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Jonathan White

Chinese-owned Inter Milan will have to wait for their first trophy of the Suning regime after losing 3-2 in the Uefa Europa League final to Sevilla in Cologne.
The Italians had taken the lead thanks to striker Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian converted a penalty that he had won in the 5th minute. His goal took him to 34 for the season, matching the mark of Brazilian striker Ronaldo in his own debut season at the club.
Sevilla equalised after Luuk De Jong powered home a diving header from a Jesus Navas cross, the same combination that had seen off Manchester United in the semi-finals.
The Dutchman, in Julien Lopetegui’s starting line-up after that winner, then put the five-time Europa League champions in front with another header, from an Ever Banega free-kick.


Inter defender Diego Godin levelled the scores with another header from a set piece to leave it 2-2 at half-time.
Sevilla then took the lead once more after another Banega free kick was not cleared by the Inter defence and the La Liga side’s Diego Carlos, up from defence and with his leg heavily strapped, attempted a bicycle kick.
Inter boss Conte hits out at Chinese ownership of the club
The effort was going wide before it was diverted into the goal by Lukaku, who moments earlier had wasted a chance to put the Italians in the lead much to the disgust of coach Antonio Conte on the sidelines.
Worse still it was Carlos that had brought Lukaku down for the penalty and referee Danny Makkelie chose to only punish the defender with a yellow card rather than red.
That ended the scoring, although Alexis Sanchez came close but his tame attempt was cleared off the line.
Chinese-owned Inter Milan’s Lionel Messi move dream dates back to 2016
Inter have not won a European trophy since the Uefa Champions League in 2010 while Sevilla, who have now won the Europa League six times in six final appearances, have won this trophy three times since 2014.
Head coach Conte put his future in further doubt after the game.
“We're going to meet next week with the club and we'll decide about my future. I'm not sure that I'll be the Inter manager next season, we'll decide together,” Conte told Sky Sports Italia. “Inter will plan the future with or without me.”

Earlier this month Conte questioned the board, which is led by Steven Zhang the son of Suning owner, following the end of the Serie A season in which Inter finished second to Juventus.
“I don’t think the work of the players has been recognised and I don’t think my work has been recognised,” Conte said. “We all received very little protection from the club, absolutely zero.
Zhang did not ease Conte’s fears, though he did point to the positive aspect of reaching a final.

“He and his staff, together with the players and all the other members of the club are doing a great job,” Zhang told Sky Sport Italia. “Now the players and the staff will rest, because they deserve it, and then we will plan for the future.
“We want to improve next season. The balance of this season is very positive. We are on a path that has allowed us to get to the final.
“All of us, on and off the pitch, are doing a great job and are heading in the right direction. Winning or losing is part of football, but getting to the final makes us optimistic for the future.”


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Uefa Europa League

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte fears Chinese owners will sack him after Europa League loss

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte walks past the Uefa Europa League trophy after the final. Photo: Xinhua

(200822) -- COLOGNE, Aug. 22, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Romelu Lukaku (front L) of Inter Milan reacts after scoring an own goal during the UEFA Europa League final between FC Inter and Sevilla FC in Cologne, Germany, Aug. 21, 2020. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. (Alex Grimm/UEFA/Handout via Xinhua)

(200822) -- COLOGNE, Aug. 22, 2020 (Xinhua) -- Players and staff of Sevilla celebrate after their team's victory in the UEFA Europa League final between FC Inter and Sevilla FC in Cologne, Germany, Aug. 21, 2020. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. (Alex Grimm/UEFA/Handout via Xinhua)

Lionel Messi to Inter Milan is a dream of club’s Chinese owners  that dates back to 2016

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Napoli at the Camp Nou in the Uefa Champions League. Photo: AP

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte hits out at Chinese ownership of the club

Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte has complained about the stewardship of the club after securing send place in Serie A on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Search for ‘Chinese Messi’ goes on as A-League Adelaide United gamble on mystery signing Chen Yongbin

Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Real Madrid in 2017. Photo: EPA

Chinese football stars in Britain...Fans of Everton of the English Premier League display a newspaper introducing two newly arrived Chinese football stars Li Tie (left in the paper) and Li Weifeng (right in the paper) outside of the stadium in Liverpool on August 17, 2002. 18 August 2002

Chinese soccer player Chen Zhizhao gives the thumbs up after a news conference in Sao Paulo March 1, 2012. Zhizhao signs with Brazil's team Corinthians. REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker (BRAZIL - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

epa07775271 RCD Espanyol's Chinese striker Wu Lei (R) celebrates with teammate Matias Vargas (L) after scoring the 1-0 lead during the UEFA Europa League third round qualification second leg match between RCD Espanyol and FC Luzern at RCDE Stadium in Cornella, Barcelona, Spain, 15 August 2019. EPA-EFE/ENRIC FONTCUBERTA

Britain's Manchester United's Fangzhuo Dong [Dong Fangzhou] (3rd L) celebrates his goal with team mates Danny Simpson (L), Wes Brown (2nd L) and John O'Shea after scoring against South Africa's Kaiser Chief during their soccer match in Cape Town, South Africa July 18, 2006. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA)

Inter fans say monkey chants not meant to be racist

Inter Milan’s Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku suffered racial abuse from Calgiari fans over the weekend. Photo: AP

epa07811715 Inter's Romelu Lukaku (C-R) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the 2-1 lead from the penalty spot during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Cagliari Calcio and Inter Milan at Sardegna Arena Stadium in Cagliari, Italy, 01 September 2019. EPA-EFE/FABIO MURRU

epa07811710 Inter's Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring the 2-1 lead from the penalty spot during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Cagliari Calcio and Inter Milan at Sardegna Arena Stadium in Cagliari, Italy, 01 September 2019. EPA-EFE/FABIO MURRU

Sport

Football


Suning-owned Serie A side lose 3-2 to Sevilla in Germany as Spanish side lift sixth title thanks to Romelu Lukaku own goal
Italian tells press he might not be the manager next season as chairman Steven Zhang says ‘we want to improve’



Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte tells press he might not be the manager next season as chairman Steven Zhang says ‘we want to improve’.


Italian Serie A

Spanish La Liga

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte fears Chinese owners will sack him after Europa League loss

Suning-owned Serie A side lose 3-2 to Sevilla in Germany as Spanish side lift sixth title thanks to Romelu Lukaku own goal Italian tells press he might not be the manager next season as chairman Steven Zhang says ‘we want to improve’

Suning-owned Serie A side lose 3-2 to Sevilla in Germany as Spanish side lift sixth title thanks to Romelu Lukaku own goal

Italian tells press he might not be the manager next season as chairman Steven Zhang says ‘we want to improve’