Atletico Madrid sealed their second Europa League trophy in three years, as they saw off rivals Athletic Club 3-0 on an entertaining night in Bucharest. Two goals from star man Falcao gave Atletico an untouchable first-half lead, before a late piece of magic from Diego finished the game off for the 5th side in La Liga.

It was all set up to be a carnival of beautiful soccer, from two teams who have impressed the continent throughout the tournament. The Bucharest crowd didn’t have to wait long to be impressed: little over five minutes passed before star striker Falcao cut inside, and hurled a stunning left-footed effort into the corner, to put Atletico Madrid 1-0 up.

The game didn’t quite come to life, as many would have expected after that early goal. Athletic Club looked uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings, but the Basque side started to play their trademark soccer as the first-half went on, and they were creating chances because of it, but Fernando Llorente couldn’t find his shots, as he sliced an effort just wide of the posts.

The people’s favorite, Athletic Club began to get on top, and were pushing Atletico back into their own area consistently. Iker Muniain threatened with a long-range effort, which Courtois could only push away. But for all their mastery, Athletic were the masters of their own downfall. Amorebieta failed to clear the ball away, and when it finally found its way to Falcao, the Colombian striker made no mistake, as he turned the defenders inside out and smashed Atletico into a two-goal lead.

The star of the show, Falcao may have been lucky to stay on the pitch shortly after his opener, when he planted his foot into Iraizoz’s groin. Whether it was intentional is open to interpretation. The first half fizzled out without any further drama though, and Athletic needed quite a response. Marcelo Bielsa was determined to get that reaction by bringing on Gomez and Perez for the second half, and he almost got it, when Muniain’s low cross was deflected behind by Miranda.

The match was as fast-paced and all action, as it had been before the break, with Atletico relatively happy to sit on their two-goal lead to soak up the pressure from their Spanish rivals. The trailing side was pressing hard, but couldn’t break down a stubborn defense, with Diego Godin at the heart of  keeping Atletico’s two-goal lead intact. Athletic Club seemed to struggle with the pressure of a final cup, and were a world away from the carefree team everybody saw playing Manchester United off the pitch a few months ago.

But the team sitting 9th in La Liga wouldn’t give up. Fernando Llorente had an effort blocked before Gomez blazed over, and they came forward again. Some great work by Muniain this time ended in De Marcos smashing the ball over the bar, as Marcelo Bielsa grew increasingly frustrated on the touchline. Still Bilbao didn’t give up, though Susaeta came close, as his on-target effort was deflected agonizingly wide of the post.

It was a game that felt as if one goal would spark a sensational comeback. Llorente was once again denied by a stubborn Atletico defense, before Susaeta was denied this time by Courtois, before Falcao almost completed his hat trick,with a deflected effort onto the post, as the game became increasingly open. But with five minutes to, another individual moment of brilliance wrapped things up for Atletico Madrid, when Diego dribbled through the defense and found the far corner, and at least one European trophy would be going back to Madrid.

The article Atletico Upstage Fellow Spaniards to Win the Europa League appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Second-placed Barcelona won 2-1 at Vicente Calderon over Atletico Madrid in Sunday’s match. The Liga champions keeps the 10 points distance to the leading team, Real Madrid. The `blancos´ won over their neighbors in Vallecas 1-0 thanks to a clever Cristiano Ronaldo backhell.

First Half

Guardiola´s players controlled the possession of the ball, making passes during the first 40 minutes. But their speed circulation was not quick enough to break the spider web strategy built by Cholo Simeone who had his players chasing Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and Busquest.

Xavi warned Atletico with a tricky shot close to the left post of the Belgian Curtois in the second minute. Five minutes later, Messi was disallowed a goal by referee Perez Lasa who claimed that the Argentina used his hand to help control the ball.

Barcelona had their first chance with a curling free-kick by Xavi in front of the box in the twentieth minute, but Curtois made a good save. In a raid by Dani Alves, he managed to connect with Messi in goal centre, attracting three Altetico players, and lay the ball for Cesc Fabregas who assisted Alves’ goal inside the goal in the thirty-sixth minute.

Simeone took charge, stripping out the corset of their players, but Atletico Madrid was struggling to control the ball and they only could feed Colombia striker Falcao with long crosses, challenged by Mascherarno and Puyol.

Second Half

Atletico improved after the break and Simeone put forward the lines to press Barcelona’s possession. A Gabi corner curled into the box to be met after few rejections by Falcao who volleyed home from close range.

Barcelona seemed nervous and imprecise, loosing control of the ball after the draw. Atletico kept pressing up higher and won the ball in Barcelona’s territory. Falcao had a change in front of Valdez but it was offside in the thirteenth minute. Alexis replied by heading the ball close to the angle after good delivery from Dani Alves.

Moments later, Falcao had his chance to score a second time, but Valdes made a great save. Nine minutes before the end, the genius of Messi appeared and the Argentina made a free kick on the left edge of the area as Atletico’s players were preparing their wall. However, Messi did not ask for wall and surprised Curtois with an excellent shot into the far corner of the net.

Barcelona suffered the last minutes with Atletico throwing all players forward. Vales was the game’s hero, saving the victory on two occasions: once against a close range shot from Juanfran inside the small box; and once against a long range shot from Gabi outside the box. There was also a clear hand-ball (penalty) by Barça player Busquets in the Atletico area later which was not called.

Barcelona is still chasing Real Madrid, while Atletico’s impressive seven games unbeaten with Simeone as manager ends.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/globalite/

The article Messi: The Smartest Beat Undefeated Simeone’s Squad appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.