Undermanned Sporting await Atlético
Sporting Clube de Portugal will look to take advantage of a goalless first leg when Club Atlético de Madrid make their first competitive visit to Lisbon in the teams' round of 16 second leg.

Sporting Clube de Portugal will look to take advantage of a goalless first leg when Club Atlético de Madrid make a first competitive visit to Lisbon in their UEFA Europa League round of 16 decider.

• There were no goals at the Vicente Calderón, much to the relief of the visitors who had Leandro Grimi (31) and Tonel (89) dismissed. Both are suspended for the second leg.

Previous meetings
• Sporting have contested 17 UEFA competition matches with Spanish sides, and their record reads W5 D4 L8 (W5 D1 L2 at home).

• Atlético have faced Portuguese opposition nine times in UEFA competition, with their record reading W2 D3 L4 (W0 D1 L3 in Portugal).

• Atlético lost 2-0 away and 3-0 at home to FC Porto in this season's UEFA Champions League group stage. They also met the Dragons in the first knockout round of the same competition last season, bowing out on away goals.

• Despite all their experience of Portuguese opposition, this will be Atlético's first competitive visit to Lisbon; their only previous Portuguese opponents (Boavista FC, Porto and Vitória SC) came from outside the capital.

Match background
• Sporting are unbeaten in six European home games this season, though they have drawn four of those fixtures.

• Atlético have won two of their five European away games this season, losing two and drawing one of the others. They have lost only one of their last six UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League away games, going down 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers FC in the 2007/08 round of 32.

Team facts
• Simão started his career at Sporting, rising through the club's youth ranks before leaving for FC Barcelona in 1999. He later enjoyed a successful spell as captain of SL Benfica (2001-07), playing in every game as they won the 2004/05 title – their first in 11 years.

• Having joined Atlético in 2007, Simão scored the 4,000th Liga goal in the club's history on 12 April 2009 in a game against RC Deportivo La Coruña.

• Quique Sánchez Flores and José Antonio Reyes both spent 2008/09 at Benfica.

• Marco Caneira played for Valencia CF (2004-06 and 2007-08), where he was coached by Quique Flores, who led the club between 2005 and 2007.

• Matías Fernández and Diego Forlán played together at Villarreal CF in 2006/07.

• Paulo Assunção played for CD Nacional (2002-04) and Porto (2005-08) prior to joining his current club.

• Atlético's next goal will be their 350th in UEFA club competition. The second leg with Sporting will be their 207th European game.

• Florent Sinama Pongolle represented Atlético in their autumn campaign before joining Sporting during the winter transfer window. He is not eligible to play in Europe this season.

• The draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals will be staged at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday 19 March. There is no country protection.

Penalties
• Sporting's only two European penalty shoot-outs ended in defeat; 5-3 at FC Dinamo Minsk in the 1984/85 UEFA Cup and 4-3 at SSC Napoli in the 1989/90 edition of the same competition.

• Atlético have lost all three of their UEFA club competition penalty shoot-outs to date; 7-6 at home to Derby County FC in the 1974/75 UEFA Cup, 3-1 at ACF Fiorentina in the 1989/90 UEFA Cup and 3-1 at home to Villarreal CF in a 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup final.

From: Uefa.com

According to Marca, three goalkeepers are included in the Europa league squad against Sporting. Tiago and Ibrahima are not eligible and Pablo has been dropped by Quique's decision.

The full sguad:

Yesterday official squad was on at-madrid.com :

PORTEROS
1. Asenjo.
42. Joel.
43 De Gea.

DEFENSAS
2. Valera.
3. Antonio López.
4. Pernía.
16. Juanito.
17. Ujfalusi.
18. Álvaro Domínguez.
21. Perea.
24. Cabrera.

CENTROCAMPISTAS
6. Ignacio Camacho.
8. Raúl García.
9. Jurado.
12. Paulo Assunção.
14. Salvio.
19. Reyes.
20. Simão.

