Rafa Benítez Blog RSS Rafa Benítez Blog

08
May 2012
14:18 Comments (15)

The UEFA Europa League Final is nearly upon us and it will feature two Spanish teams who will looking to redress the fact that no La Liga team, against all the forecasts, will be taking part in the Champions League Final in spite of both Barcelona and Real Madrid being favourites to be there.

So next Wednesday we will see an evenly matched final in Bucharest (Romania) between two sides who have had a great tournament, scoring goals and coming out on top in most of the games they have played to get to the final.

The following graphic shows the possible starting line-ups:


As for what we can expect from both teams, Atletico Madrid have based their success on team work, intensity in their play and the quality of their attacking players such as Diego’s passes, Falcao’s finishing and the individual ability of Adrian amongst other things.

You can add to this the attacking play of their full backs, Luis Felipe and now JuanFran, a wide player playing at full back, the balance that Mario Suarez and Gabi give them since Tiago is banned, and the solidity of the two centre backs and their goalkeeper, Courtois, who has had a great season.


As for Athletic, they have founded their success on the intensity of their play with and without the ball. Also the attacking of their full backs, especially Iraola, and their arrival from deep to support Llorente. The mobility of Susaeta and Muniain as well as the attacking of De Marcos and Ander Herrera gives them variety in their attack which, with Llorente, can be flexible due to his ability in the air and also with the ball at his feet. The defenders, solid and pragmatic, maintain the balance between attack and defence.


In essence, it promises to be an exciting match as it is evenly balanced with both teams having different characteristics and because of their fans who are among the most passionate and supportive when their players are seen to be giving everything for the cause.

15 Comments Send us your opinions
10/05/12 at 13:26:38 #11
Wolflin
The game proved you absolutely right, Rafa! The main difference between the two sides was indeed the quality in front of goal because of individual class from Falcao.

Like Barcelona against Chelsea Bilbao never used width properly to break Madrids defence up and had practically no Plan B, after the centre was flooded with bodies. Like this defending was quite easy for Madrid with a very solid keeper behind.

Somehow I feel, Bilbao did not exploit Diegos (and Turans) defensive weaknesses enough, and I thought, Muniain could play more as a winger instead of constantly running before Madrids defense.

Bilbao never got really to the groundline with their fullbacks as to be expected. Wonder, why teams do not change their tactics during such a game, especially because Bilbao have in Fernando Llorente a possible target man in the centre, different to Barcelona, who have not?
11/05/12 at 19:00:32 #12
adam jones
yes i agree an analysis of lfc vs valencia 2002 would be amazing.

do you have good memory or notes?

Response:

Hello Adam, we are preparing the book about the Champions League Memories, so you will have a lot of information about games. Thanks.

11/05/12 at 19:01:50 #13
peter smith
i think the europa cup is undervalued docyou think the winner of it should be allowed automatic entry to champions league.

it would make the competion so. much more interesting

Response:

Hello Peter, I like your idea, but at the same time you will be saying, 'if you win this competition you can go to another even better' you will be devaluating your own competition. Thanks.
12/05/12 at 15:24:02 #14
brian higgins
Rafa, i read an article about brendan rogers trying to bring the tiki taka spanish barca style to his team. It is possession football, high line..

what is the difference between this style and the style you have used at valencia and lfc ? is this style something you could adopt? would it work in england if not why not?

Response:

Hello Brian, the press is selling too many newspapers about this issue. In Spain, we try to play on the floor and to have possession for too many years. A lot of teams do the same but it seems something new now in England.
Thanks.
17/05/12 at 13:11:56 #15
Malawi Tiko
Go back to Anfield bro!
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