico into action. The goalkeeper punches clear again, despite the presence of Gonzalo, who crashes into the 21-year-old. Carrico and Kolo react, shoving the Argentine and the young stopper is seeking medical attention.
40'
Incisive run by Joaquin, as the Spaniard takes up possession on the left and drives inside. He holds off Vitolo, before eventually being felled. Again Mati stands overs the ball.
38'
Excellent delivery from Mati, as he powers the ball into the danger zone. Gomez looks destined to nod it goalwards, but Rico comes out and punches clear in commanding fashion.
37'
A few niggling fouls from Sevilla now, first by Krychowiak and now by Reyes on Joaquin. Mati stands over the free-kick about 35 yards from goal. What can they muster here.
35'
Excellent give-and-go down the right. Vidal passes to Krychowiak, continues his run and receives it back. The full-back darts past Alonso like he isn't there and then crosses. Bacca stumbles, but Vitolo is there to pounces, before accidentally knocking it out of play.
34'
Fiorentina are still seeing plenty of the ball and getting into the Sevilla half a lot, but the hosts are coping fairly well with Gomez so far, as both Carrico and Kolo keep an eye on him.
32'
Now that's a waste. Banega's right-footed delivery is well overhit and goes straight out for a goal-kick. He should have done better there.
31'
Vitolo is proving a real nuisance so far. Again he darts down the left, waits for Tomovic and then jolts forward, luring the right-back into a foul. This is a great position for the hosts.
30'
Fiorentina now have tentative penalty claims rejected, as Salah looks to dart in behind Tremoulinas in order to get on the end of Joaquin's pass. The Egyptian throws himself to the floor in theatrical fashion and nothing is given.
29'
Reyes has been a little quiet so far, but he tries to bring a change of tempo to the game as he takes up possession in the middle, swivels and heads for the visitors' goal. He plays a pass forward for Bacca, but he puts far too much on it and Neto collects.
27'
Tremoulinas might not be doing much at the back, but he is certainly proving a handful in attack. The left-back charges forward, links with Vitolo and then curls a fine cross into the six-yard box. Alonso chests it down and appears to bring M'Bia down, but the Sevilla protests for a penalty are ignored.
25'
ANOTHER MISS! How are Fiorentina now level? This time Tomovic takes on Tremoulinas and smashes a low cross into the danger zone. Salah meets it at the back post and prods it towards goal, but Rico makes the save.
24'
RICO SAVES! Mati's late runs are causing the Sevilla defence a few issues at the moment and he is there again. Again Joaquin is the architect, poking a pass into the area. The Chilean collects, but his effort from a tight angle is denied by the goalkeeper.
23'
Fiorentina struggle to deal with Kolo's long pass up from the back and Bacca causes problems in the process, throwing his weight around. Eventually the ball drops kindly for Vitolo, whose half-volley forces a save from Neto.
22'
Carrico finds himself in unfamiliar territory, as the centre-back takes up possession on the edge of the Fiorentina area. He plays Tremoulinas in down the left and his first-time cross is excellent. Savic is there to nod clear, though.
21'
Sevilla are doing well in the middle now. Krychowiak muscles Valero off the ball and picks out M'Bia, who is swiftly brought down by Mati Fernandez. Perhaps a little frustration from the miss shining through there?
19'
WHAT A MISS! Joaquin does brilliantly down the left, finding himself in behind Vidal and on the byline. The former Betis star picks out a precise cut-back for Mati Fernandez about five yards from goal, but he inexplicably skews wide.
17'
Aleix Vidal has scored a goal for Sevilla! Assist by C. Bacca.
GOAL!!! SEVILLA TAKE THE LEAD! And surprise, surprise, it is another counter-attacking goal! Vitolo's brilliant off-the-ball run down the left is picked out and he cuts the ball back to Bacca. The Colombian patiently holds play up and knocks the ball back to the edge of the area for Vidal, who blasts into the bottom-left corner.
16'
The Fiorentina corner causes trouble, as Gomez gets the flick-on and Rico opted not to come and collect. Sevilla press well, though, and eventually the sequence comes to an abrupt end when Gomez blazes over from 25 yards.
14'
Fiorentina respond and are back on the attack themselves, however. Tomovic races up the right and whips a teasing low delivery into the area for Gomez, but his touch is deflected wide by Kolo, who tracked him all the way.
13'
SEVILLA GO CLOSE! Fine build-up play by the hosts. Vidal and Reyes link up down the right and the full-back squeezes a cross into the danger area, but Bacca can't quite reach the delivery.
12'
More good play from Vitolo. The winger charges up through the middle and pokes a pass through to Bacca. The Colombian produces a clever turn to beat Tomovic, but his shot from 20 yards is easily gobbled up by Neto.
11'
Really good spell of pressure from Sevilla. The corner doesn't initially cause any problems as it is played short to Banega. The hosts eventually work things towards Vitolo in the left side of the area, but the Spain international handles.