DELANTEROS
7. Forlán.
10. Kun Agüero.

Two players will throw out.

I have the feeling that we will get a good result.
I'm going for a 2-0 victory for Atletico

Europa League Preview: Sporting Lisbon - Atletico Madrid
Atletico have a mammoth task on their hands.....

Kick-Off: Thursday, March 18, 2010, 21:00 CET.
Jose Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon

Quarter-Final Qualification Beckons

Sporting Lisbon started the season poorly but have picked up momentum and are currently fourth in the Portuguese Liga with 38 points from 23 matches. Moreover, they seem to be going pretty strong in the Europa League as well as they drew 0-0 with Atletco Madrid at the Calderon in the first leg of their last 16 tie last week despite finishing the game with just nine men.

Sporting will certainly be pleased with the result as they know that they have the form and the support of the home crowd to get the better of the Spanish side at home. Atleti are not very good on their travels and the Portuguese giants will be keen to exploit that.

Daunting Prospect

Atletico Madrid do not have to travel far for the second leg as Portugal is just around the corner, but for 'El Pupas' to reach the quarter-finals of the Europe League it will take something special.

The 0-0 scoreline at home last week certainly puts the Madrid side in a fix as they have to score in Lisbon on Thursday evening to have any chance of progression. Although Atleti are masters of achieving the unachievable and do have the firepower to score at will, their defence remains a problem and so is their lack of European pedigree.


FORM GUIDE

Sporting Lisbon

March 14 v Guimaraes (H) - WON 3-1 (Portuguese Liga)

March 11 v Atletico Madrid (A) - DREW 0-0 (Europa League)

March 7 v Belenenses (A) - WON 4-0 (Portuguese Liga)

February 28 v FC Porto (H) - WON 3-0 (Portuguese Liga)

February 25 v Everon (H) - WON 3-0 (Europa League)


Atletico Madrid

March 15 v Osasuna (H) - WON 1-0 (La Liga)

March 11 v Sporting Lisbon (H) - DREW 0-0 (Europa League)

March 7 v Real Zaragoza (A) - DREW 1-1 (La Liga)

February 28 v Valencia (H) - WON 4-1 (La Liga)

February 25 v Galatasaray (A) - WON 2-1 (Europa League)


TEAM NEWS

Sporting Lisbon

Striker Florent Sinama Pongolle is Cup-tied having featured for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in the group stages. Leandro Damian Grimi and Tonel, both of whom were sent off in the first leg, are suspended. Junior centre-back Nuno Reis is likely to be included in the squad but Daniel Carrico looks to be out.

Probable Line-up (4-5-1): Patricio, Abel, Polga, Reis, Pedro Silva; Pereirinha, Veloso, Moutinho, Izmallov, Mendes; Liedson

Atletico Madrid

Coach Quique Sanchez Flores will have a full-strength side to choose from. Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero will be the two strikers and will be supported by wide midfielders Jose Antonio Reyes and Simao Sabrosa.

Probable Line-up (4-4-2): De Gea, Ujfalusi, Perea Alvaro Dominguez, Antonio Lopez; Reyes, Raul Garcia, Assuncao, Simao; Forlan, Aguero


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Atletico Madrid have brilliant firepower and they will try with all their might to score a goal in Lisbon. However, Patricio, who looked good in the first leg, will be a formidable barrier for the Spanish side. His organisation at the back and ability to stay calm even in trying conditions will be major assets for the Portuguese giants on Thursday.

Jose Antonio Reyes (Atletico Madrid)

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid winger has been sensational for Atletico Madrid this season and was arguably Atleti's most creative and imaginative player last weekend. He will again be at the forefront of Atleti's attacks and will be keen to destroy the hosts.


PREDICTION

Sporting will find Atletico Madrid an unpredictable entity and with two of their first choice defenders missing, they could concede a goal. Atletico might be able to stretch the game but they will have to score early in Lisbon to do so.

