Adrián claimed a stunning goal to give Atlético Madrid a 1-0 victory at Valencia on Thursday, easing them into the final of the Europa League.
Goals were definitely on the agenda for the home side who, with a 4-2 deficit to overturn from the first-leg in the capital, set out their stall to attack right from the start.
But despite putting Atlético under relentless pressure, they could not break through, and they were stunned by a fantastic goal from Adrián, his 11th in the competition.
Diego clipped a perfectly-weighted ball over the top of the defense towards Adrián, who took it onto his chest before rifling a ferocious half-volley past the diving Diego Alves and into the top corner.
The effort put the Rojiblancos three-goals ahead on aggregate and was enough to take them through to the final in Bucharest were they will face Athletic Bilbao.
"Valencia had control of the game and pressed us, but we made a tactical change and in the second half we didn't have many problems," said Atlético coach Diego Simeone.
"As the game wore on spaces opened up and that's when Adrián scored his great goal."
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| Atlético Madrid sriker Adrián celebrates after scoring against Valencia in the Europa League Photo: Getty Images |
Goals were definitely on the agenda for the home side who, with a 4-2 deficit to overturn from the first-leg in the capital, set out their stall to attack right from the start.
But despite putting Atlético under relentless pressure, they could not break through, and they were stunned by a fantastic goal from Adrián, his 11th in the competition.
Diego clipped a perfectly-weighted ball over the top of the defense towards Adrián, who took it onto his chest before rifling a ferocious half-volley past the diving Diego Alves and into the top corner.
The effort put the Rojiblancos three-goals ahead on aggregate and was enough to take them through to the final in Bucharest were they will face Athletic Bilbao.
"Valencia had control of the game and pressed us, but we made a tactical change and in the second half we didn't have many problems," said Atlético coach Diego Simeone.
"As the game wore on spaces opened up and that's when Adrián scored his great goal."
Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
