Hat-trick of competition wins for Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid put the disappointment of their early Champions League exit behind them by winning the Europa League for the third time in 2017-18.

Diego Simeone’s men benefited from their transfer ban being lifted at the turn of the year, and with Diego Costa and Vitolo eligible to play, they defeated Arsenal in the semi-final before recording a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Marseille in the final. Arsenal made their debut in the competition for the first time in their history after failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Arsene Wenger, who would leave the club in the summer.

CHANGES

Arsenal, Atalanta, Fastav Zlín, 1899 Hoffenheim, İstanbul Başakşehir, Koln, Lugano, Milan, Ostersund, Real Sociedad, Red Star Belgrade, Vardar and Vitesse made their Europa League group stage debuts, though Milan and Red Star had participated in the UEFA Cup group stage previously.

AC Milan spent in excess of €185 million in the close season; as well as the coup of signing Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus – Andre Silva, Andrea Conti, Lucas Biglia, and Matteo Musacchio were brought in, while Franck Kessie and Nikola Kalinic were signed on loan with obligations to buy. Their exuberant spending would eventually see them punished by Financial Fair Play.

SUMMARY

Four teams successfully progressed through the Europa League group stage without losing a match – Zenit, RB Salzburg, AEK Athens, and Atalanta. Atalanta were the most impressive team in the group stage, scoring 14 goals in a group that contained Premier League side Everton, who were demolished 5-1 by the Italian outfit.

Within the group stage, Arsenal and Real Sociedad recorded the biggest victories, defeating BATE and Vardar 6-0 respectively. It was a desperately poor performance from the German Bundesliga sides; Hoffenheim, Koln, and Hertha BSC were all eliminated at the group stage.

The knockouts saw elite teams drop down to the competition after being knocked out of the Champions League,…

Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/season-reviews/hat-trick-of-competition-wins-for-atletico-madrid-europa-league-2017-18/33

Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)

Publish date : 2024-07-23 16:00:00

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