Atletico make the final in style

Atletico Madrid got off to the perfect start in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium by adding to their 2-1 lead from the first leg after just 6 minutes. The opening goal came after some great individual work from Diego Costa who continues his great goal scoring record against Sevilla. He recived the ball 25 yards from goal and looked to be going nowhere, he twited and turned before unleashing a shot with his left foot that nestled in the bottom left hand corner, giving Atletico a vital away goal and putting them 3-1 up on aggregate.

 Sevilla looked for a reply but a well organised and disciplined Atleti were proving difficult to breakdown, but also looking dangerous on the break, and it was a fine break that saw the visitors double their lead. Falcao released Costa down the left wing, he showed great pace to keep the ball in before driving on down the line and when he got to the by-line he played the ball to the edge of the area, know where his strike partner was going to arrive. And right on cue, Falcao arrived to nip in front of his defender and finished first time to make it 2-0 on the night.

Diego Simeone was forced to make an early change after Thiago had been kicked on his arm, it was a like for like substitution that saw Mario Suarez slot in to the centre midfield alongside captain Gabi.

With the scoreline 4-1 in favour of Simeones men, the fan were dreaming of an all Madrid final, but just before the break, Jesus Navas got his first goal of the season, picking up the ball inside the Atletico penalty area and curling the ball past Courtois who had no chance of stoping it as it grazed the post on its way in to the back of the goal. Atleti leading at the break by 2 goals to 1, but most importantly, and aggregate lead of 4-2.

The second half started with Sevilla desperate to get an early goal and as they threw men forward it left gaps at the other end. The game really opened up and after the home side went close, Diego Costa shot wide n the 55th minute from 12 yards out. It was a golden opportunity to kill the tie, but was inches wide of the target.

  

Diego Simone on the Atletico bench started to reshuffle his pack and on 63 minute, Cristian Rodriguez replace Adra Turan and less the 10 minutes later Koke was on for Raul Garica who recived a standing ovation from the travelling Atletico fans.The supporter had been with them throughout the day and were there until the end.

The game seemed to be slowing down entering the last quarter but it was reignited with a sending off. In the 75th minute, the bulldog Medel received his marching orders after a foul on the Diego Costa who had been targeted by the opposition all night. With 10 men Sevilla threw everything they had a Atletico and in the 92nd minute levelled things on the night when Rakitic pulled one back, it was trivial and Atletico were cruising to the final at that stage.

Sevilla’s bad discipline continue and they were reduced to 9 men after Kondogbia was set off for a nasty tackle on Costa, an unsavoury end to the game, but a result which saw Atletico Madrid seal their place in the final against Real Madrid in May.