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09/ 05/ 12
| The game of our lives
| • Atletico and Athletic play in Bucharest in the UEFA Europa League Final • The capital of Romania is painted red and white
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European record breaking Atletico Madrid against the Giant Killer’s of Bielsa. No doubt, Bucharest will host one of the best games you can see right now in Europe. At stake, nothing less than the UEFA Europa League.
When Simeone’s men run out at the National Arena tonight in the Romanian capital, they will do so on the back of eleven consecutive victories in Europe, a streak that equals the all-time best set by Ajax and Barcelona. Those on the banks of the Manzanares want to add Bucharest to the cities that they have already conquered this season including; Valencia, Hanover, Istanbul, Rome, Glasgow, Guimaraes and Drammen. Atletico have frightening numbers. Of the 18 matches in Europe this season they have only lost one and drawn another, winning the rest.
The opposition are the lions, who also reached the European final in grand style after beating rivals Schalke, Sporting and Manchester United. Bielsa's boys dream of removing the barge to the estuary of Bilbao in a season in which they will play two finals. The King's Cup will take place, anecdotally, in the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
The scene for tonights final will be no less spectacular. 55,000 spectators can enjoy the game live at the National Arena, the largest stadium in Romania, after opening last September, it’s the first major European final.
Simeone has traveled to Bucharest with all the first team and Pedro.However, neither Silvio, Antonio Lopez, Fran Merida, nor Tiago will not be playing.The first two are still recovering from his injuries, the third and cuptied after playing in this competition with Braga and Tiago was sent off in Valencia. The absence of the Luso opens the doors of the eleven to Mario and Gabi, two home-grown players that could be the heart of the Atletico midfield tonight.
To remain faithful to their styles, Athletic like ball possession and looking for the goal rocking their rival with possessions from side to side of the field. For their part, Simeone’s men alternate ball control with the dizzying offensive pace which has already earned the respect of the continent.
Prepare your memories, open your eyes. Whatever happens today, will be unforgettable. As in Hamburg, as in Monaco ... this is the game of our lives. The third final in two years.
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