Fortunes of Spanish teams in European competitions – La Liga Special
As many as four Spanish teams participated in European competitions over the weekend, with mixed fortunes to show for following the results of their matches. Villarreal participated in UEFA Champions League playoff round, while Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao and
Atletico Madrid all were involved in Europa League action. A defeat, another defeat, a draw and a victory were the results enjoyed by La Liga entities in their respective matches.
Villarreal were pitted against Danish club Odense in their Champions League playoff round. In the first leg in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denmark-c2884, the Yellow Submarines succumbed to a 1-0 loss and will be preparing to steal the march on their opposition in the second leg. Striker
Andreasson was on song for the Danish club, who made the Spanish side pay for their defensive inefficiency.
The northern club will have plenty to think about as they prepare for the second leg. Odense have a prior history on the continent, knocking out Real Madrid in 1994-1995 UEFA Cup. Being down 3-2 in the first leg, they managed to beat Los Blancos 2-0 to proceed
to the next round. They cannot be underestimated, and Juan Garrido should be better prepared in their next tie.
Sevilla on the other hand struggled against German side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Schlaudraff-c17801 after only five minutes in the game. Freddie Kanoute scored the equalizer before Schlaudraff gave his
side a much needed advantage before the second leg in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011.
Marcelino will be happy with the away goal and will be looking on his strikers to fire them home in front of their supporters. With a rejuvenated squad disposing of the threat of the Germans should not be a daunting task for the Sevillistas. The club has
a rich history in the competition, winning the older version of the tournament in consecutive years under Juande Ramos in 2005 and 2006.
As Sevilla and Villarreal lost in their respective away legs, Athletico Bilbao were held to a stalemate by Turkish side, Trabzonspor. It was a disappointing start for new coach http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marcelo-c23554 Bielsa, who saw his team impotent in front of goal. Bilbao should have
won the game after playing the majority of the match with numerical advantage over their opposition.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tolga-Zengin-c35210 put
on goalkeeping display as he denied their hosts the chance to take anything away from the game.
The only positives from Spanish sides came from Atletico Madrid, who beat their opponents convincingly in the first leg at home. Los Rojiblancos were paired with Portuguese side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitória-c40906 Guimarães to fight it out for progress to the next stage. Brazilian
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Elias-c12267 was on target twice for the capital based side as they took a firm grip of their tie.
Twenty-three-year old striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701 Alvarez was on song for Atletico as he assisted his teammate for his brace. Elias scored his first goal with a powerful header at the back post and increased his tally with a cool side-foot from the edge of the box.
Gregorio Manzano will be proud of the efforts shown by his side in their first competitive match. With http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabi-c14252 slotting easily in the centre of the park, and Adrian supplying his colleagues, things look to be bright on the horizon for Atletico.
Disclaimer: Views expressed here are the writer’s own and in no way represent bettor.com’s official editorial policy
Tags: