szólj hozzá: ATL. MADRID 3-0 ATHL. BILBAO
Athletic Bilbao with 60% of the possession was the better team but Atletico with Radamel Falcao and Diego had all the individual brilliance. The Colombian was virtually unstoppable in front of goal proving too strong and too quick for the Atletico defense. His first goal in the 6th minute came after his skittering feet kept Fernando Amorebieta indecisive and in a flash while the defender pondered rolled the ball to his left foot and smashed it into the upper right hand corner of the far post.
The second goal was even better as in the 33rd minute Arda Turan's cross found Falcao taking the ball one way and then dragging it back with his right leg leaving three defenders in disarray before turning on the ball with his left and hammering it past Gorka Iraizoz. He almost got a hat trick in the 79th minute but the upright denied him.
In the 85th minute Diego receiving the ball at centre decided to roll on forward on his own as he jinked his way past the unfortunate Amorebieta to send in an acutely angled shot past Iraizoz.
This was billed as a showdown between Fernando Llorente vs Radamel Falcao but it was no contest as the Athletic Bilbao striker was ponderous and sloppy while equally Falcao punished each defensive lapse with ruthless efficiency.
Athletic have already qualified for the Europa Cup next season as Barca their opponents in the Copa Del Rey final have themselves qualified for the Champions League. Atletico on the other hand are just two points off fourth placed Malaga and have therefore a very good chance of entering Europe's top competition. Diego Simeone and Marcelo Bielsa, both in their first season, have done a yeoman's job with these clubs to take them this far.
Congratulations to Atletico Madrid! A tip of the hat to all other teams for their attacking and skillful football that made following the Europa Cup such an enjoyable experience.
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