Sporting Lisbon 1-2 Atletico Madrid

--

Atletico Madrid Coach Quique Flores Expecting 'Totally Different' Game Against Sporting CP
Los Colchoneros need a score draw or better to progress...

Atletico Madrid coach Quique Flores has revealed that he expects a totally different game when his side face Sporting CP in the second leg of their Europa League encounter at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon.

The first leg in Madrid ended scoreless so a score draw or better will see los Colchoneros progress to the quarter finals and Flores insists his side will be wary of Sporting but will look to play their own game.

"It will be a different Sporting, who will play a more attacking game, trying to get on the ball and creating space in our defence. It will be a totally different game," he told a pre-match press conference.

"I can not imagine ninety minutes will be played in the same way. During the course of the game there will be times for counterattacks or different times to play on the ball."

Flores also highlighted Jose Antonio Reyes as key citing his previous record against the Lisbon side when he played in Portuguese football, under Flores.

"He's been very good against Sporting and has scored three goals in four games in which he faced them while playing for Benfica," he noted.

--

Atletico Madrid Captain Antonio Lopez: We Can Win The Europa League
Atleti captain eyes European glory…

Atletico Madrid captain Antonio Lopez has admitted he expects a difficult night in Lisbon tomorrow when his side take on Sporting CP in the Europa League, but insisted los Colchoneros have what it takes to lift the trophy.

“We know that every game is different and we must strive to succeed," he told the club's official website.

"We are in good form and we must continue on this line. We know we can go all the way and we are working hard every day,” he added.

Atletico go into tomorrow night’s match at Estadio Jose Alvalade on level terms following a goalless draw in the first leg and Lopez is ready to fly the flag for Spain following early European exits from Sevilla and Real Madrid.

“The tie is only at the half-way point,” Lopez continued. “We are always positive and believe we can score a goal.”

"It is true that many Spanish sides are falling in European competitions, but we must recognise that teams like Barcelona are still one step ahead. We are quietly confident and we must be cautious about what can happen.”

From: Goal.com

Seems some street fighting is going on between Atletico and Sporting' supporters.

AS.com

Any streams?

Oh my god, thanks to the team, that this has happened. Monumental Agüero with two class goals, especially the second after a masterpiece from Reyes.

At the second half we only had to fought and in which way. Perea is the old, very strong at the end.

Almost Reyes scored a wonderful goal, but a few centimeters were lacking.

In the end, I'm so happy.


Fulham, Benfica, Hamburg, Standard Liege, Liverpool, Valencia or Wolfsburg/ Kazan.


Btw at the last four ko games against Portuguese teams we haven't lost and won.

Unfortunately I had to settle for match highlights again. Anyway, as Fabi said, two masterclass goals from Kun (nice set-up from A Lo for the first one as well).

Sporting CP 2-2 Atletico Madrid: Aguero Powers Los Colchoneros To Last Eight (Agg: 2-2)
Atletico progress thanks to away goals rule...

Atletico Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals of this season's Europa League thanks to first half goals from Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero. Sporting CP twice came from behind to level but could not find the third goal in the second period to help them claim victory.

Atletico got off to a dream start when Sergio Aguero put the visitors ahead after just two minutes of play. Simao tried to break down the left after Aguero set him up but his ball was cleared out. But Antonio Lopez managed to win it back and overlap and hit a low dangerous ball across the box, which Aguero rifled into the roof of the net.

The game then looked to be in Atletico's control with the Spanish side passing the ball with ease. But just before the 20 minute mark, Liedson levelled it with some fine solo work. The Brazilian born striker controlled the loose ball and made his way towards goal and slotted it calmly into the Atletico net.

Both teams reacted positively to the goal. Sporting found a new energy to push them forward, while Jose Antonio Reyes and Aguero looked to push at the hosts any chance they got. And in the 33rd minute that chance came.

It started with Atletico passing the ball around in midfield before Reyes found himself in space to pick his pass, and that's what he did. A through ball put Aguero in a great position in the box. And with one touch he beat his man and with the second he flicked the ball with the outside of his right foot around the 'keeper and into the far corner.

