ATLETICO MADRID WIN EUROPA LEAGUE: Diego Forlan the two goal hero!

Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 Fulham

(1-0) 31' Forlan, (1-1) 38' Davies, (2-1) 116' Forlan

Atletico Madrid ended 48 years of hurt to land the Europa League in Hamburg, defeating English side Fulham 2-1. Diego Forlan was the two goal hero, striking the first of the match after 30 minutes and leaving it late to grab the winner, just four minutes from the end of extra time. The Uruguayan has saved his best for Europe this season, with the English bearing the brunt of his razor-sharp finishing. Call it revenge after his barren spell at Manchester United, but the hitman has scored crucial goals against Liverpool and Fulham, almost single-handedly driving Atleti to Euro glory. But this was no one-man-show. Forlan was aided by an electric performance from Sergio Agüero and solid displays from youngsters Dominguez and David de Gea, as Atleti overcame a resolute Fulham side to snatch the trophy just as the dreaded penalty shootout was approaching. 

You have to take your proverbial hat off to Fulham, who have been nothing short of an absolute revelation in this tournament. Mohamed Al Fayeds team refuse to back down from a fight, taking little time to claw themselves back into the final with an equaliser through Welshman Simon Davies. Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu put in admirable shifts, but they were hampered early in the second half as their menacing focal point, Bobby Zamora, was forced off injured, leaving them glaringly short of presence up front. Atletico carried the greater threat throughout, especially when 'El Kun' grabbed hold of the ball. The Argentine was a constant menace for Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes, and it was their failure to deal with his incisive runs that ultimately cost them. It was desparately sad for the neutral to see Roy Hodgson and his unfancied team of veterans fall at the last hurdle, but Fulham more than contributed to what was a hotly contested final, dominated by two imposing defences. They simply lacked the class and ruthlessness of Agüero and Forlan.

There have been some miserable moments down the years for Atleti; a perpetual suffering as the club hurdled crisis after crisis. Yet it makes moments like this even sweeter. The Neptune Fountain finally got the celebration it's been lacking since 1962. The man who has turned it all around at the Vicente Calderon, Quique Sanches Florez, was flung in the air by his ecstatic players in the frenzied celebrations after Antonio Lopez lifted the trophy; a clear sign of their admiration for the former Valencia coach. The job Quique has done since he arrived early  this season to replace Abel Resino simply cannot be underestimated. Back on October 23rd he entered into an undignified mess. Seven months later they have the Europa League in the cabinet and a Copa del Rey final to look forward to in one weeks time. He has etched himself a place in Atleti folklore.

So a massive congratulations to Atletico Madrid and all their fiercely loyal supporters, who have waited almost half a century for another taste of European silverware. On to the Camp Nou for Round two.

Europa League: Forlan sends jubilant Atletico packing to Hamburg!

Liverpool 2 - 1 Atletico Madrid
(1-0) 43' Aquilani, (2-0) 94' Benayoun, (2-1) 102' Forlan

Heros. The lot of them. Atletico Madrid fought back from the brink of elimination  to plant themselves in next months Europa League final in Hamburg, where they will face Roy Hodgsons Fulham. After a season full of desparate lows and blissful highs, Atleti find themselves in two cup finals. Quite how they manage to mix dismal defeats at home with passionate performances on the continent is beyond the understanding of even the hardened footballing connoisseur. I guess you could say they do it their way. The Atleti way. Tonight, years of lost pride were recovered. They played with their hearts on their sleeves. Something the fans felt had been severely lacking in recent years. It came at the right time.

But boy did they suffer. Liverpool came out of the traps in predictably hungry mood, with David de Gea and his defence having to be on their toes as early as the first minute as Kuyt and Gerrard threatened. Strangely, as the first half unfolded and Liverpools initial bombardment subsided, the Atletico players broke into what was almost a swagger. Liverpool lacked the relentless intensity they would surely have offered had it been a Champions League tie. Atletico sensed that against a Liverpool side without Fernando Torres they were more than a match for their illustrious hosts. A daunting trip to Anfield? Or a walk in Stanley Park? It seemed to good to be true, so it felt inevitable when as halftime approached, Alberto Aquilani drew Liverpool level in the tie with an exquisite swivel and shot that creeped inside the post. Suddenly the Kop was in full voice and Atleti were back in a war of attrition. End to end football, with little end result, characterised the second half, as both teams looked to attack at every opportunity.

