“Destination Bucharest: Falcao leads Atlético Madrid to victory in the first round of the Europa semifinals”

Atlético Madrid 4:2 Valencia

(18’ Falcao) (49’ Miranda) (54’ Adrian) (78’ Falcao); (45’ Jonas) (94’ Costa)

Well, Atlético Madrid certainly showed up to the Vicente Calderon ready to tear up their home turf. The stadium was alive with energy and full of devoted fans chanting and cheering for Los Colchoneros. Atleti has always been known to have a strong fan support and they certainly showed their appreciation for this as they darted up and down the field with swagger.

Atleti played a very solid first half. They put the pressure on Valenica’s defense from the beginning and kept significant possession of the ball. In the 18^th minute Turkish Arda Turan successfully trapped a long ball and managed to get his foot around Valencia’s defender to deliver a cross to the center. The ball bounced and Radamel Falcao was there to head it into the left corner of the net to give Atleti an early lead.

 

After keeping their lead intact for most of the remainder of the half, Atleti gave up a goal on a corner. Just as the half ended, Rami headed the ball off a corner kick and Jonas was in just the right position, unmarked at the back post, to tap it in to tie the game.

After a slightly disappointing end to the second half, Atleti was ready to prove that they had not put Bucharest out of their sights. Within the first five minutes of the second half, Madrid regained their lead. Diego kicked a mediocre free kick towards the box, but Atelti defender, Miranda, charged the box and headed the ball into the net. After this fantastic start to the second half, Atleti really picked up the pace. Just five minutes later, Adrian dribbled the ball down the middle of the field. As he approached the box, he was pushed to the right; however, he still outran the defender and cut a quick shot across the defending keeper and into the left back corner of the net.

Already enjoying their 3-1 lead, Los Colchoneros further secured it 15 minutes later with an impressive goal from Falcao. Diego gave Falcao a long ball from midfield and the colombiano rapidly dribbled the ball towards the net. As he approached the box, he cut back and dribbled to the center to avoid the opposing defenders. He then shot the ball with three defenders on him. The ball hit the crossbar but deflected downward and into the net putting Atleti up 4-1. The crowd went wild, and after victoriously sliding on the pitch, Falcao’s teammates proceed to pig pile on top of him in celebration! Valencia did manage to snag an extra goal in stoppage time; Ricardo Costa headed a corner from Tino Costa past Courtois for a final score of 4-2.

Despite Valencia’s last goal, Atleti still ended the game ahead, putting them at an advantage when they travel to Valencia next week for the second round of the Europa Cup semifinals. Valencia will surely be hungry for revenge and Atelti will be without the home advantage. Hopefully their two-goal advantage will be able to send them through to the finals in Bucharest.

 Next match: Valencia v Atlético  Madrid 4/26 2:05pm CDT

written by Donais Deetz