Atlético duo acknowledge Bilbao threat

Adrián and Courtois know they'll need to be at their best for the Europa League final

General - Posted on April 27, 2012 by - 7 Comments

ADRIAN LOPEZ ATLETICO MADRID VALENCIA EUROPA LEAGUE AFP Adrián celebrates match winner versus Valencia (AFP)

Two of Atlético’s heroes of the semi-final, Adrián and Thibaut Courtois, acknowledge that defeating Athletic Bilbao in next month’s Europa League final will be a tough ask.

Speaking to UEFA.com after the second leg of the tie against Valencia, Adrián said, “Athletic have so many qualities and play very well. They are formidable opponents. They are in the final for a reason and I think it will be a beautiful occasion.”

Goalkeeper Courtois, also speaking to UEFA.com said, “it’s going to be 50-50. We are more or less level in La Liga. In Athletic Club we know we are facing a great team where almost anything can happen but we hope we can win it.”

Adrián’s wonder goal in the second half was enough to kill off the tie and the striker pointed out that it was at this point that the game changed.

“We had chances on the counter and it was from one such move that we scored. After that, we were the better team,” Adrián said.

“We played two great games in this tie. We defended well. In the first half it was important to soak up pressure while in the second they didn’t come at us as much.”

Related posts:

  1. Simeone: “I’m delighted for all Atlético fans”
  2. La Liga: Athletic Bilbao 3 – 0 Atlético
  3. La Liga: Atlético Madrid 0 – 2 Athletic Bilbao
  4. Match preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Atlético
  5. Match preview: Atlético vs. Athletic Bilbao


Comments (7)

  1. Randy German at 4:37 pm on April 27, 2012

    Yes thats true they will be a tough opponents but I have 100%. Belief that we can get two trophies this year(Europa League) and (european supercup.)
  2. Javi Lozoya at 6:26 pm on April 27, 2012

    Adrian made history already with Atleti and at international stage. Like I said, he is Atleti’s top goalscorer in European competitions and also, the Spanish player with most goals in European competitions too with 11 goals, ahead of Raúl and legendary Di Stéfano.
    That’s an outstanding achievement from Adri, just wish he could stay for some years at Atlético. He could be a legend for the club you know. Well, like I said, he already is. Grande Adrian López Alvarez!!
  3. Javi at 11:43 pm on April 27, 2012

    Hey I wonder how Kun feels now. Remember he left us to go to a big team to win titles!!! And he can’t really cheer for us since he said he was never an Atleti fan.
  4. Atlético duo acknowledge Bilbao threat | Tom Pollock at 2:00 am on April 28, 2012

    [...] Atlético duo acknowledge Bilbao threat [...]
  5. Javi Lozoya at 2:23 am on April 28, 2012

    Not like it matters but Kun and City can still win the EPL so…
  6. manisynch at 11:57 am on April 28, 2012

    lets now concentrate on securin an european spot.
    as for bilbao, we will cross the bridge when we get there…..
  7. ascky at 1:46 pm on April 29, 2012

    I have 2 Europa League Final tickets to sell , if anyone interested send me a message at fluturas_ana88@yahoo.com

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