As the teams entered into extra time, you felt it was Liverpool more than Atleti that were happy to let the tie be decided from the spot. Out of nowhere, a sumptuous chipped pass set Yossi Benayoun free in the area, with the Israeli making no mistake with his drilled first time shot across De Gea. Now it was Liverpool who were minutes away from Hamburg. Yet even after this potentially fatal setback, Atletico refused to buckle. Instead, eight minutes later, Jose Antonio Reyes bolted in from the right, ghosted past Glen Johnson and lifted a pass towards Diego Forlan that was worthy of a trip to Hamburg in its own right. As you'd expect, Forlan made no mistake from 2 yards out. The former Man Utd striker hadn't had a sniff all night, but he timed his strike to perfection. It only remained for Atleti to survive a frantic finale which saw Liverpool throw bodies forward in a desparate search for that decisive third goal. It never came.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations from a jubilant Atletico who reach a European final, 26 years after their appearance in the European Cup final of 1974. If they win it would be their first European trophy since 1962 when they won the European Cups Winners Cup. Only Fulham stand between Atletico and history. Even if they lose, those players have retained pride that has been lost over years of mediocrity. Atletico are a European force once more.

Europa League: Atletico Madrid take giant leap towards Hamburg

Atletico Madrid 1 - 0 Liverpool
(1-0) 8' Forlan

Atletico Madrid put one foot in Hamburg as they downed Liverpool in the Vicente Calderon courtesy of a Diego Forlan strike after only 8 minutes. As shocking as they have been recently in La Liga, they returned to something like their best tonight as they took advantage of a disjointed Liverpool display to record a vital first leg victory. The defence was unrecognisable from the back four that capitulated against Xerez in their last home encounter. Organised, attentive and competitive. Luis Perea has been the laughing stock of Spain at times this season but tonight was his night. The Columbian was superb.

Jose Antonio Reyes delivered another dazzling performance that will have Vicente Del Bosque taking note. The man from Utrera was unplayable. Surging runs, nifty footwork and passes that deserved goals. How he merited the ovation he was afforded when subbed in injury time. Diego Forlan, got the all-important winner, a scrappy finish, offering another olive branch to the fans who had lost faith in their goal machine. The chance was created by Jurado; hardly the crowds choice for Player of the Year himself, but another whose stock rose above the waterline with a gritty display.

Blunted by the loss of Atleti hero, Fernando Torres, Liverpool only ever ruffled Atletico when Steven Gerrard broke free in the area only to shoot against the side-netting. Infact, the advantage Atleti take to Anfield could well have been greater. Pepe Reina reminding his compatriots just why he's their number two with a stunning reflex save from Simoa that has kept his team in with a shout. With Sergio Agüero available for the second leg, you wouldnt bet against an away goal, which would leave Liverpool needing three to go through. Nearly there.

Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo to the double: Real Madrid return to the top

Getafe 2 - 4 Real Madrid
(1-0) 13' Ronaldo, (2-0) 20' Higuain, (3-0) 23' Higuain, (4-0) 37' Ronaldo, (1-4) 38' Parejo, (2-4) 80' Pedro Leon

It had been widely reported before the match that Real Madrid had a worse game to points ratio in El Coliseum than in the Camp Nou. If it had even entered the minds of Real Madrids stars, it certainly didn't show. The first half of this match was so one-sided, such an incessant wave of white movement, it was almost embarrasing to watch. Xavi Alonso was majestic in the middle, ordering his artillery ahead of him with the precision he so often demonstrated at Anfield. Shots rained down on Ustaris goal with such alarming regularity, Getafe must have felt like throwing in the towel at half time. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Higuain in this mood, you havn't got much hope.

The first goal came courtesy of yet another Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick, as he continues to consolidate his position as the deadliest player from set pieces on the planet; todays was his sixth this season. Most players have to choose between power or precision. Not Cristiano. Todays free-kick was only inches outside the box, yet he managed to curl it up over the wall and into the top corner with such force, it had flown past Ustari before he had time to react. Then Gonzalo Higuain took over with two typically Higuain goals. The Argentine is dynamite in the area. His goals just so effortless, with the striker almost strolling through the Getafe defence and past the keeper for his second. If Higuain is the silent assassin, Cristiano is a full-on missile launcher. Having bamboozled Mario with a series of stepovers, he let fly with another short, sharp swing of his right boot; the ball a blur as it shot past a shellshocked Ustari.

Getafe hit back with two goals of their own, but it was just a case of salvaging pride. Parejo took advantage of a Casillas mistake to stroke into an empty net, although many will feel the goal was unjust as Casillas lay stricken on the turf after being subject of a robust, although perfectly legitimate, challenge from the goalscorer. The match inevitably slowed down after that avalanche of goals, with Pedro Leon netting the final goal with ten minutes remaining. As the game peetered out, Pedro Mosquero was finally handed his debut. A talented midfielder who has worked his way up from the Castilla reserves, Madrid fans will hope he is the first of many youngsters to make the breakthough in the coming years. In the meantime it is the job of their Galacticos to ensure that Barca don't walk away with a second successive league title. The Clasico in three weeks promises to be electric, but  before Barca come to town they have a derby to take care of.

