April 19, 2012 8:05 PM BST
Estadio Vicente Calderón — Madrid
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone has Juanfran, Gabi and Arda Turan all back from
suspension, but is now without key centre-back Diego Godin, who has
picked up 3 yellow cards in the knockout stages and is therefore
suspended.
Arda is pushing to return to the starting lineup, but he may be the only one of the returning trio who does not make it back in.
Long-term absentees Silvio and Antonio Lopez both remain out. Diego, Miranda and Luis Perea are all in a position where a yellow card would mean a suspension for the second leg.
probable lineups : Courtois, Luis, Miranda, Domínguez, Juanfran, Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Diego, Adrián, Falcao. (4-2-3-1).
Valencia
The main worry for Valencia is over star striker Roberto Soldado, who
has missed his side's last 2 games through injury. He is expected,
though, to be fit enough to return.
Right-back Antonio Barragan is suspended having picked up 3 yellow cards in the Europa League. Bruno should come in for him. Ever Banega remains injured. Valencia have 7 players who are one yellow away from missing the return leg.
probable lineups : Guaita, Bruno, Ruiz, Rami, Alba, Topal, Costa, Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu, Soldado. (4-2-3-1).
Match Facts
Atletico Madrid have won their last 9 matches in UEFA Europa League.
Atletico Madrid have scored at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 matches in UEFA Europa League.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Atletico Madrid's last 7 games in UEFA Europa League.
Valencia are undefeated in 26 of their last 28 matches in UEFA Europa League.
Valencia are undefeated in their last 6 matches against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.
Head to Head
Atletico Madrid| Apr 15, 2012 | Rayo Vallecano 0 - Atletico Madrid 1 | LIGA |
| Apr 11, 2012 | Atletico Madrid 1 - Real Madrid CF 4 | LIGA |
| Apr 8, 2012 | Levante 2 - Atletico Madrid 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 5, 2012 | Hannover 96 1 - Atletico Madrid 2 | EL |
| Apr 1, 2012 | Atletico Madrid 3 - Getafe 0 | LIGA |
Valencia| Apr 15, 2012 | Espanyol 4 - Valencia CF 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 11, 2012 | Valencia CF 4 - Rayo Vallecano 1 | LIGA |
| Apr 8, 2012 | Real Madrid CF 0 - Valencia CF 0 | LIGA |
| Apr 5, 2012 | Valencia CF 4 - AZ 0 | EL |
| Apr 1, 2012 | Valencia CF 1 - Levante 1 | LIGA |
| Spain - Primera Division | Feb 5, 2012 | Atletico Madrid 0 - Valencia CF 0 | |
| Spain - Primera Division | Sep 10, 2011 | Valencia CF 1 - Atletico Madrid 0 | |
| Spain - Primera Division | Feb 12, 2011 | Atletico Madrid 1 - Valencia CF 2 | |
| Spain - Primera Division | Sep 22, 2010 | Valencia CF 1 - Atletico Madrid 1 | |
| UEFA Europa League | Apr 8, 2010 | Atletico Madrid 0 - Valencia CF 0 |
Much has been made of the impressive number of Spanish teams making up
the semi finalists of Europe's 2 main continental competitions, and this
tie pits two of those against one another. Only 7 points and 4 places
separate these sides in their domestic league, and this should be an a
closely fought, yet entertaining affair.
The sides met at the quarter final stage of this competition 2 seasons
ago, when the leg in Madrid ended goalless, before a 2-2 draw in
Valencia saw Atletico progress on away goals, and eventually go on to
win the competition. However, Atletico have not won any of their last 6
meetings in all competitions with Valencia, or any of their last 3 home
games against them. Those last 6 games saw 36 cards dished out, and with
this game being a Europa League semi final, it could be another
tempestuous affair.
Atletico have been very difficult to beat at home this season, having
lost only 4 times in 25 home games all season, and given their
uninspiring away record, they will look to establish a lead in this leg
of the tie. Valencia, meanwhile, have won only 3 of their last 11 games
in all competitions, and have only won once away from home in their last
6. Unai Emery may well head to the capital with the aim of keeping the
tie within their grasp before the return leg, and would probably be
happy with a loss by a single goal. They will be up for the game and
will be better than they have been in recent weeks, but, on home soil,
Atletico will in all likelihood be too strong.
Atletico Madrid 3 - 1 Valencia
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