Sevilla hungry for more success

May 2023

While the main focus in Europe this week will be on bagging silverware, the struggle for survival on the local front reaches a crescendo as Maritzburg United try to ensure their topflight status at the expense of Cape Town Spurs and Casric Stars.

By Mark Gleeson

Orlando Pirates lifting the trophy after Nedbank Cup success at the weekend was not the last act of the domestic football season. There’s still lots more drama to come.

The DStv Premiership promotion-relegation playoffs continue tomorrow with Maritzburg United looking to hold on to their topflight status under threat from Cape Town Spurs and Casric Stars.

The two National First Division sides started off on Sunday with Spurs winning in KwaMhlanga for three vital away points.

Maritzburg host Stars tomorrow and must then travel to Cape Town to take on Spurs on Saturday, which will mark the end of the first round of fixtures.

Maritzburg have spent the last 15 seasons in the top league and will be fancied as there is a distinct gulf in class and talent between the divisions. However, Spurs’ win on Sunday will be a major fillip in confidence for Shaun Bartlett’s team.

Tomorrow night also sees the Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla, which is being played in Hungary. Sevilla have participated in four previous Europa League finals (2014, 2015, 2016, 2020) and two UEFA Cups (2006, 2007), and won them all, defeating Italian opposition in the showpiece three seasons ago when they overcame Inter Milan 3-2 in Cologne.

Roma, who have never previously reached this stage of the Europa League, claimed their first major UEFA silverware 12 months ago when José Mourinho led them to a 1-0 victory against Feyenoord in Tirana as they became the first winners of the Europa Conference League.

Both clubs played on Saturday and lost. Roma conceded twice in the last six minutes as their Serie A top-four ambitions were ended by Fiorentina. They have not won since the Europa League semi-final first leg and are six games without a win away from the Italian capital. Sevilla suffered only their second loss in 15 matches in all competitions on Saturday when Real Madrid beat them. They have not won since booking their place in the Europa League final.

At the weekend, Manchester City continue their bid for the Treble as they take on neighbours Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

The two Manchester clubs have had some fiery derbies over the decades but Saturday’s clash at Wembley is the first time they will meet in the FA Cup final in the competition’s 152-year history.

Egypt’s Al Ahly can extend their record number of wins in the African Champions League this season but need a good win at home in the first leg of the final against Wydad Casablanca on Sunday.