Atletico aim to erase pain of finals past in Marseille clash

AFTER painful defeats in recent continental finals, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are determined to justify their status as favourites in today’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.”

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.

But after rousing wins over RB Leipzig in the last eight and Salzburg in the semifinals, Marseille 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.

Only about 11 500 of their fans will officially be in attendance, however, but several thousand more should make the three-hour trip to Lyon.

Authorities are preparing for the threat of trouble, with a big rivalry developing in recent years between Marseille and Lyon.

Marseille fans have taunted Lyon and their outspoken president Jean-Michel Aulas with chants of: “We’re going to smash up your house.”