Again it looked that an Atletico goal had taken the wind out of Sporting, but once more the hosts worked hard, fought their way back into the game and got their reward. On the stroke of half time Sporting had levelled it, 2-2.

Polga got the goal but it was all about Joao Moutinho's ball into the box. The Portuguese midfielder sent a cross in from the right wing, into the centre of the six-yard box and Polga cleverly got himself low to just a flick the header past the keeper.

The first half was going to be a tough act to follow, and so it proved. The second period never came close.

Sporting pushed and pressed and chased every ball down. But for all their possession they could not seem to make a good chance to trouble Atletico's defence.

They came close though in the 52nd minute, only to be denied by a brilliant David de Gea save. Saleiro found himself behind the Atletico defence, but the 'keeper made himself big and knocked it out for a corner.

From that point on, Sporting held most of the possession but Saleiro and Liedson lacked the spark up front to trouble Atletico's back line. And it was Atletico who had the better chances as the game wore down.

Reyes troubled Sporting throughout and he let a good chance go begging when the ball was cut back to him only for the Spaniard to swing it wildly wide.

Sporting then had a shout for a penalty. A ball hit over the top was chased onto Saleira who was closely followed by Tomas Ujfalusi. The defender got a foot in to put Saleira off and knock him over. But the referee saw nothing wrong and allowed play to continue.

In the last ten minutes Sporting really failed to create any openings. They had the ball and got forward but what they didn't waste, Atletico cleaned up.

And it was Atletico and Reyes who nearly made it three in the final stages. A long ball was knocked down by sub Diego Forlan to Reyes, who hit it first time on the volley. It was a superb effort and went just wide.

Sporting tried their best to get the ball and men forward but in the end it wasn't enough to turn the result, and so Atletico march on into the quarter-finals.

--

Atletico Madrid Coach Quique Flores Praises Players After Eliminating Sporting CP
The mattress makers are into the Europa league quarter final...

Atletico Madrid coach Quique Flores praised his players after they knocked Sporting CP out of the Europa League to claim a place in the quarter finals on away goals after a 2-2 draw in Lisbon.

Los Colchoneros needed a score draw or better to progress and thanks to a brace from Sergio Aguero they managed to do just that, twice taking the lead as all four goals came in the first half and Flores declared that the Argentine's impact in the tie was 'crucial'.

"It is clear that he [Kun Aguero] was crucial, but it would have come to nothing without the work and support of all the tea,. Overall we played the best we have all season. What is most unfair was the goals we conceded which left the tie really open," he told a press conference.

"Sporting in the second half were very motivated. We all know that the home team had to be more cautious but the second half was different. Although you can never say that we played bad.

"Our team has rad tha game well but the only negative is one or two individual errors."

--

Violence Breaks Out In Lisbon Between Sporting CP And Atletico Madrid Fans
Violence has broken out ahead of the Europa League clash tonight...

Half a dozen Sporting fans and close to 100 Atletico de Madrid fans clashed at noon today near the Jose Alvalade stadium in Madrid, as reported by Sic.pt.

According to reports, the buses carrying the Atletico fans were attacked by stone-throwing Sporting fans and Los Colchoneros didn't hesitate to jump out and respond to the attackers.

At the moment, no one has been detained in the attacks and injuries have not been ruled out. Reports indicate that the clash occurred between the most fanatic fans from each side as the rest of the Atletico fans have been touring the city of Lisbon without any incidents.

Atletico visit Sporting today in the Europa league with the hope of progressing to the quarter-finals.

From: Goal.com

What a great result yesterday

Interesting video absout the substitutio from Kun

Fabi wrote:


Haha, poor Pernia getting wet

Actually I think that outburst only shows how seriously he took the match and how much involved he was. That's a good thing for me.

The attitude of the team has recently been v.good, and Kun has always given his best.

It says all of the passion he has for playing for Atletico.