Champions League: Athletic, fast track, Atletico and Sevilla, the usual

With bags packed, the plane ready and eager to get a spot in the finals of the Champions League, the issue of Athletic de Bilbao was going to move along in the afternoon on Wednesday to Istanbul, where a scenario not lacking in hostilities Trabzonspor awaited him, with which he tied to zero at San Mames and which played its future in Europe. However, when everything was ready for the journey, a call from the UEFA stopped him everything. Fenerbahçe, lost in the match fixing scandal, was excluded by the Turkish Federation late in the draw for the Champions League on Thursday, 'leaving' the Ottoman runner plaza, which is none other than rival lions. Thus, the shock scheduled for today is canceled and therefore, Athletic celebrates its qualification for the Champions League without having to play the return leg.

But while Marcelo Bielsa and his players celebrate their passes on the fast track, our two representatives will have to fight on the lawn to get the coveted ticket. The one throw has it's Atletico Madrid, but moves to Guimarães, accompanying a result (2-0), at least reliable. There will be Diego Forlan, who last his move to Inter, and reinforcing the brand new Falcao, who was not enrolled. Arda Turan, injury and Alvaro Dominguez, through suspension, will not be in the 'To be or not be' mattress, without the defender could present an alignment similar to the Vicente Calderon. In goal Manzano showing his cards and has been left off the list is Sergio Asenjo, while Joel Robles and Thibaut Courtois will be played as the goalkeeper. Vitoria, which gives the impression that this tie becomes 'the hypocrite' does not rule out a comeback, and moved the network to appeal to their fans.

That is not so simple is Sevilla. The Andalusians fell in Hanover for the minimum (2-1) although both Kanoute was key to the aspirations of Seville. Without it, the task would be even more complicated, but in a setting like the Sanchez Pizjuan, which surely is filled to become the boiler is usually in the evenings magical. The closest I remember, the unexpected drop in just one summer ago at the Braga Portuguese, but in the not too distant future, achieving double when it was called Europa League UEFA. Therefore, the Marcelino Garcia have no choice but to turn around the tie. With a goal suffices to meet the record, although the rival, as seen in the round, fails to Sevilla for sightseeing. Schlaudraff, tormentor with two goals, is presented as the main threat to a squad, the nerviosense that the hand of the fans and their cracks, must demonstrate that 'what' of the trip was a mere slip.

Photo | NdF