Arsenal target Tapsoba makes Europa League semi-finals best XI
Sevilla and Roma both booked their Europa League final spot at the expense of Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, and all four teams are represented in WhoScored's semi-final best XI.
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus) - 7.52
Despite his heroics between the sticks, Wojciech Szczesny was unable to keep Sevilla at bay to help Juventus to the Europa League final. The Polish shotstopper made more saves (13) than any other goalkeeper across both legs, but it wasn't enough to help the Old Lady progress beyond the semi-finals.
Juan Cuadrado (Juventus) - 6.97
The second of three Juventus players to make the grade, Juan Cuadrado returned a WhoScored rating of 6.97 in the semi-finals. The Colombian defended well where needed, making eight tackles and interceptions combined, and it was clear Sevilla pinpointed Cuadrado as a threat, with the 34-year-old fouled a total of 12 times.
Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.62
Edmond Tapsoba has been attracting interest from Premier League side Arsenal recently, and his performances in the semi-finals of the Europa League show why. While Bayer Leverkusen were unable to progress past Roma, the 24-year-old was a solid performer for the German outfit, winning 12 aerial duels, making six clearances, five tackles and four interceptions, and maximising a WhoScored strength of 'passing' as he attempted 184 passes across both legs.
Partnering Tapsoba at the heart of the defence, Ibanez did enough to yield a WhoScored rating of 7.28 in the Europa League semi-finals as he played a key role in back-to-back shut outs against Bayer Leverkusen. The Brazilian put in a solid rearguard showing for Jose Mourinho's side as he made a total of 12 clearances to secure his place in the XI.
Rounding off the defence is the Europa League player of the round. Danilo may have been on the losing side against Europa League specialists Sevilla, but the Brazilian did all he could to help Juventus at the back. Indeed, he made more tackles (12) and more clearances (18) than any other player in the semi-finals, while he was unfortunate not to register an assist for his side having made three key passes to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
Edoardo Bove was a surprise starter for Roma against Bayer Leverkusen, with the semi-finals marking both his first and second starts in the competition. The 21-year-old, though, took it all in his stride, returning a WhoScored rating of 7.26 as he scored the only goal of the two-legged affair. Bove also made four tackles and interceptions combined to warrant his place in the XI.
The first Sevilla player to make the cut features alongside Bove in the middle of the park. Ivan Rakitic rolled back the years as he played a key role for the La Liga outfit in their progression to the Europa League final. The Croat made more key passes (8) than any other player in the semi-finals, while only teammate Youssef En-Nesyri (9) managed more shots than the 35-year-old (8). Rakitic was unable to contribute to a goal, but it clearly wasn't for want of trying.
Another experienced star proving age is but a number, Nemanja Matic rounds off the midfield. The Serb was imperious in the middle of the park for Roma against Bayer Leverkusen, managing nine tackles and interceptions combined and four clearances. The 34-year-old also got forward well when needed, completing four dribbles, to muster a WhoScored rating of 7.34.
Lucas Ocampos (Sevilla) - 7.02
There were concerns that Lucas Ocampos would miss the second leg having been subbed off in the first half of Sevilla's 1-1 draw with Juventus last week after providing the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri's opener, but the Argentine recovered to play his part in the La Liga side's progression to the final. Ocampos made three key passes and completed three dribbles in total to return a WhoScored rating of 7.02.
Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla) - 7.24
Leading the charge in this XI is Sevilla hitman Youssef En-Nesyri. The Moroccan forward managed more shots (9) than any other player in the semi-finals of the Europa League, and defended well from the front, too, as he made four tackles to secure a spot on the frontline with a WhoScored rating of 7.24.
Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - 7.00
Completing the XI is Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz, who managed a WhoScored rating of 7.00. While the German youngster was unable to break the Roma resolve, he did what he could for Xabi Alonso's side, managing seven key passes, a return only Rakitic could better in the semi-finals. In addition, Wirtz completed more dribbles (6) than any other player to secure a place in the side.
