“Atlético Madrid's second win against Hannover sends them to Europa League Semifinals”

 

Atlético Madrid 2:1 Hannover 96 
Adrian ('62) Falcao (86'),  Diouf (80')

Atlético Madrid came into the second round of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals at an advantage after winning their first match against Hannover, 2:1. They played a strong match and though faltering slightly in the middle of the second half, they finished strong with a win. Their aggregate score, 4:2, lead them to advance on to the Europa League semifinals.

The first half wasn't the most interesting to watch with zero goals scored. Hannover had more shots on net, but they couldn't seem to find the back of the net. Atlético had a good attempt when Adrian headed a crossball from Diego towards the right corner of the net but narrowly missed.  

The first goal of the game wasn't scored until almost 15 minutes into the second half. Just as it seemed as though neither team was going to score, Diego lofted the ball down the center of the field. Adrian received it at the top of the box and then proceeded to go on a bit of a dribbling spree. While settling the ball he beat out two Hannover defenders. Then the goalkeeper dove out in an attempt to save the ball. However, Adrian dribbled around him to the center of the box, avoided a third defender's slide tackle, and then put the ball in the back left corner of the net. Suddenly, the game was much more interesting.

After their first goal, Atlético Madrid seemed to falter a bit. The ball was continuously in their half, and their intensity was lacking. This seems to be a trend for them, they always slow down towards the middle of the second half which sometimes costs them goals. In this case it did, in the 8oth minute, Hannover's striker, Mame Biram Diouf, found the net after an Atleti defenseman headed the ball right to Diouf's feet.

With the game tied, Atelti needed another goal to firmly secure their spot in the Europa League semifinals. Of course star striker, Radamel Falcao, was there to save the day. After Adrian lost the ball to Hannover's defense, Diego charged into the box to regain possession. He flicked the ball into the air where it landed on Falcao's chest. He quickly trapped the ball and kicked it into the left side of the net to put Atleti in the lead, 2:1.

Hannover wasn't able to score giving Atlético Madrid the win they needed to advance in the tournament. They along with Valencia, Athletic Bilbao, and Sporting Lisbon are headed to the semifinals. It will be an Iberian affair with three Spanish teams and the lone Portuguese team. Atlético Madrid takes on Valencia, 3^rd in the Spanish La Liga, in the first Europa League semifinal later in April.

Next match:

Atlético Madrid v Real Madrid 4/11 1:00pm CDT

Written by Donais Deetz