The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Griezmann at double in Europa title success
Atletico ease past Marseille for third title in nine years
MARSEILE 0 ATLETICO MADIRD 3
Antoine Griezmann struck twice as Atletico Madrid powered past Marseille to lift their third Europa League title in nine years last night.
The 27-year-old, who faces a summer of speculation over a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano, scored in each half - with Gabi striking late on to seal a 3-0 win for Atleti.
Coach Diego Simeone watched on from the stands having been hit with a four-game ban for being sent off during the semi-final first-leg at Arsenal but still saw his side ease to victory.
Madrid saw off the Gunners to reach the final in Lyon, with their fans vastly outnumbered by those making the short trip from Marseille.
Rudi Garcia’s side did not create enough to break down one of Europe’s toughest defences and their chances of causing an upset took a blow with Dimitri Payet limping off injured in the first half.
Griezmann, who scored in every knockout round for Madrid after they dropped down from the Champions League, proved to be the difference with two smart finishes more than enough to seal the trophy.
The French side should have been ahead inside the opening four minutes with Payet feeding Valere Germain, who could only fire wide when through on goal.
Adil Rami shot wide shortly afterwards and the Ligue 1 outfit were more than holding their own until they all-but gifted the opener to Griezmann.
Zambo Anguissa could not control Steve Mandanda’s ball out from the back and Atleti pounced, Gabi nipping in to play in Griezmann who finished coolly to put Simeone’s men ahead.
Marseille’s chances were given a blow as captain and talisman Payet was forced over with a little over half an hour on the clock.
The former West Ham man had been struggling with a muscle injury ahead of the final and was in tears as he made way for Maxime Lopez.
Griezmann doubled the advantage less than five minutes after the interval, Koke providing the assist for a clever dinked finish for the France forward.
Diego Godin headed over a Griezmann corner shortly afterwards as the LaLiga side started to dominate proceedings.
Marseille were struggling to create the chances required to reduce the arrears as Madrid started to kill the game in a manner they are renowned for, although substitute Kostas Mitroglou hit the post with a header.
Skipper Gabi added a rare goal late on to secure a comfortable night at the office for Atleti, who brought on Fernando Torres in stoppage time for his final appearance for the club.