Atl Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 3-0 (Atletico Madrid Europa League 2012 Champions)

Marcelo Bielsa paced, he squatted, he sat down, he shouted, he looked on pensively, but whatever he did his Athletic side rarely threatened to make an impression on an Atlético Madrid team coached by one of his former players, Diego Simeone. Whatever Athletic have brought to the Europa League this season – which is a lot – however much the neutral might have wanted another of their displays of relentless attacking, tonight they were well-beaten.

Two first-half goals from the Colombian forward Radamel Falcao won the game, allowing Atlético to spend the final hour or so sitting deep, coiled always for a breakaway. Just as important was the job done by Gabi and Mario Suárez, sitting deep in midfield and protecting the back four, preventing Athletic from ever achieving the fluency of which they are capable.

In the last 20 minutes Athletic began to generate the sort of pressure of which they are capable, but by then it was far too late: the game had begun to slip away from them as early as the seventh minute. But Llorente was outshone throughout and squandered half-chances to level, heading wide when well placed before shanking a volley wide off his shin.

By contrast, Falcao's brilliance was matched with ruthless efficiency and he ensured Amorebieta paid the heaviest price for needlessly conceding possession on the edge of the box 11 minutes from the break.

Once Diego had whisked the ball back into the centre the 26-year-old controlled, sent a trio of Bilbao defenders skidding out of contention with a deft turn and hammered a finish past Gorka Iraizoz.

Bilbao coach Marcelo Bielsa introduced Inigo Perez and Ibai Gomez at half-time to try and breathe life into his flatlining side and was initially rewarded.
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 1-0 ( Radamel Falcao goal vs Athletic Bilbao 7′)
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 2-0 ( Radamel Falcao goal vs Athletic Bilbao 34′)
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 3-0 ( Diego goal vs Athletic Bilbao 85′)
Final score and result:- Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao 3-0 ( Falcao*2, Diego)

Arena National, Bucharest- Europa League 2012 Final- 9 May, 2012- Wednesday- 9/5/12- 19.45 UK