If ever a single moment could sum up as clubs whole season it would be Fernando Llorente's reaction to the final whistle after Thursday nights Europa League final. Once Athletic's place in the final was confirmed by a 3-1 victory on the night and 4-3 on aggregate the striker collapsed to the ground in tears alone in the corner of the pitch. Initially he was ignored by the multitude of teammates who converged in the centre of the pitch but they soon surrounded the floored striker in united celebration of their achievement.
From the very start Athletic made all the running. Up front Fernando Llorente was at his physical best as Sporting defenders bounced off his 6 ft 5 inch frame. Behind the big man three advanced midfielders Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta and Ibai Gomez rotated from left to right. Iker Munain relished the opportunity to take up the central role and dictated many of Athletic's intricate attacks along with Ander Herrera. Out wide Suseata and Gomez had a large variety of long diagonals and short passes to mix up their approach. It was in the 18th minute that Los Leones were rewarded with the opening goal. When three Athletic players confronted a single Sporting defender space opened up for Muniain who appeared on the right flank. As usual Llorente was the target for Muniain's cross but rather than have an attempt on goal himself he cushioned the ball down to Susaeta who volleyed his opportunity in to the back of the net.
The first half came to a manic end when both sides exchanged goals to leave the game level on aggregate at 3-3 at half time. Sporting's dangerman Ricky van Wolfswinkel pounced on a poorly cleared corner to rifle home from the edge of the area. For Athletic's second Llorente's link up play was once again crucial. On the edge of the area the Spanish international dragged the ball away from his marker and in the same movement laid the ball to Gomez to finish the move. The game was finely poised much like Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich the night before.
Shortly after half-time both side struck the post. First Javi Martinez rose above his marker to glance a header on to the post from an Ibai Gomez corner. Sporting also struck the post from a set piece when Emiliano Insua's free-kick was deflected on to the upright. Athletic continued to dominate the game as the clock ticked down towards the 90th minute but both sides looked a little cautious and both sides were guilty of gamesmanship in the latter stages. The longer the game went on the more important the next goal became. Fortunately for the home fans it was Llorente who grabbed the winner with just 2 minutes remaining. Ibai went around his full-back and crossed the ball to Llorente who got ahead of his marker, like he had done for much of the game, and his right foot shoot beat the goalkeeper at his near post.
After a prolonged period of injury time, and three late Bielsa substitutions, the final whistle blew and the San Mames erupted in the knowledge that hey had made it to their first European Cup final since 1977 when they lost to Juventus on away goals after a 2-2 draw across two legs. In 13 days time they will meet fellow Spanish opponents Athletico Madrid in Bucharest. After a night of quality attacking football there were so many impressive performances from Athletic's forward players but it was Llorente who stood out from the crowd. His link-up play and physical presence was second to none and it created many opportunities for the players around him. The Europa League final will be a fantastic game and Athletic have a chance of making history for the club and nobody would deny them after a fantastic run that has seen them knock out PSG, Lokomotiv Moscow, Manchester United, Schalke and now Sporting.
I was actually a bit upset at Ibai starting the game, because i felt that Iker would have a hard game when given so much defensive duty. But I must admit that Ibai proved me wrong what a game, was my man of the match.
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