Paul Smith


The inaugural Europa League is down to its final four participants, and English dominance of the Champions League has transferred itself to the Europa League this season with an all English final a distinct possibility. Standing in the way of an Anglo invasion of north west Germany are Atletico Madrid and Hamburg. Despite speculation that both first leg fixtures would need to be postponed due to the travel disruption caused by volcanic ash, UEFA have declared that the matches will go ahead as scheduled.

Hamburg vs Fulham

Fulham, the Europa League’s surprise package face German opposition again after they disposed of Wolfsburg in the last round. Roy Hodgson has worked wonders to turn the Londoners from a team on the verge of relegation from the Premier League to European semi-finalists in less than three years. The closest Fulham have come to a major honour was in 1975 when they lost the FA Cup final to West Ham United, so arguably their match with Hamburg is the the biggest in the club’s history. The Cottagers primary threat comes in the form of England hopeful Bobby Zamora, and the former Brighton and Hove Albion striker has been in the form of his career this season, scoring pivotal goals throughout Fulham’s Europa League run.

Hamburg’s HSH Nordbank Arena is the host venue for the first ever Europa League final and the Bundesliga side would dearly love to participate in a final on home turf. The Germans have tremendous European pedigree going back to the days of Kevin Keegan when they won the European Cup and European Cup Winners Cup. A Europa League triumph would be a welcome addition to the Hamburg trophy cabinet, but after playing Belgian opposition in each of the last two rounds Fulham should prove to be more testing opponents. HSV will have no doubt about the task in front of them as they take on a side who have already knocked out Juventus and last year’s UEFA Cup Winners Shakhtar Donestsk.

Roy Hodgson’s tactical nous and experience of big matches will be Fulham’s most valuable asset over the two legs. The ex-Inter Milan coach will need to ensure his players are prepared both mentally and physically as they face a lengthy journey by land and sea to reach Germany for the opening 90 minutes. Hamburg manager Bruno Labbadia knows all about goal scoring after an illustrious career as a striker, and the former German international can call upon the fire power of one of Europe’s top marksmen in Ruud van Nistelrooy, who, despite his advancing years still has the ability to be a match winner at the highest level. The Londoners will be delighted they have home advantage in the potentially decisive second leg, something that might make the difference in what should be a close encounter.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool

If The Reds are to salvage something from a disappointing season then triumph in the Europa League is a must. With the recent news that Liverpool’s American owners are looking to sell the Premier League club, a piece of European silverware would go some way to appeasing growing discontent on Merseyside. This is a fixture which should have seen Fernando Torres reunited with his former employer, but his season is over after undergoing knee surgery. In light of Torres’ absence Rafael Benitez will need to utilise all of his experience and knowledge of the Spanish game to ensure his side have the best opportunity of progressing.

Atletico Madrid appeared to be heading towards a relegation battle prior to the sacking of Abel Resino and subsequent appointment of Quique Sánchez Flores in October 2009. In Flores Los Indios have one of Spain’s most talented young coaches and he’s undoubtedly improved matters on the pitch during his six months in charge. The Madrid outfit have climbed the league table and currently lie 10th, far away from any relegation danger. The former Benfica coach has instilled a fighting spirit within the squad as demonstrated with the rearguard effort his side produced in the last round against Valencia. Flores is only on a short-term contract which expires in the summer and a trophy should persuade his employers to retain his services for a longer period.

This should be an interesting tactical battle between two managers with a similar pedigree. Both did their ground work with the Real Madrid youth teams before moving into senior management and both have managed Valencia with varying degrees of success. Benitez will be concerned with Liverpool’s recent away form in Europe with defeats to Lille and Benfica in previous rounds leaving his side with plenty of work to do in the home leg. The Spanish tactician has understandably raised concerns about the first leg going ahead with his team facing a tortuous journey across land and sea from north west England to Madrid, and questions do need to be asked as to whether this gives Atletico an unfair advantage. In the Spanish side’s defence they don’t make the decisions and they will argue that playing at home in the first leg is a disadvantage anyway. The Madrid side will seek to take advantage of any travel weariness and would ideally like to travel to England with at least a two goal cushion knowing that Liverpool are an entirely different proposition when playing in front of a raucous Kop end.

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