Watch Valencia vs Atlético Madrid livestream April 19, 2012. UEFA Europa League

Thursday’s Europa League semifinal showdown between Valencia and Atletico Madrid should be a cause for celebration around Spanish football.   Three of the four semifinalists in the competition play in Spain (Athletic Bilbao is in the other semifinal against Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon).   Coupled with the Champions League having a potential Real Madrid-Barcelona final plus the success of the national team, Spanish football and its club sides are enjoying unparalleled international success.
While the joy is palpable around most of the remaining squads, Valencia are feeling somewhat lacking in confidence.   Coach Unai Emery is under fire once again, a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Espanyol erasing the feel-good memories of a hard fought 0-0 draw at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid last Sunday.   Their hold on 3rd place is slipping, with a hungry Malaga side now a point from taking the automatic berth to next season’s Champions League.   It’s almost certain the energetic Emery is a goner after the season. The Europa League campaign gives the Basque coach one last chance at a title before his reign expires.
Where did it all go wrong for Los Che? Certainly, the injuries to Ever Banega and Sergio Canales didn’t help. But it’s safe to say the squad tired of Emery’s over-analysis and possibly tuned the coach out.   Let’s not forget the effects of finishing third season after season. Valencia’s path to the top is essentially blocked by the big budget spending of Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Valencia’s plan of austerity has availed them of some of their financial pressure, losing key players like Juan Mata and David Silva every season takes it toll.  It’s a wonder Valencia are even in the position they’re in, fighting in Europe and scraping by in the league. It’s a shame Emery’s hard work isn’t more appreciated by Valencia’s insatiable supporters.   Unfortunately, confidence is low with the fan base and a shake-up is needed.
Over at Atletico, things are looking up. After their 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Los Colchoneros sit ninth, a point behind sixth place Osasuna.   Sure, they’d lost three of their last four games, including one to city rivals Real Madrid. But here they are, on the precipice of winning another Europa League title (they won in 2010), only a point from qualifying for Europe once again.   Coach Diego Simeone has stabilized a squad that was all over the map before he arrived.   Simeone’s arrival in December brought about a change in playing style and reignited a passion among fans that had been fading in previous months. As a member of Atletico’s 1996 Liga and Copa del Rey winning squad, ‘El Cholo’ received a hero’s welcome on his return to the Vicente Calderon.  Striker Rafael Falcao has been a great buy, scoring 20 goals in 27 league appearances in his debut season with Los Colchoneros. The Colombian has also managed eight goals in twelve matches in the Europa League – a competition in which he struck a record 17 times en route to victory with Porto last season.  The young forward Adrian has also been instrumental in getting Atletico to the semis.   The Golden Boot winner with a victorious Spain side at last summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Adrian has found the target six times in the UEFA Europa League (group stage on) this season.
There’s Europa League history between the two squads as they faced each other in the quarter finals back in 2010, the season Atletico won it.   Atletico advanced on away goals after Valencia were denied a late penalty for an apparent foul on Nikola Zigic by Juanito. Zigic’s shirt was torn, the referee didn’t see it and the team then coached by former Valencia man Quique Sanchez Flores went on to win the tournament.  ”When I saw who won that title… the truth is, I thought it could have been our time after a penalty not given to Zigic in the closing minutes of the second leg of the quarter-final,” said Valencia coach Emery. “But we now have the opportunity to be close to the title again.”

But how close are they really?  Confidence may be low at Valencia but the squad’s deep and talented.  I expect a scrappy, open affair between two clubs that know each other very well.  In the end, Unai Emery’s men want this more. Atletico may be talented but they’re weak in certain areas, especially defense and goalkeeper.

It’s 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon for Los Che with everything to play for at the Mestalla in a week.
Click Here To Watch Valencia vs Atlético Madrid Semi-final In HD