Europa League Final - Atlético de Madrid vs Athletic Club, Bucharest

dsmythy

Lars1916 wrote: »

I'm a bit disappointed now, Athletic way too nervous. Maybe, there were seen as slight favorites after eliminating United, and were not able to deal with that

Or they can't keep up that sort of performance level on a regular basis.

carlop

Vamos Atleti!

Great performance tonight by a team that has won 12 games in a row in Europe. Athletic Bilbao are a good team, but so are Atleti and tonight they proved it.

Disgraceful stuff by the police in Madrid tonight. When Real Madrid won the League this year and the cup last year they shut off all roads to Cibeles and let the fans celebrate.

Tonight they did everything to keep the roads around Neptuno open, which ended up with them chasing Atletico fans around the centre with rubber bullets and tear gas. Some fans reacted, which will be the headline in Marca tomorrow, but the police acted like thugs. Myself and some friends had rubber bullets fired over our heads, the same bullets that killed an Athletic Bilbao fan two months ago. Much like most things in Spanish football, it would never happen to Barca or Madrid.

Will I Amnt

Warper wrote: »

Great game tonight full of skill, really shows up the EPL.

Also would have shown up the Champions League cheatfest final that we were all so lucky to be spared from.....

That_Guy

Can't get enough of Falcao's second goal. Super technique. Pity Bilbao never really got going though.

Davaeo09

That_Guy wrote: »

Can't get enough of Falcao's second goal. Super technique. Pity Bilbao never really got going though.

Both goals are pure class, Deigo's wasn't bad either.

I just can't help but feel if Atletic Bilbao don't deviate from their strict transfer policy they will be letting a great chance slip by. Let's just say they were to hold on to the current squad and sign maybe 2 or 3 more players to improve on the current model of play. They could easily become a regular side in the top 4 of Spain. Players like De Marcos and Minian have massive ability and could make it at any club or any league.

As most other Neutrals of this competition have done, I have taken a liking to the Basque club. So it was disappointing to see them let such a big chance pass them by last night.

In the end the collective experience of some of the Atletico squad really pulled them through last night. They had a set plan, stuck to it, and Falcao was immense as always.

Really hope we can see both these teams improve upon what they have already done, special players on both teams and two very dignified but different coaches at the helm.

Dolph Starbeam

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Both goals are pure class, Deigo's wasn't bad either.

I just can't help but feel if Atletic Bilbao don't deviate from their strict transfer policy they will be letting a great chance slip by. Let's just say they were to hold on to the current squad and sign maybe 2 or 3 more players to improve on the current model of play. They could easily become a regular side in the top 4 of Spain. Players like De Marcos and Minian have massive ability and could make it at any club or any league.

As most other Neutrals of this competition have done, I have taken a liking to the Basque club. So it was disappointing to see them let such a big chance pass them by last night.

In the end the collective experience of some of the Atletico squad really pulled them through last night. They had a set plan, stuck to it, and Falcao was immense as always.

Really hope we can see both these teams improve upon what they have already done, special players on both teams and two very dignified but different coaches at the helm.

Most fans would rather see the club relegated than give up the Cantera policy, its a huge thing and means more to the club than anything else. Don't think I'd rather see them relegated but they are happy to go as they are then so be it.

Beefy78

Davaeo09 wrote: »

Really hope we can see both these teams improve upon what they have already done, special players on both teams and two very dignified but different coaches at the helm.

I really fancy Atletico to kick on next season (finances permitting) once Simeone has had a summer and a transfer window.

Morzadec

Beefy78 wrote: »

I really fancy Atletico to kick on next season (finances permitting) once Simeone has had a summer and a transfer window.

I hope so, but the only problem is that 2 key players this season are on loan.

Chelsea's backup goalkeepers are pretty poor for a club of their stature, and I could see them wanting Courtois back as understudy to Cech to prevent having to rely on Turnbull if Cech were to get injured. Considering that Chelsea will likely be in the Europa League next season, that would provide a decent amount of game time to justify keeping a very talented youngster at the club - between Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup, Courtois could be looking at playing about 15 games next year for Chelsea. They might see that as enough to keep him there and have a quality no.2 goalkeeper at the club.


Diego is the even bigger loss. From what I've heard, most Atleti fans think he will probably not be there at the club next year. I imagine a combination of the transfer fee and wages might be a bit of an ask for Atleti, plus he may be looking for CL football which Atleti probably won't have.

Also who knows what big teams might be in for the likes of Arda, Falcao or Adrian

A lot could depend on the weekend's fixtures, but I don't see Malaga slipping up. I agree that if they keep this side together they should get top 4 next year.

Warper

cambo2008 wrote: »

Also would have shown up the Champions League cheatfest final that we were all so lucky to be spared from.....

Didier Drogba

CongoPowers

Athletic have now failed to score in their last four games. They've seriously run out of gas, Madrid dailies and Argentinian media put it down to Bielsa's “slave regime”. The problem is really the squad, he's overworking the same small group of players he can trust.

Dolph Starbeam

CongoPowers wrote: »

Athletic have now failed to score in their last four games. They've seriously run out of gas, Madrid dailies and Argentinian media put it down to Bielsa's “slave regime”. The problem is really the squad, he's overworking the same small group of players he can trust.

There isn't any other choice, a tiny squad that have gone all the way in the europe and in the domestic cup and have been fighting for a Europa League spot in La Liga are going to get tired no matter what style of football they play. Bielsa has done an amazing job with the team in just one season, I was excited when he took over but i did not expect things to change so quickly.

Next season will be a struggle though, Llorente and Martinez have big price tags but I can still see them being snapped up, I have a feeling Muniain won't be leaving just yet though.

All in all it was a great run to the final and at least there is another final to look forward to.