10'
Sevilla play the corner short, but they work it back into the danger area very well. Eventually Vitolo digs a cross out from the left and it lands for M'Bia at the back post and the Cameroonian wins another set-piece after a good tackle by Gonzalo.
9'
Sevilla are growing into this now. Banega pounces on a loose ball and finds himself in acres of space. He has the time to invite Tremoulinas forward and find the Frenchman, who bursts into the final third and wins a corner.
8'
Banega swings the corner into the danger area and M'Bia manages to meet it with an audacious overhead-kick, though the whistle goes for an apparent infringement somewhere in the box.
7'
That's better from Sevilla, however. Vitolo chases a hopeful ball down and robs Gonzalo of it. He links with Reyes, who in turn finds the run of Vidal and the winger - who is playing right-back - wins a corner.
6'
SEVILLA ESCAPE! Excellent play by the visitors. Joaquin finds space on the left and plays a fine throughball in towards the area for Gomez, who gets a left-footed shot away. However, he smashes over, wasting a glorious opportunity.
5'
The visitors' quick pressing has been effective so far. Banega is struggling to get on the ball and therefore dictate things. Mati does well to snap at the Argentine this time, stealing possession back in the middle.
4'
Fiorentina are probing here. Gomez is proving a nuisance already and on this occasion he manages to bring Mati into play. The Chilean attempts to dribble through the middle of the hosts' defence, but Kolo deals fairly well with him and shepherds the ball out of play.
3'
The first few minutes have been very typical of Sevilla. So far in this season's competition, certainly against the bigger sides, the Spaniards have opted to sit back, soak up pressure and strike on the counter. In fact, they have scored six goals on the break, more than any other team in the Europa League.
1'
Off we go! Fiorentina get us started in Sevilla.
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of the UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg between Sevilla and Fiorentina. My name is Ryan Benson and I shall be describing the action for you today, as the holders host their Italian counterparts at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan looking to secure a second successive final in Europe's second-tier competition.
Sevilla coach Unai Emery has not had many injury concerns to take into consideration for today's game, though one of their two absentees is a major blow. Nico Pareja, the Argentine centre-back, picked up a serious knee injury against Zenit in the quater-finals and is expected to be out until October. Portuguese goalkeeper Beto is the other missing, though his horror show in the last round means Sergio Rico probably would have started anyway. Elsewhere in the team, Grzegorz Krychowiak starts despite breaking his nose against Real Madrid at the weekend, while winger Aleix Vidal starts at right-back.
Like Emery, Fiorentina tactician Vincenzo Montella has just two significant absentees, with Giuseppe Rossi and Khouma Babacar out. Nevertheless, the Italian is able to name a strong starting XI, which is rather Spain-inspired in some areas. Gonzalo Rodriguez, who spent many years at Villarreal, starts at centre-back, while Marcos Alonso, Borja Valero and Joaquin all return to their homeland. The latter in particular is sure to get a frosty reception, as the former Betis winger heads back home and to the stadium of his boyhood team's bitter rivals.
Sevilla, of course, are the reigning champions of this competition and come into the match in fine form, despite Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid. That loss was their first home reverse in La Liga since February 2014, though many will suggest they were unlucky not to at least claim a point. In this season's Europa League, Sevilla have been similarly impressive on their own soil, winning all six matches until now, while domestically they are in the midst of one of their great seasons, points-wise, in their history.
However, Fiorentina have reason to be optimistic. While they have lost four of their last five in Serie A, they are very much in the final four on merit. At home in the Europa League they have been somewhat erratic, though on the road they are unbeaten, a run which stretches all the way back to the beginning of last season. Montella will likely be expecting some joy down the flanks today against Sevilla's attack-minded full-backs, with Mo Salah and Joaquin set to be key to any potential away win to continue their impressive sequence on the road.
The atmosphere is building in Sevilla! The home fans' iconic anthem is ringing around the stadium as the players wait in the tunnel. Kick-off is just five minutes away!
Sevilla 1-0 Fiorentina: The referee brings the first half to a close and the home side take a slender lead into the break. It has been an engrossing first 45 minutes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Aleix Vidal's strike proving decisive so far. However, Fiorentina have looked bright in attack themselves, going close several times through Mati, Gomez and Salah. More of the same in the second half, please!
Sevilla 3-0 Fiorentina: The referee brings things to a close as the home side take a commanding lead to Florence ahead of the second leg. The away side may have put up a pretty good battle before the break, but Sevilla took charge in the second period and were absolutely rampant, dominating from start to finish in a swashbuckling display. Two goals from Vidal and a single effort courtesy of Gameiro did the damage, leaving the Italians with a mountain to climb in the second leg. The reigning champions, meanwhile, have one foot in the final.
Thanks for joining me today. I hope you have enjoyed the action. Farewell until next time.
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