Friday 27 April 2012

EUROPA: Madrid Makes It an All Spanish Affair

Atletico Madrid won the second leg of Europa league semifinal against Valencia 1-0 (Aggregate 5-2) at Estadio de Mestalla. Diego Simeone's men will play against their League rivals Athletic Club in the final of Europa League. Adrian's brilliant second-half strike sent Atletico Madrid into the Europa League final with a 1-0 victory at Valencia. 

The 24 year old striker struck a magnificent angled shot into the top corner in the 60th minute to end Valencia's hopes of a comeback in the second leg of the Semifinal.


The hosts, 4-2 down from the first leg, made all possible efforts but failed to score in a one-sided first half as the visitors lived very dangerously, but Adrian was successful to teach them a lesson in the second half of the match.


However, Atletico lost captain Thiago to an unnecessary red card, late in the second half when he was dismissed following a mass confrontation. Now, the Portugal midfielder will be unavailable in final.


Unai Emery's men had appealed for a handball against Thiago when he went up for a header in the area with Ricardo Costa, but the referee, after initially appearing to point to the spot, decided not to give a spot -kick. Replays proved him correct, showing the ball had struck Costa's hand rather than Thiago's.


 

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