Atletico look to erase past pain
EUROPA LEAGUE Madrid outfit will have to quell Marseille’s challenge as they chase redemption
LYON: After painful defeats in recent continental finals, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are determined to justify their status as favourites in Wednesday’s Europa League showpiece against Marseille in Lyon.
Atletico lost in extra time to Real Madrid in the Champions League final of 2014, having been seconds away from victory in 90 minutes, and then lost on penalties to their city rivals in the final of the same competition two years later.
An exit from this season’s Champions League in the group stage came as a big surprise for a formidable side spearheaded by Antoine Griezmann in attack, but they have put that behind them to close on glory in Europe’s less prestigious competition.
Atletico are looking to win the Europa League for the third time in nine seasons, after triumphing in 2010 and again in 2012, shortly after ‘Cholo’ Simeone was appointed coach.
“We can’t wait for the final to come around,” full-back Juanfran told Radio Marca as Atletico target a first trophy since 2014, when they won La Liga.
“With ‘Cholo’ lots of things have changed at Atletico. Everything we have experienced in these last few years we will remember forever. I hope we can get another little medal.”
It would be a first, and possibly last major medal as an Atletico player for Griezmann, who was raised not far from Lyon but has spent his whole career in Spain.
The 27-year-old forward joined Atletico from Real Sociedad on the back of their title success in 2014, but could soon be on his way to Barcelona.
Griezmann and Diego Costa will lead Simeone’s attack as Atletico return to Lyon, where they lost 3-0 to Dynamo Kiev in the final of the now defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986. Atletico have had plenty of heartbreak in European finals down the years, as have Marseille. The French club have previously appeared in four, losing three, the exception being their victory over AC Milan in the inaugural Champions League final in 1993.
arguably two of the most deadly French attacking players of the season, will go head-to-head on Wednesday evening in a tantalising match-up.
the form of Thauvin that the possible absence of Dimitri Payet has become less of a concern, while Griezmann continues to be Atletico's go-to hero. The Frenchman scored the important away goal in the semifinal against Arsenal. among the Champions League elite in the past few years, it was a shocker when Atletico failed to get out of their group.
them an opportunity to end the season with a trophy and give a fitting send-off to Griezmann, who may leave for Barcelona.
won the inaugural Champions League title 25 years ago, but since then they haven’t achieved much in Europe’s elite club competition.
in next season’s Champions League is not yet secured with them sitting fourth in Ligue 1 with one game still to play. But, by winning the Europa League, they can qualify for next season’s competition. *In all competitions this season of winning but we are going to give it our all. Playing Atletico is a big event for us.
This is a club that has played two Champions League finals in the past four years, a club that won the Europa League not long ago.”
Marseille manager for a great final.
Marseille have been improving and they have a coach who has so many
options at his disposal and a lot of nous. They're very dangerous, particularly in midfield and attack. It'll certainly be a tough game.”
Atletico manager