Atletico Madrid 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao

(1-0) 54' Forlan, (2-0) 86' Agüero

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways after their horror show in Mallorca with a vital victory against Athletic Bilbao which reignited their push for Europe. Lead by an impeccable performance from Tomas Ujfalusi, who handled big Fernando Llorente as well as any defender this season, Atletico survived a first half onslaught from the Basque side and hit them with two second half sucker punches. Diego Forlan got the first just before the hour, as he took advantage of a slide rule pass from Valera to sidefoot past  Gorka Iraizoz. The goal was his tenth against Atheltic, more than against any other side, and the celebration had more than tinge of anger, as he let out a few weeks of frustration by gesturing angrily to the crowd. 'People have a short memory' he said after the match, a clear sign that the fans complaints about his lack of form havn't gone unnoticed.

Bilbao tried to fight back, but in vain and the game was over when Sergio Agüero tricked his way into the area before firing in. Athletic will feel hard done by, with Javi Martinez and Gabilondo both putting in impressive shifts. How they needed the killer instinct of Atleticos front two. So Atletico move towards the Bernabeu in high spirits. Only five points off the UEFA spots, in the final of the Copa del Rey and in the last eight of the Europe League. Crisis? What crisis?

Check out what the lads at MadridAtleticos thought about the match HERE!

Atletico Madrid on the charge

Say it quietly, but Atlético Madrid could well be a force to be reckoned with as we enter the business end of the season, and it might even yield a trophy or two. The last few weeks (let's pretend that miserable defeat to Almeria never happened) have seen the men from the Vicente Calderon sweep aside one of the finest Barcelona sides La Liga has ever seen; leave the footballing equivalent of hell with a stunning win that has them among the favourites for the UEFA Europa League; and they have just thrashed a Valencia team that have been the best of the rest as Real Madrid and Barca negotiate their own personal battle at the top.

Much credit has to go to Quique Sanchez Flores, who inherited an absolute mess, but has turned it around in only four months. He has instilled confidence into a squad that was on its knees, through sheer hard work on the training pitch and if Marca is to be believed, through borrowing some famous words by Al Pacino in 'Any Given Sunday'. The victory against Barcelona could easily have been put down to the famous Jekyl and Hyde nature of this enigmatic football club, but the manner in which they knocked out Galatasaray in the fearsome Ali Yemi Sen Stadium, and then systematically dismantled a rejuvenated Valencia (it could so easily have been 7 or 8 that day), shows that Atlético mean business.

Jose Antonio Reyes has also been instrumental in this upsurge (again this has to be down to Quique who nurtured Reyes back to form at Benfica last year), with some sparkling performances on the wing, which has helped Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero to finally rediscover their midas touch infront of goal. Winter signing Tiago has been a revelation in the middle of the park, which has also taken some pressure off Raul Garcia and Assuncao. Bar the odd mishap, Perea and Tomas Ujfalusi might just be getting the knack of defending at the highest level, and David De Gea is beginning to prove he could well be the succesor to Iker Casillas' throne. Quique has grumbled about his sides fixture congestion, but it might well be that 17 matches in only two months has galvanised his team; they've simply had nowhere to hide and have come out fighting.

They look more solid as a unit, and whilst we all knew what Forlan, Agüero, Jurado, Reyes and Simao were capable of, they are finally beginning to gel, as nine goals in their last four matches would suggest. Atlético still need to eradicate silly laps of concentration at the back and to motivate themselves for all matches and not just those against champagne opposition. But if they manage to ride this wave of good form into May, they can look forward to the Copa del Rey final, the Europe League run-in and a push for the UEFA spots in La Liga with renewed optimism. They could win or they could lose: but will they win or lose like men? Only time will tell.

Copa del Rey Semi-Final: Atlético smash four past Racing

Anything can happen in football, but whilst they may still be a glimmer of hope for Getafe in their second leg against Sevilla, Atletico Madrids emphatic 4-0 thrashing of Racing Santander pretty much has their name printed on that ticket to the final. The scoreline is harsh on Racing, but Atletico deserved the win, lead by a spectacular showing from Argentine forward Sergio Agüero. He didn't get on the scoresheet, but he played a huge role in Simaos cracking opener and ran the Racing defence ragged from then on, earning the second penalty of the night which Diego Forlán duely converted. The Uruguayans first penalty was an absolutely shocking decision from the ref, with the foul committed a clear metre outside the box (see below). Jose Antonio Reyes got the other goal, but his night ended prematurely when he was stretchered off with what appears to be knee ligament damage, although initial reports suggest he'll only be out for two weeks. Keeper De Gea and much maligned defender Perea also performed admirably, as the Vicente Calderon finally got something to cheer about.