2019 UEFA Europa League final

Venue

The final was the first European club competition final held in Azerbaijan. The Baku Olympic Stadium was later chosen as a host venue for UEFA Euro 2020. An open bidding process for club competition finals was launched by UEFA on 9 December 2016, with associations expressing interest by 27 January 2017 and submitting bid dossiers by 6 June 2017. On 3 February 2017, six associations expressed interest; three submitted bids for the 2019 final. Georgia, Germany, and Scotland expressed interest but did not submit bids. The bid evaluation report was published on 14 September 2017, and the UEFA Executive Committee selected Baku Olympic Stadium on 20 September 2017.

Background

Chelsea appeared in their second UEFA Cup/Europa League final, having won in 2013 against Benfica. This was their sixth European final overall, including two Cup Winners' Cup finals (a 1971 win over Real Madrid and a 1998 win over VfB Stuttgart) and two Champions League finals (a 2008 penalty loss to Manchester United and a 2012 penalty win over Bayern Munich). In 17 matches against fellow English clubs in European competitions, Chelsea had six wins, seven draws (two lost on penalties), and four losses; most recently they lost both legs to Manchester United in the 2010–11 Champions League quarter-finals.

Manager Maurizio Sarri sought his first major trophy and aimed to become the seventh Italian manager to win the competition. Arsenal also played in their second UEFA Cup/Europa League final, having lost on penalties to Galatasaray in 2000. This was their sixth UEFA competition final, including the 2006 Champions League final loss to Barcelona, three Cup Winners' Cup finals (a 1980 penalty defeat to Valencia, a 1994 win over Parma, and a 1995 loss to Real Zaragoza), and the 1970 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup win over Anderlecht.

Arsenal were winless in six prior meetings against English clubs, with two draws and four losses; most recently they lost both legs to Manchester United in the 2008–09 Champions League semi-finals. Manager Unai Emery had a perfect record in Europa League finals, having won three consecutive titles with Sevilla in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and held the record for most UEFA Cup/Europa League final appearances.

Pre-match

The brand identity for the final, unveiled at the group stage draw on 31 August 2018, drew inspiration from Baku buildings and incorporated Azerbaijan's nickname 'Land of Fire' with a flame on the letter 'A' and a design common in Azerbaijani rugs. The ambassador was former Netherlands international Pierre van Hooijdonk, who won the 2001–02 UEFA Cup with Feyenoord and was the top scorer. Of the 64,000 stadium capacity, 37,500 tickets were available to fans and the public, with each finalist receiving 6,000 tickets; other tickets were sold worldwide via UEFA.com from 7 to 21 March 2019 in four price categories.

The official attendance was 51,370, the third-largest for a Europa League final, but large sections of seats were empty. Commentators noted the lack of atmosphere, and a report in The Times claimed local authorities opened turnstiles for ticketless fans during the first half without UEFA authorisation. Supporters groups criticised ticket pricing and travel logistics, including limited flights and visa requirements; Heydar Aliyev International Airport was described as too small for expected demand.

Arsenal and Chelsea returned 6,000 unsold tickets to UEFA, and sponsors also returned allocations. Arsenal described UEFA's decision to host in Baku as 'unacceptable, and cannot be repeated.'

Match

The first half was scoreless, with Granit Xhaka hitting the bar for Arsenal and Olivier Giroud forcing a save from Petr Čech. Giroud opened the scoring in the 49th minute with a low header from Emerson Palmieri's cross. Pedro made it 2–0 in the 60th minute from a Hazard pass. Chelsea were awarded a penalty after a foul on Giroud by Ainsley Maitland-Niles, which Hazard converted in the 65th minute. Arsenal pulled one back in the 69th minute through substitute Alex Iwobi, but Hazard restored the three-goal lead three minutes later, assisted by Giroud. The 'home' team was determined by an additional draw held on 15 March 2019 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon.