Europa League : the Atlético in perdition
Before their last group phase game, this Thursday against Stade Rennes, Atlético Madrid suffered a punishing defeat on the road against Espanyol Barcelone (2-4). The day after the famous Clasico between Real and Barça, it was indeed time for the « little brothers » to face each other this week-end. And as on Saturday, the team from Catalonia came out on top.
Still unbeaten at Vicente-Calderon (Nine wins and three draws in all competitions), the Colchoneros are struggling on the road, where they only managed to win a point in eight league games.
Another illustration of these difficulties was visible at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium, in the suburbs of Barcelona, at the end of a performance called “apathetic” by the local press. Espanyol had built a strong lead early in the game, scoring three goals in the first twenty minutes, with a double by Verdu (5’ & 7’) and a goal by former Le Mans player Romaric (19’). The Atlético got one back before half-time, on a header by Falcao following a cross from Salvio (32’), but the Espanyol ended their hopes before the hour mark through Sergio Garcia (54’).
At the end of the game, Arda Turan reduced the difference once again, following a good pressing on the Catalan defence (82’).
This Thursday, against what should be a completely reshuffled Rennes team, Gregorio Manzano should also rotate his squad consequently. Already qualified, the Atlético will play to defend their first place. In that purpose, they need no more than a draw.
- The team against Espanyol : Courtois - Perea, Miranda, Godin, Filipe - Mario Suarez (Assunção, 63’), Gabi - Salvio (Adrian, 46’), Diego, Turan (Koke, 83’) - Falcao.
Meanwhile, the Udinese, who will play for their qualification against Celtic this Thursday (they only need a draw), continue their good run at the top of Serie A. The team from Friuli took some time, this Sunday, before managing to beat the defence of Chievo Verona, which they eventually did through the unstoppable Antonio Di Natale (67e) and Serbian midfielder Dusan Basta (79e). The Chievo couldn’t do more than reducing their handicap through Paloschi (83’), without managing to equalise.
A positive result (2-1) allowing Udinese to return in the lead of the Italian league, before Juventus travel to AS Roma this Monday evening.
- The team against Chievo Vérone : Handanovic - Benatia, Danilo, Ekstrand - Basta, Isla (Doubai, 89’), Agyemang-Badu, Asamoah, Armero - Floro Flores (Abdi, 72’), Di Natale.
Finally, the Celtic Glasgow, forced to beat Udinese in order to qualify, has prepared this game in the best of ways, at home against Heart of Midlothian. It was Kenyan Victor Wanyama who freed Celtic Park twenty minutes before the end of the game (72’), scoring the only goal of the game.
A success with maintains a gap of four points between the Celtic and the Rangers, still in the lead.
- The team against Hearts : Forster - Cha Du-Ri, Majstorovic, Loovens (Brown, 46’), Mulgrew - Forrest, Kayal (Ki, 67’), Wanyama, Samaras - Stokes (Bangura, 90’), Hooper.