Real Madrid and Barcelona may be far from playing in the UEFA Europa League anytime soon, but other teams in La Liga have made their presence felt in the second most-relevant club competition in Europe.
Atlético strolled past OM in tonight's UEL final with a 3-0 score, and even if this is not the title they were eager to win when the season started (they were kicked out of the UEFA Champions League), they made the most out of the situation by matching the record for most wins in this competition since it was renamed.
3 - Atletico Madrid have won the UEFA Europa League on three separate occasions since the competition’s inaugural season in 2009/10, the joint-most of any side in the competition (also Sevilla). Champions. pic.twitter.com/4QBaZDl1n6
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2018
Los Colchoneros also joined a very exclusive list of UEFA Cup/Europa League winners that includes Inter Milan, Liverpool, Juventus and Sevilla.
Atlético Madrid becomes the fifth team to win 3 UEFA Cup/Europa League titles. Only Sevilla (5) has more
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2018
With the UEFA Champions League final ten days away, La Liga's teams confirmed they are a powerhouse when it comes to continental competitions.
Most Champions League/Europa League final wins by country – last 5 seasons:
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) May 16, 2018
8 – Spain (4 CL/4 EL)
1 – England (1 EL)#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/KGkSI5mZLp
Easy win for Atletico. Spanish teams have won 12 of the last 18 European finals. Hard to argue against La Liga being the strongest in Europe.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 16, 2018