Controversial:

Atlético de Madrid failed to impress in the Champion’s League, suffering a humiliating 4-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge, but clinched third place. That meant that Atlético joined the Europa League in the last thirty-two. They were very fortunate to progress past the all-Spanish quarter-final against Valencia. After 2-2 draw in the Mestalla,

Valencia had to win or get a higher scoring draw in the Vicente Calderón Stadium. They were denied a clear penalty that left Serbian striker, Nikola Žigić’s shirt torn. Despite showing the evidence of the foul to the referee, play was waved on. Another penalty appeal was refused and Valencia coach Unai Emery Etxegoien was sent off, but had his say as he left the pitch. Valencia players took up the cudgels after his departure, surrounding the referee to remonstrate with him after the final whistle was blown – home refereeing at its worst.

Nevertheless, Atlético progressed to the semi-final, where they faced Liverpool, who had also dropped down from the Champion’s League. After extra time the Spaniards progressed, again on away goals. “It would have been a great experience to play them [Liverpool] in an all English final, but I think it’s also nice to play a team we’ve never come across in the league, so it will be a great game,” said Norway’s captain Brede Hangeland. “They’ll be favourites, but we’ll be hard to beat as well.”

In Their Own Words:

Atlético had reached the final and would face West-London’s oldest professional top flight club, Fulham, so what did the Cottagers’ players think of their opponents? Zoltán Gera played an important part in Fulham’s run to the final. He will be remembered for scoring the winning goal in the semi-final, but his contribution was far more than just that. Gera is one of many players that Roy Hodgson’s magic touch has inspired.

“Obviously they are a very good team,” said the Hungarian international midfielder. “They beat Liverpool. I’m just happy to be there and on the day I want to win." Atlético will start as the favourites, but Bobby Zamora – considered unlucky to have missed out on a place in England’s thirty man squad, by many and not just Fulham supporters – is unfazed.

“We’ve not had any easy games to get here so I see no reason why not,” said Zamora. “We’ve gone all the way. What’s the point in going out there not thinking you want to win it? It would be stupid, so we’re going to go out and give it our all. It’s one game and one game only.”

Atlético’s Threat:

He certainly isn’t the best player Atlético have, but former Sevilla and Arsenal winger José Antonio Reyes will hope for a chance to impress, but another foreigner who failed to impress in England’s Premier League will be a greater threat. The Uruguayan Diego Forlán failed at Manchester United, but resurrected his career with Villarreal, winning the top scorer award in Spain during his spell with the Yellow Submarines as Villarreal is affectionately known.

Forlán took his goal-scoring touch to Atlético, where he formed a dangerous partnership with the Argentinian striker Sergio Argüero del Castillo – son-in-law of current Argentina coach and arguably greatest ever player Diego Maradona. So how will Fulham cope with the potent threat the South American forwards pose?

“I mean it’s going to be a great game for us,” said Ghanaian defender John Pantsil. “We fought hard and we played a big, big, big team like them and we were able to cope with them and beat them, so we’ll go out there and take care of it for the trophy.”

Pantsil will help to cut supply to Forlán and Argüero, but the central defenders led by Brede Hangeland will be responsible for controlling them. The Norwegian captain is relishing the task. “Yeah in the premiership there’s not many players like them obviously,” said Hangeland. “They’re continental strikers and we’ve come across a few of them during this competition, so we’ll be well prepared, but there’s plenty of time to think about that.”