Europa League – Rosenborg BK vs. Atletico Madrid - Half Time Report
The Spanish side were to visit the Norwegian side Rosenborg BK at their home ground as the Europa League kicked off during the midweek. The Europa League champions Atletico Madrid were looking for a win; however, their coach did not really
send out the best team he had. With the Madrid derby coming up next week, he decided to rest a few players as he sent down a totally new line up with Diego Forlan missing out the game.
On the other hand, the home side were prepared to face the Spanish side and even though the Champions did not kick off the Europa League with an impressive start this time round, they were still a threat to the Norwegian side and that
was the reason why they played the best team that they had.
The Spanish team played their best goalkeeper in the lot, the young Spaniard David De Gea. The Spaniard has been involved in too many transfer speculations as the English side Manchester United looked to be interested in the goal stopper;
however, the youngster is currently performing extraordinary well for the team.
The player who managed to injure the Argentinean maestro Lionel Messi, Tomas Ujfalusi was playing in his favourite full back position. Alvaro Dominguez and Luis Armaranto Perea played as the centre backs for the Spanish side as Antonio
Lopez operated on the left flank. Raul Garcia, Paulo Assuncao, Tiago and Simao featured in the midfield as the Atletico Madrid coach Erique Sanchez Florez decided to play a typical 4-4-2 in the Europa League. With Diego Forlan missing out on the trip to Norway,
the Argentinean striker Kun Aguero and Diego Da Silva Costa played up front to help the team in scoring goals.
On the other hand, the Norwegian side decided to play a 4-4-2 at home as well. Daniel Orlund featured between the two poles as a goal stopper while Mikael Lustig, Vadim Demidov, Mattias Bjarsmyr and Mikael Dorsin played at the back to
aid the team in the defense. Marcus Henriksen played as an attacking midfielder while Anthony Annan, Per Ciljan Skelbred and Morten Moldskred were playing in the centre midfield. Steffen Iversen and Rada Prica were the two strikers for the club and they were
expected to score goals for their side.
The game kicked off with style and during the 4th minute it was the Argentinean striker Kun Aguero who scored the goal for his side. The strike was simply outstanding as he found the ball at his feet while he made
a run inside the 18 yard box. The Atletico Madrid number 10 found the net with his stronger right foot and celebrated by running towards his goalkeeper David De Gea who is expected to leave the club anytime soon.
Morten Moldskred got a booking during the 28th minute as he brought down Kun Aguero just outside the 18 yard box. The free kick was taken by the Portuguese midfielder Simao who took the shot on target but could
not really find the back of the net.
The match was basically all for the visitors as the champions totally dominated the game. The Spaniards simply wanted to secure a win to gain the points that they need. The last second free kick was won by Atletico Madrid again and it
was again taken by Simao who couldn’t find the net again even though his shot was on target.
There was no extra time given and the teams proceeded towards the locker rooms with the visitors leading the game with a single goal. Even though the Spaniards got many opportunities in front of goal, they still found the net only once
and it was clear that their coach was not even concentrating on this game as he was more concerned about the derby match against Real Madrid over the weekend.
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