Europa League Champion 2012: Atletico Madrid!

Atletico Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao

Europa League Champion! 

Falcao strikes twice and Diego adds clincher as Simeone's men are crowned Europa League champions

The prolific Colombian struck gold once more, scoring a brilliant brace in the first half which, added to a fine breakaway goal from Diego, sealed the trophy for the capital outfit

Radamel Falcao stood up to be counted once again as Atletico Madrid claimed the 2011-12 Europa League title, defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 in an all-Spanish final at the National Arena in Bucharest. 

The Colombian striker, who scored the winner for former club Porto in last season's final, produced two superb individual efforts in the first half alongside an equally fantastic clincher from Diego to ensure that Atletico regained the trophy that they last won in 2010.

Falcao's strikes took his tally in the competition to 12, confirming him as the tournament's top scorer for the second campaign running, as Bilbao never found a way back into the match, despite laying siege to the Atletico goal for large periods in the second half.

Atletico were on the front foot straight from kick off, impressing with some incisive link-up play in the attacking third. When the opener arrived after seven minutes, though, it was all down to the brilliance of one man.    

The ball was played to Falcao on the right side of the box, who showed delicate footwork to manufacture an inch of space and bend a sumptuous effort past Gorka Iraizoz into the top corner.

Bilbao were slow to respond to the setback and were faced with further danger when Diego dragged a shot wide from the edge of the area.

Atletico’s threat diminished shortly after, however, as they seemed content to sit back and invite Bilbao to take the game to them; an offer which the Basque outfit accepted.

Fernando Llorente sliced a close-range volley off target, before Iker Muniain forced Thibaut Courtois into a smart save with a low drive from just outside the box, as Marcelo Bielsa’s men began to establish a foothold in the game.

But just when they looked to be turning the match back into their favour, they were taken apart by another moment of quality from Falcao on 34 minutes.

Arda Turan’s pass found the Colombian in a great position, and his twists and turns left marker Jon Aurtenetxe on his backside before blasting home from close range for his 29th Europa League goal in 29 games.  

The momentum was now with Atletico, and Falcao nearly rounded off his hat-trick on the stroke of half time after cutting in from the left side, but this time his finish deserted him.

Bilbao came storming out of the break and a strong run and cross from Muniain was turned away at the last by Diego Godin with Llorente lurking for the tap-in.

Inigo Perez’s tricky cross-cum-shot forced Courtois to tip over, and as the game crossed the hour mark, Bilbao slowly began to set up shop deep in the Atletico half.

Two chances went begging for Marcelo Biesla’s men, with both Andoni Iraola and Oscar De Marcos firing over the bar from positions where they really should have hit the target.

Susaeta went even closer with just over 10 minutes to go with a low drive from the right that Courtois did well to beat away.

But with large numbers camped in the opposition half, Bilbao were always vulnerable on the counter. Falcao had another chance to complete his treble after breaking free in the 80th minute but could only strike the post with Iraizoz beaten.

Bilbao were caught out on the break again five minutes before the end, and this time Atletico made them pay. Collecting the ball a fair distance from goal, Diego left two defenders in his dust before stroking a fine finish across the goalkeeper to put the match beyond any doubt

Ibai produced a late stunner that hit the woodwork, but it was of little consequence, as Bilbao’s European adventure all too literally ended in tears, with Atletico emerging as Europa League champions for the second time in two years.  

Source: goal.com

Atletico Madrid 4-2 Valencia

Falcao and Adrian run riot but Costa's injury-time strike gives Unai Emery's side hope in return

In the first leg of the Europa League semi-final tie, the hosts dominated throughout but suffered a late goal that gives life to the visitors, who showed little over 90 minutes

Atletico Madrid have one foot into the final of the Europa League after dominating Valencia 4-2 in their semi-final first leg at Vicente Calderon.

Three second half goals gave Atleti a commanding position after the visitors drew level late in the first half, but a late header from Ricard Costa handed Los Che a precious second away goal, and makes the return match at Mestalla a less daunting task.

In the first 10 minutes, the home side had little trouble invading the visiting box, firing two dangerous efforts at Diego Alves, who stopped both Diego and Adrian Lopez with fine saves.

Seven minutes later, however, Alves couldn't continue his heroics. Radamel Falcao found the net with a simple header from close range after Adil Rami could not stop Arda Turan, who beat the France defender at the bye-line with his pace. His ball across hit Jordi Alba before finding the head of the Colombian, who finished with ease. 

With the match appearing to head into the break at 1-0, Valencia struck somewhat against the run of play. From a corner Rami made contact, heading the ball down to the far post, where Jonas pounced to tap it in, sending the away fans into a frenzy. 

The home support would get their chance to celebrate again, however, as their side enjoyed a superb start to the second half. 

In the 48th minute, poor defending saw a free kick from Diego find Miranda inside the heart of the box, where the Brazilian headed past Alves with a simple header. 

It took just six minutes for Atleti's third. Adrian took the ball from Mehmet Topal, flew past Victor Ruiz at the edge of the area before firing into the left side of the net, bagging his seventh goal of the competition. 

