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MIDDLESBROUGH v SEVILLA HEAD TO HEAD
By Daniel Spellman of Betting Zone
Spanish side Sevilla stand between Middlesbrough and their dream of lifting the UEFA Cup. Here, we take a look at the two clubs.
HISTORY
Middlesbrough head for Eindhoven looking to collect the second major trophy of their 130-year history after having to wait 128 years for the first. Steve McClaren became the first Boro manager to guide his side to a piece of silverware when they lifted the 2004 Carling Cup.
Victory over Sevilla would come at a poignant time - 20 years ago, the Teessiders were on the verge of extinction before chairman Steve Gibson put together a rescue package and put them on the road to tangible success.
Currently in their centenary year, Sevilla, rather like Boro, have had to be patient when it comes to trophies. Relegated from the Primera Division in 1998, they have not won anything since they lifted the Copa del Rey 50 years earlier. They were Spanish champions in 1946, but are perhaps most famous for persuading Argentinian legend Diego Maradona to sign for the club, although his stay lasted just one season.
MANAGERS
McClaren has spent far more time on both the back and front pages than he he could have imagined just a few months ago as Boro's European run and the vacant England job have kept his name in the public eye. However, he came close to losing his job in February as a run of poor results was compounded by a 4-0 home defeat by Aston Villa.
Former Real Betis and Espanyol coach Juande Ramos has guided his side into the final and into sixth place in La Liga, where they have not finished outside the top half since their return. He left his players in no doubt as to what was required of them in the semi-final, insisting "players with international pedigree take responsibility" to put them through.
FORM
Boro have prospered in Europe, but have been disappointing in domestic football in recent weeks. The biggest blow came when they lost their FA Cup semi-final final to West Ham, but they are marooned in the lower half of the Barclays Premiership table.
Sevilla strengthened their claims on a top-six finish with a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad at the weekend, and like the Teessiders have enjoyed a series of excellent results in Europe. They emerged from a group including Bolton and Besiktas and have beaten Lokomotiv Moscow, Lille, Zenit St Petersburg and Schalke on their way to the final.
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