Final 2012 - The Spanish Affair

By Joe, bettingexpert.com | Published 20:57 06.05.2012

Fernando Llorente Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid are to contest in this year's Europa League Cup final in Bucharest and both teams will be bringing their top strikers to showcase the final. For Bilbao, Fernando Llorente could shoot his team to some silverware while Atletico Madrid will have Falcao to help them lift yet another Europa Legue Trophy.

Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao

National Arena, Bucharest – Kickoff 19:45

On Wednesday, the Europa League will see it’s final chapter close for the 2012 edition where an all Spanish final between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid in Bucharest. The two finalist knows each other very well in their domestic encounter but at a neutral venue, both teams won’t have the advantage to take to Bulgaria.

Atletico Madrid has history behind to suggest that they are good for this trophy. They lifted the Europa League back in the 2009/2010 season and this is a tournament which Atletico Madrid have done well. So well that it will scare you with the statistics that they are 11 games unbeaten in the Europa League format and what more six consecutive wins in the La Liga taking up them up to fifth place. That is enough for another trip to the Europa League next season whether they win the Europa League this Wednesday or not. They have the same philosophy like their fellow Spanish opposition, and maybe it’s due to the manager, Diego Simone also chooses go for an attacking direct football style which has been profiting for his side. They have been scoring in nearly every round and all goals are coming from Falcao, who won the Europa League last season with Porto. He will be looking for service from Adrian, Diego and Arda Turan. Funny enough, only Arda Turan was rested last weekend in the 2-1 home win against Malaga. When it comes to Spanish encounter, Atletico Madrid are very experience as they disposed Valencia in the semi-finals so maybe fate will be tempted once again for Atletico Madrid to win yet another European Cup.

Athletic Bilbao have found their niche this season with regards to the Cup competitions. They are finalist in both their domestic Copa Del Cup, as they will take on Barcelona while the more prestige cup competition of the Europa League final is more lucrative for Bilbao. There should be a mention that Athletic Bilbao is leading 2-1 from the first leg against Barca so they are pretty good cup competition team. On the bench will see former Argentina defender and coach Marcelo Bielsa take the responsibility of the attacking formation of Athletic Bilbao. It has proven to be a fruitful one as they have managed to knock out Manchester United, Hannover 96 and Sporting Lisabon to get into the final. All of the games saw abundance of goals and that is one of their receipts for success, defending well and also giving a good crack up front. Their key players will be upfront where Fernando Llorente will lead the Athletic Bilbao attack. He will be awaiting the service from Markel Susaeta, Gaizka Toqeuro and Ander Herrera. All were rested in the 0-0 home draw against Getafe except Herrera. Their run up to the Europa League hasn’t been a pleasant one, two defeats (home to Real Madrid and away to Real Zaragoza) and a draw. Their current form should mean much as Athletic Bilbao has been working towards the cup finals.

Verdict:

From an all Portuguese affair to a Spanish affair, there is no element of surprise between the two as they know each other well. In fact, this is their first meeting in their European scene so that will be something new. In the domestic league, it is one each with the win and each win came from the team who is hosting. On aggregated, it is Bilbao is leading with a 4-2, after winning 3-0 at home and losing 2-1 away. This is a battle between the two top strikers in Spain, no not Ronaldo and Messi, but Llorente and Falcao. Whoever gets that first game surely should have the game wrapped up, so the in-form team is Atletico Madrid but Bilbao could get the last laugh.

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