Europa League Final: Pellegrini the star in Sevilla vs Roma Combined XI
Europa League specialists Sevilla face off against Roma on Wednesday night as the pair seek European glory and a place in next season's Champions League. Using their unique rating system, WhoScored have made a combined XI ahead of the game in Budapest, with the Spanish side edging this side with six representatives to Roma's five.
Across his five outings in the Europa League this season, Bono has conceded just four goals as he seeks a second winners' medal in Europe's second competition. A return of 3.2 saves per 90 ranks 13th in the competition, helping the 32-year-old to a WhoScored rating of 7.11 to give him the edge over Rui Patricio in this combined XI.
A three-time Europa League winner features at right-back in this side. Jesus Navas may not have been at his best in the competition, but the 37-year-old has been a reliable performer at the back. Indeed, he's chipped in with a modest 1.4 tackles per 90, and that has helped return a WhoScored rating of 6.61.
A bulk of Bryan Cristante's Europa League appearances this season have come in central midfield, but having started Roma's semi-final showdown with Bayer Leverkusen at centre-back, we opted to plonk the Italian in defence for this XI. The 28-year-old has been key off the ball for Jose Mourinho's side in the competition, making more tackles (35) than any other player, to return a WhoScored rating of 7.13.
Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla) - 7.05
Partnering Cristante at the back, Nemanja Gudelj has been a solid performer at the heart of the Sevilla defence, as noted by a Europa League rating of 7.05. The 31-year-old has been difficult to get the better of, making 19 tackles, and has often been in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Sevilla goal, having made 23 clearances.
Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma) - 6.67
Rounding off the backline is Roma star Leonardo Spinazzola. Marcos Acuna (6.79) would have made the cut at left-back were it not for his dismissal against Juventus, but as such; Spinazzola (6.67) features in this XI. The Italy international has scored one and assisted another on the way to the Europa League final to contribute to his selection here.
Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma) - 7.33
The best rated player between both finalists' features in the middle of the park. Lorenzo Pellegrini has been directly involved in eight of Roma's 20 goals in the Europa League this season, scoring four, while 30 key passes, that the second most in the competition, has translated to four assists. This has contributed towards Pellegrini's WhoScored rating of 7.33.
The penultimate Roma player in the side, Nemanja Matic ranks third for tackles (28) and fourth for interceptions (22) in the Europa League this season, and his hard work off the ball has been vital in their progression to the final. Additionally, 16 successful dribbles ranks 15th in the competition, and that has seen Matic return a WhoScored rating of 7.08.
Ivan Rakitic ensures there is not an all-Roma midfield in the combined XI having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.06 in the Europa League this season. Despite only making eight appearances in Europe's second club competition, Rakitic's return of 19 key passes is the eighth most.
Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) - 7.10
He may have only registered 387 minutes of Europa League action this season, but Lucas Ocampos has been directly involved in three goals, scoring once, as he maximises his time on the pitch. A tenacious worker, the Argentine has also made a respectable 16 tackles to have helped return a WhoScored rating of 7.10.
Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla) - 7.17
The final Sevilla player in the side, Youssef En-Nesyri spearheads this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.17. The Moroccan hitman has scored four goals on the way to securing Sevilla's spot in the Europa League final, including a brace in a man of the match performance against Manchester United last month.
Completing this XI is Roma striker Paulo Dybala, who has garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.06 in the Europa League this season. The 29-year-old has been directly involved in five European goals for the Giallorossi, scoring four, while 17 key passes, the 12th best return, has helped secure his place in this side.
