|
In an impressive five-month spell in charge, Simeone has takenAtletico to their second Europa League final in three years, theSpaniards having claimed their maiden European trophy with a 2-1victory over Fulham in 2010. But the man who took over in December following the sacking ofGregorio Manzano expects his credentials will be tested to the fullby an Athletic side who, although yet to win big on the Europeanstage, will prove tough opponents. "They're a team with a lot of intensity; a direct style offootball; quick and brave -- a team that isn't afraid to play theirway, even in away matches," Simeone told the UEFA website. "They've played like that throughout the whole season. And knowingthe team and their coach, I know they will be the same in any game,whether it's a friendly or a final." As well as pitting two Spanish sides against each other, the finalwill also see Simeone pit his tactical nous against former coachMarcelo Bielsa. Bielsa was Argentina's coach when Simeone collected the last of histhen record 106 caps with the national team at the 2002 World Cup. And while Simeone has expressed his "great admiration" for hisfellow Argentine, he believes the coaches' input will be limited,saying: "The players play it; we just stand outside." "When it comes to matches like this, those who've already played inone know what to expect, but that guarantees you nothing," headded. While Atletico have the bigger pedigree in Europe and currently sitin fourth, five places above Athletic, in La Liga, Bielsa's fieryBasques have been one of the most entertaining teams of thisseason's tournament. Athletic underlined their ambitions by eliminating ManchesterUnited in the round of 16, ending Sir Alex Ferguson's hopes ofmaking amends for their Champions League exit by winning thetournament. They went on to oust Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals and SportingLisbon in the semis to book their first European final since the1976-77 UEFA Cup, when Juventus prevailed, winning a two-leg finalon away goals. Bielsa has also put Athletic in with a chance of a rare double;they will meet Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey (SpanishCup) on May 25. On paper, there is very little to separate the sides but Atleticostriker Radamel Falcao and his Athletic counterpart FernandoLlorente will be expected to play decisive roles in the Romaniancapital. Falcao has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season. It isway off the record-breaking 72-goal tally of Barcelona's LionelMessi, but with 23 goals the Colombian is the third-top scorer inLa Liga. The 26-year-old also has the advantage of having alreadyexperienced the tension of a European final, having triumphed withFC Porto last season when he scored a record 17 goals in thecompetition, including the only goal in the final. Although with seven goals Llorente has scored three less thanFalcao in this season's competition, the Spaniard has hit the netwhen it mattered most. Decisive for their respective sides throughout, Bucharest's citycouncil has heaped further pressure on the pair by temporarilyrenaming two of the city's metro stations after them. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Plastic Extrusion Moulding Manufacturer , Plastic Mixer Machine for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits PET Recycle Machine.
Related Articles -
Plastic Extrusion Moulding Manufacturer, Plastic Mixer Machine,
|
