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David Villa: It's A Shame Valencia Meet Atletico Madrid In Europa Quarter-Finals
El Guaje would like to see both Spanish teams progress...
20-Mar-2010 11:13:33 AM
By Paul Madden
Valencia striker David Villa has stated that it is a shame los Che have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the quarter finals of the Europa League.
Villa had preferred to avoid the only other remaining Spanish side in the tournament in the hope of meeting in the final in Hamburg. The 28-year-old striker believes it will be an evenly matched contest over the two legs and he doesn't feel that the second leg being at the Vicente Calderon gives los Colchoneros and advantage.
"Unfortunately for us, as I imagine with Atletico Madrid, the two Spanish teams have to face each other now and that means only one Spanish team will be in the semi-finals," he told Super Deporte.
"it's always said that theoretically it is better to play the second game at home, but it is ninety minutes in each venue and nobody is going to have an edge as we just demonstrated."
Villa scored a hat-trick in the 4-4 draw away to Werder Bremen which saw Valencia progress to the last eight on goal difference.
The first leg takes place at the Mestalla on April 1 with the second leg in Madrid a week later and despite their inferior league position Atleti have the upper hand so far in the Primera Liga with a 2-2 draw in Valencia and a 4-1 win last month at home.
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Villa had preferred to avoid the only other remaining Spanish side in the tournament in the hope of meeting in the final in Hamburg. The 28-year-old striker believes it will be an evenly matched contest over the two legs and he doesn't feel that the second leg being at the Vicente Calderon gives los Colchoneros and advantage.
"Unfortunately for us, as I imagine with Atletico Madrid, the two Spanish teams have to face each other now and that means only one Spanish team will be in the semi-finals," he told Super Deporte.
"it's always said that theoretically it is better to play the second game at home, but it is ninety minutes in each venue and nobody is going to have an edge as we just demonstrated."
Villa scored a hat-trick in the 4-4 draw away to Werder Bremen which saw Valencia progress to the last eight on goal difference.
The first leg takes place at the Mestalla on April 1 with the second leg in Madrid a week later and despite their inferior league position Atleti have the upper hand so far in the Primera Liga with a 2-2 draw in Valencia and a 4-1 win last month at home.
Become a fan of Goal.com India's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything the related to the beautiful game!
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