What: Europa League Final
Who: Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
When: Wednesday, 9th May, 2012, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: National Arena, Bucharest, Romania
Atletico Madrid Look for Second Win in Three Years
This is not just a meeting between two Spanish sides, but also of two Argentine coaches. Diego Simeone arrived at the Vicente Calderon in December and has steadied his team; the former tough-tackling midfielder will know his opposite number, Marcelo Bielsa, better than most, having played under him when the Athletic Bilbao coach was in charge of Argentina.
Atletico Madrid arrive in the final having won 11 games in a row in the Europa League. Their stunning form is in no small part thanks to their prolific strikeforce of Adrian Lopez and Radamel Falcao, who lifted this trophy last year with FC Porto. Lopez has scored in every round of the competition thus far and will be a major threat on the counter attack to Atletico’s Basque opponents.
"The sides are very evenly matched,” said Simeone. “I haven’t spoken to Bielsa but I have a great admiration for him. It’s an important event for everyone. A moment of great pride; Atletico are a cup team and another final is something for the fans to enjoy."
The 2010 champions may be forgiven for being slightly distracted on the evening in Romania however. A 2-1 win over Malaga at the weekend put them two points behind the Andalucians going into the final game of the season this weekend and means Simeone’s side still have a chance of pinching a Champions League spot. While a second Europa League in three years would be welcome, a spot at Europe’s top table could be more valuable in the long term.
The Basque Country Awaits
Athletic Bilbao have been one of the teams of the season in Europe, with their exploits in the Europa League drawing huge admiration. Bielsa’s team overran Manchester United earlier in the competition, showing a flair and intensity that would have seen off most teams on the continent. Now the Basque outfit arrive in the final as the neutrals’ choice having provided such entertainment already, during a remarkable first season in charge at the San Mames for Bielsa.
In Fernando Llorente, Iker Muniain and Markel Susaeta, Athletic boast a host of technical and gifted players, all of whom are of Basque origin, of course; Athletic refuse to sign players with roots outside of the region.
Bielsa has changed their style this year though, making them a more technical, passing team, to combine with their traditionally direct style. The enigmatic coach is one of the world’s most fascinating managers, devoting such intensity and time to his role as he studies video footage endlessly in pursuit of victory.
A Europa League spot is still up for grabs in Spain for Athletic, but they would love nothing better than to make it back into the competition in style with a victory here. And a trophy would be seen as ample reward for a season of definite progression at the San Mames.
Recent form
Atletico Madrid:
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Malaga (05/05; La Liga)
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Sociedad (02/05; La Liga)
Real Betis 2-2 Atletico Madrid (29/04; La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao:
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Getafe (05/05; La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao 0-3 Real Madrid (02/05; La Liga)
Real Zaragoza 2-0 Athletic Bilbao (29/04; La Liga)
Key absences
Aletico Madrid: Tiago
Athletic Bilbao: None
Players to watch
Atletico Madrid – Gabi: The midfielder will come in for the suspended Tiago and will have a key role to play for Simeone. His ability on the ball will be tested by the high pressing of Athletic, and whether he can help Atletico to counter when they have the ball should have a major impact on the outcome of this game. Manchester United and others have been blown away by Bielsa’s men because they lacked the energy to keep up with them and then hold the ball in possession. Having come through the Atletico youth system, before spending four years at Real Zaragoza, Gabi will be particularly keen to get his hands on silverware having missed out in 2010.
Athletic Bilbao – Iker Muniain: In a Bielsa team it is strange to think of one particular player as being especially important to their cause, such is the emphasis on collective play. They press as a unit, defend as a unit, and attack as a unit. Muniain though is a pivotal part of the side’s system; his quick passing and skill helping speed up their attacks. The talented youngster is one of the hottest prospects in Spain, and he has the ability to turn the game in Athletic’s favour.
Match Prediction
Athletic Bilbao will push their opponents up the pitch and seek to dominate possession, but against a technical Atletico Madrid may have to accept that their opponents will also have the ball. Finals are usually tight affairs, but such is the attacking quality on show and the character of these two teams that it would not be a shock if this was an open match.
In such games where both teams get their chances, it will be the team who are more clinical who emerge triumphant. With Falcao and Lopez, Atletico will be confident. But it is also fair to say that Athletic have been more focused on this final, making three substitutions at half time in the goalless draw with Getafe last weekend in La Liga. Questions have been raised about the fitness of a squad who have been pushed to the physical limits by Bielsa, but there is little doubt that they will run and run for him, and Atletico will expect nothing else.
Atletico won the competition in 2010 but most of their players from that team have left. In the league this season, Athletic brushed Atletico aside at the San Mames, winning 3-0, but in the return, though the visitors enjoyed plenty of the ball, Simeone’s side were able to win 2-1 thanks to a double from Falcao. It may sadden the Bielsa fan club, but it would not be a shock for a repeat to happen here. Atletico Madrid 2-1 Athletic Bilbao (after extra time).
This Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao Europa League final is a match not to be missed. Who do you think will win? Make sure you visit OLBG for tips and to compare the current odds and betting markets available at all the important bookmakers.
