Atlético de Madrid vs Athletic de Bilbao Report
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao: 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
