UEFA Europa League: Draws for both Valencia and Atletico Madrid

A strange old night for Atletico Madrid and Valencia in the UEFA Europa League yesterday. Atletico Madrid were unable to take an advantage into their second leg against Sporting Lisbon, who were forced to play for an hour with ten men, and eventually ended the match with nine. Sergio Agüero produced some flashes of individual brilliance, but that aside, the rest of the team failed to make the most of their numerical advantage. Simao and Diego Forlan were particularly disappointing, as Sporting set up a wall of men around their area that Atleti were simply unable to break down. Jose Antonio Reyes was kicked into the ground once more, a tactic which teams seem to be using to halt the man of the moment. Referees really need to crack down on these thuggish tactics, instead of petty nonsense like taking your shirt off when you score.

Talking of petty nonsense, Valencia were cheated out of a solid result against Werder Bremen by a pathetic performance by English ref Martin Atkinson. Not only did he signal a non-existant penalty for a bit of harmless 'grappling' in the box (which you will see 100 times in every match across the continent), but he also sent off Ever Banega, for something nobody saw. Even the German press were baffled. Good going. Torsten Frings made no mistake from the spot for Werder, whilst Juan Mata got the all important goal for Valencia shortly after Banegas dismissal, following good work from Pablo Hernandez. Unai Emery will be delighted with the insistence Valencia showed in going forward, even when down to ten, and he'll feel Valencia still have a chance going into next weeks decider in Bremen. Valencia are also indebted to Cesar, who turned back the years with some wonder saves at the back, which have kept his team in the hunt. The main blow for 'Los Che' was the injury to David Villa, who fell awkwardly on his shoulder, making him a serious doubt for this weekend league match against Barcelona in the Camp Nou.


Uefa Europe League: Round of 16 (First Leg)

Atletico Madrid 0 - 0 Sporting Lisbon

Valencia 1 - 1 Werder Bremen