Last season, Portuguese teams left their prints in the UEFA Europa League with three teams from Portugal in the semis and an FC Porto-Braga final. This year, Spain lead the way with a trio of representatives competing among 13 other clubs in the Round of 16. Valencia, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao hold the pride of Spanish football. How far can any of these teams go in the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League?
Atletico Madrid
2010 UEFA Europa League champions Atletico Madrid are back after hitting low standards in Europe last season. The Madrid-based club qualified into the knockout stage without any problem. In the highlight of their group stage adventure, Atletico completed the double over Celtic and dismantled Group I runners-up Udinese 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon.
Maintaining their great form in Europe, they secured a commanding 3-1 victory away to Lazio and eventually reached the Last 16 thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win over their Italian foes. What will Atletico Madrid do of Turkey’s last representatives, Beskitas?
Valencia
Los Che were demoted from the Champions League to the continent’s second-tier club competition. Building upon their experience, they defeated English contenders Stoke City in the Round of 32 thanks to two 1-0 wins. Valencia are yet to concede a goal in the Europa League but they’ll have to watch out against PSV.
The Dutch challengers are full of confidence following their 6-2 aggregate victory over Trabzonspor in the previous round. PSV went through the group phase of the tournament unbeaten. With 5 wins and a draw, they claimed the top spot with 16 points from a possible 18. Valencia should be mindful that PSV have scored 19 goals in 8 Europa League games.
Will the Valencia-PSV Eindhoven produce many goals? Which team will edge the other?
Athletic Bilbao
They’ll be engaged in one of the Last 16’s most interesting matches. Playing a big team like Manchester United is always exciting and Athletic Bilbao want to make the most of their tie. Chances seem wide opened for the Copa del Rey finalists. After all, Manchester United’s form is not impressive in Europe.
Bilbao are actually Spain’s strongest contenders in the UEFA Europa League this season. They seat in fifth position behind Valencia in La Liga but in Europe they are fierce. PSG are the only side to force Bilbao to a defeat. Then again, it should be noted that the loss was of very little significance as it didn’t prevent the Spaniards from qualifying from Group F as winners.
Who can stop Spanish football from ruling the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League. Can the Spanish trio destroy the possibility of a Manchester United-Manchester City final?
