Spain could boast all four finalists in European competition this season after Villarreal and Sevilla were kept apart in the Europa League draw in Nyon on Friday.
The Yellow submarine were paired with Borussia Dortmund’s conquerors Liverpool whilst Unai Emery’s side, looking for a third straight title, were drawn against Shakhtar Donetsk in the other semifinal.
After a punishing penalty shoot-out win in their quarterfinal against Athletic Club, Sevilla’s reward has been to be kept apart from fellow La Liga side Villarreal.
It leaves a mouth-watering prospect of the Spanish top flight taking all four final places in both the Europa and Champions League after Atletico and Real Madrid were also kept apart in their respective semifinals, drawn earlier on Friday.
This is a competition that the Andalusians have ruled for the last two years and just 180 minutes stands between them and a third straight final which would be a quite incredible achievement for Emery and his staff.
Liverpool will be no pushovers for Marcelino’s Villarreal side either, but it cuts both ways.
Only Barcelona and both Madrid sides are ahead of them in the league and over two legs they will present a formidable barrier to Jurgen Klopp’s aspirations of a second final in his debut season at Anfield.