Road to Warsaw, penultimate stop. Naples and Fiorentina, after a long tunnel that began in September, see the light of the final. But to get to the appointment on May 27, perhaps with a nice all-Italian derby, the last obstacles must be overcome. Dnipro and Sevilla have no intention of backing down, on the other hand there is a lot at stake: a prestigious trophy, participation in the European Super Cup, a Champions League placement. In short, most of the seasons of Napoli and Fiorentina pass from the semifinals, hand in glove with this blessed Europa League.
“It's a historic moment for us – admitted Rafa Benitez at the press conference. – Reaching the final would be very important for all of us, we will have to be fully concentrated”. It's hard to blame the Spanish coach: the Azzurri haven't won an international trophy since 1989, the year of the UEFA Cup triumph against Stuttgart.
It was the Naples by Maradona, Careca and Alemao, just to name a few, the most beautiful and successful ever seen. Today the blue people rely above all on Benitez, a true specialist of international trophies. The Spaniard has won 5, at least one with each big coach: UEFA Cup with Valencia in 2003/04, Champions League and European Super Cup with Liverpool (2004/05), Club World Cup with Inter (2010), Europa League with Chelsea (2012/13).
Needless to say, only Napoli is missing from the appeal, which the good Rafa, moreover, could leave at the end of the season. "De Laurentiis already knows what I want, now it's my agent's turn" he glossed over at the press conference, suggesting that he wanted to think only of the Dnipro. Adversary a little too underestimated by insiders, despite the fact that he has proven to be cynical and dangerous. "They concede few goals and have only lost two games in 2015," Benitez cautioned. – It will be a very difficult match but we will have the help of San Paolo”.
Complicated transfer, however, for Fiorentina, forced to start dancing in the Pizjuan bedlam. The Viola will face defending champion Sevilla, an emblazoned and decidedly uncomfortable opponent. In Spain they consider the match as a formality, as if the Andalusians were already in Warsaw. “But Emery is too experienced to think so – Montella smiled. – A very difficult match awaits us against a team of rank, we hope it will become an unforgettable evening. An incredible environment awaits us but we have players with great personalities, the climate can only exalt them".
One of these is definitely Mario Gomez, not surprisingly brought to the press room by the coach. "We want to hit the final, for us and for Florence" roared the German, one of the most awaited on the Pizjuan stage. There is an air of history, both in Naples and in Florence. The Europa League is waiting, now it's your turn.