The game was getting away from Valencia at this stage, and Atletico almost registered their fourth with 25 minutes remaining. 

Adrian fired a powerful effort from outside the box that was saved low by Alves, with Turan hitting the rebound on goal, but Alves was again there to stop the effort and prevent the visitors from more embarrassment. 

But Atletico Madrid eventually grabbed goal number four on 77 minutes after a fine solo effort from Falcao. The former Porto man dribbled past Ruiz and Jeremy Mathieu at the corner of the box, before cutting inside and drilling the ball into the upper-right corner.

Yet Atletico were to be deflated due to the concession of a late goal. In injury time Ricardo Costa headed home a late cross inside the box in added time, and put a different complexion on the second leg next week.

Sporting Lisbon 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

Capel nets winner as Portuguese side come from behind to take precious lead into second leg

A fortuitous opener from Jon Aurtenetxe put Marcelo Bielsa's side ahead, but the hosts fought back and turned the match on its head with two quickfire strikes

Sporting Lisbon came back from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Athletic Biblao, and edge towards the Europa League final.

After chasing the game for much of the first period, Jon Aurtenetxe put the Basque side ahead just after the break, but Emiliano Insua got his side level, before Diego Capel completed the turnaround.

It was the hosts who had the better of the early proceedings. Marat Izmailov had already sent a limp effort wide of the target when Insua forced a fantastic save from Gorka Iraizoz with a ferocious free kick.

The early assault of the Bilbao goal continued when Andre Martins pulled the ball across the face of goal, finding an unmarked Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who could only send his shot wide, when he should have struck the back of the net.

In the end, however, Marcelo Bielsa's men were almost gifted the opener. Markel Susaeta swung in a corner straight to the unmarked Fernando Llorente, who could only head over from a matter of yards.

After a frantic opening, the match trailed off as the first half wore on. Susaeta tried in vain to break the deadlock, dragging an effort wide when from just outside the area, before Ander Herrera tried to fool Rui Patricio with a looping effort which the Sporting 'keeper gathered easily.

Bilbao had now come into the encounter after a slow start, but they failed to make it count, with another tame Susaeta effort rolling kindly into Patricio's arms. 

At the other end, the hosts were still threatening, particularly on the break. Joao Pereira struck the outside of the post from a break-neck counter-attack, before Van Wolfswinkel struck wide once more with a powerful effort.

With the last kick of the opening period, Ricardo Sa Pinto's men should have gone in ahead.

Capel launched a break from an Athletic corner, but when the ball came to Insua, who had rocketed forward from the back, the former Galatasaray man lost his footing, letting the opportunity slip away.

Sporting came out from the break in close pursuit of the opening goal. Pereira sent in a cross from the right which appeared to strike Fernando Amorebieta on the arm, only for the referee to wave away frantic Portuguese appeals.

The decision proved to be decisive. Seconds later, a Susaeta free kick fell took an unlucky deflection off Insua into Aurtenetxe's path, and the 20-year-old kept his cool to tuck the ball past Patricio and grab his side a vital away goal.

Soon after, another Susaeta set piece caused mayhem in the Sporting box. Anderson Polga sent a poor clearance into straight to Amorebieta, who drove a shot against the woodwork with Patricio stranded.

The Basque club had now taken control of the contest, and were able to pass the ball leisurely in the midfield, with the hosts visibly down-heartened by falling behind.

Another free kick was deflected straight to Iker Muniain, who miscued his volley and failed to threaten the 'keeper, before Patricio was forced to scramble across the face of goal to deal with a looping Susaeta header.

Despite the visitors' domination, Sporting should have been back on level terms with 20 minutes left to play. 

Izmailov sent in a great cross which Van Wolfswinkel could only nod wide when he should have buried it.

The miss only served to fire the hosts on. Shortly afterwards, Capel crossed the right, and a tame clearance fell to Insua who rocketed into the box ahead of Susaeta and headed the ball into the far corner.

That was just the beginning. Seconds later, Capel collected the ball 20 yards from goal, and sent a pile-driver into the bottom corner, past the sprawling Iraizoz. 

Van Wolfswinkel squandered another opportunity, lifting a left-footed effort over the bar, thanks in part to a brave challenge, before Andre Carrillo flashed an effort narrowly wide.

In the end, however, the Portuguese outfit were made to settle for a one-goal lead, which Bilboa, having netted an away goal, will fancy their chances of overturning in a week's time.

Source: goal.com

Europa League - Quarter - Finals

Europa League Quarter - Finals

Europa League

Results from yesterday's matches

Sporting CP 1 - 0 Man City

Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 Besiktas

Metalist Kharkiv 0 - 1 Olympiacos

FC Twente 1 - 0 FC Schalke

Standart Liege 2 - 2 Hannover 96

Valencia 4 - 2 PSV

Man Utd 2 - 3 Athletic Bilbao

AZ Alkmaar 2 - 0 Udinense

Decision!

Hello everyone,
First of all thanks to all my followers and subscribers.
I've been publishing almost every day articles, but as football is a very complex and huge sport in our planet, I've decided to focus and concentrate only in the European Football, and not all of them.
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