Athletic Bilbao managed to fulfill their ambition in reaching the Europa League final this season after successfully turning their 2-1 deficit in the first leg with a 3-1 victory over Portuguese representatives, Sporting Lisbon, at San Mames stadium.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side should be thanking their main striker, Fernando Llorente, for the success as the Spanish international was the one who netted in the decisive goal only two minutes from time.
Europa League semi final action got underway Thursday night with Atletico Madrid and Sporting Lisbon both winning to enhance their chances of making the May 9th final.
In Spain, it was an all Spanish affair between capital club Atletico and Valencia with Atletico winning 4-2 thanks to their in-form striker Radamel Falcao who netted twice to give Atletico a massive advantage ahead of the return leg at the Mestalla next week.
The pressure was definitely with the 2010 winners who needed only 18 minutes to get on the score sheet. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao headed in a close range shot from an Arda Turan cross to give the home side the lead, however, Valencia levelled deep in extra time to see both sides go into the break all square.