Smart money on Diego’s Atletico
MARSEILLE HOPE TO SPOIL PARTY ON HOME SOIL Simeone desperate to end his club’s bad run in finals.
After painful defeats in recent continental finals, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are determined to justify their status as favourites in tonight’s Europa League showpiece against Marseille.
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 Simeone was appointed coach. The Argentine will be relegated to the stands tonight however as he serves a suspension, leaving German Burgos in charge.
“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.
“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.
Rudi Garcia’s team were not expected to make it this far, having started their European campaign in the qualifying rounds last July.
But after rousing wins over RB Leipzig in the last eight and Salzburg in the semifinals, OM and their passionate fans are now dreaming of glory on home soil.
Marseille are also battling for a top-three finish in the French league, and the fear is that fatigue will be a factor as they try to break down Atletico’s brilliant defence.
“They are a big club, a super team with great players and a great coach. They are used to playing in big European matches. They are clear favourites but we will do everything to create a surprise,” winger Florian Thauvin told sports daily L’Equipe. – AFP