Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjær has reached his first major final as a coach despite Manchester United's 3-2 loss to Roma at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday, with the English team winning 8-5 on aggregate in the two-legged semi-final of the Europa League. The Norwegian coach had previously exited the semi-final stage on four occasions during his tenure at Old Trafford, and despite today's defeat in Rome, the team comfortably advanced to the final, thanks to their impressive 6-2 win in the first leg last week.
Edinson Cavani scored United's first goal in the 39th minute, but Roma struck back with two consecutive goals in just three minutes at the beginning of the second half, through Edin Džeko and Bryan Cristante, turning the game around. United can thank David De Gea for not conceding further goals, as the Spanish goalkeeper saved a series of chances. Cavani equalized for United at 2-2 with a header, but a shot from young Nicola Zalewski (19 years old) in his first appearance for Roma deflected off Alex Telles and found the back of De Gea's net, ensuring the Italian team’s victory. However, United celebrated their qualification after the final whistle.
Villarreal Reaches First Major European Final
Spanish Villarreal has reached its first ever major European final after advancing to the Europa League final against its English host Arsenal, following a goalless draw that benefited them from a 2-1 victory at home in the first leg. Villarreal avenged Arsenal for ending the Spanish team's most significant run in the Champions League in the 2005-2006 season, when they eliminated them in the semi-finals, with German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann saving a last-minute penalty in the second leg.
If Villarreal wins the title, it will be their only key to participating in the Champions League next season due to their current sixth place in the domestic league, 18 points behind fourth-placed Sevilla with four matches remaining in the season. Coach Unai Emery returned to the Emirates Stadium, where he spent a season and four months before being sacked in November 2019, having led the Gunners to the final in 2019. Emery continued his expertise in the Europa League, having won the title three consecutive years (2014-2016) with Sevilla, in addition to the final in 2019 with Arsenal.
