and the big night has arrived millions of viewers from around the world are tuning in for the uefa
europa league finals my name is derrick ray my co-commentator to help describe all the action
is the former arsenal defender lee dixon and with the atmosphere building to fever pitch
we're just minutes away from kickoff time here it's leicester city up against real betis well
night games european football where does it get any better well it does if you're in the final
but with finals they're horrible if you lose make sure you win if you get here
here's how leicester city will line up caspar schmeichel is the keeper
wilfred indeedy plays with yuri tilamans in the center of midfield
and the tactical configuration has two players in attack from the very outset
well here's the betty's starting 11. well there's no great mystery is there we know
normally how they're going to play and it's all about applying as much pressure as possible
lee can we anticipate seeing more of the same today yeah absolutely derek if you're
really good at something then why not they're very good at this all the team members have
bought into this style of play one player slacks off and it all falls apart though
indeedy madison with it
ricardo pereira
making excellent progress with the ball at his feet
evans promising attack miss defensive efficiency personified
alex moreno a striker who you can simply never write off jamie bardy of course has
so much know-how lee what do you expect we'll see from him well when you're playing against a
player sometimes you're trying to look at what his qualities are is he a good hold up player
is he quick is he this is he that but when somebody tells you he's a finisher you know
you're in big trouble party fed over towards the back post making sure nothing came of it
joaquin they've regained possession
james madison vardy
and the danger clear alex moreno now guadalupe with it
nabil fekir andres guardado throw-ins given
losing possession a bit easily
james madison
wanted to keep it but couldn't
mundy emerson nabil fekir and with it's joaquin
and fowler says then tileman's delightful pass party and offside just as he was ready to pounce
and he read it superbly
and a throw in it's going to be
rodriguez and it's iglesias in possession fakia
alex moreno canales well it's one pass after another
nabil fekir well just the tackle that was needed and stuffing out the danger
element of risk there but he's won the ball
fiancho
joaquin and the referee is quite rightly letting it go
borja iglesias andres guardado poor attempt at a pass really
well the first half of this europa league final is in the history books and i think
it's fair to say lee the game needs just a bit of a shove well i was hoping not
to use this word tonight but turgid it really is a very very turgid game
not enjoy the quest for europa league success and the second half of this final is underway
alex moreno here's ruiz nabil fekir
possession changing hands madison space and time for the cross it comes to absolutely nothing
dennis bryant takes on the shots oh really close just failed to keep as a temp down
the manager is trying to get his message across on the touchline
they've just got to keep pushing surely a goal will come alex moreno
high pressing at its best
promising looking attack
and players waiting in the center still passing it around with authority tremendous challenge
this might be the perfect counter-attacking opportunity
to jump in front we'll take efforts like that all day long
emerson this is isa monday rodriguez
borja iglesias andres guardado
now canales
the cross is on
and cleared away as eyes for goal still a chance
and it looks so threatening but the danger averted
dennis bryant
indeedy
he's just got to continue his run magnificent defending
available hold on you go says the referee advantage
alex moreno in possession for kia
canales and a goal at this stage could be decisive only 10 minutes remaining here moreno now canales
iglesias plenty of players waiting in the middle
and it's iglesias well the threat was very real marvelous defending something to worry about here
vardy can they hit on the break
cardi a real opening now a colossal goal and could it be the goal that will give them the trophy
well all have you got to do now derek is not concede and the cup is theirs
easier said than done though well here it is again it's all about the pace in transition
that was so quick to get out from the back and when he gets through to the keeper
he just smashes it past him gives him no chance to think a lovely finish
and only two minutes remaining
lessons in here of added time a minimum of one minute
coming on to the pitch
and there's the whistle this uefa europa league final has been decided disappointment on one side
but sheer jubilation on the other and my goodness lee they deserve it absolutely
deserve it they were running the clock down at the end the referee obliged and blew his whistle
and quite rightly so they're now on the halfway line celebrating with all
their teammates i'm pretty sure all the subs etc will come running on as well
a great great night for this football club that's a party to last throughout the year i should think
i'm very happy to be celebrating good times in the europa league and now the trophy awakes
them well all those months of heart training sessions pre-season training you kind of look
forward to get yourself through those sessions and they'll be looking forward at moments like this
they've finally got their hands on this fantastic magnificent trophy
this is what they've wanted now it's in their possession the winners of the uefa europa league
long celebrations into the night i'm pretty sure derek it's gonna go on and
on yeah i think they have every intention of making this last as long as possible one more