Features
VIE 06.05.2016
In the latest example of LaLiga's European clout, three of its teams are through to the Champions League and Europa League finals. Spanish sides have very much taken centre stage in Europe this term. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will lock horns in Milan in the final of the continent's premier club competition, in a repeat of their showdown from two seasons ago, while holders Sevilla FC are back in the Europa League final.
Three of the four finalists in European club competitions will be teams fom #LaLiga! #UCL #UEL pic.twitter.com/5Ag6GtIpfk
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 5, 2016
Real Madrid return to the showpiece on the strength of a virtually impeccable Champions League campaign in which they have lost just one of their 12 matches in the tournament. Atletico, for their part, have another opportunity to lift the trophy for the first time after prevailing in tough ties against FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
There will be no dream all-LaLiga decider in the Europa League, however, after Villarreal CF succumbed to Liverpool in the semi-finals. Sevilla will be the sole Spanish representative in Basel, where they will be looking to capture the title for the third year running. The Andalusians may have crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage, but they have proven their prowess since by reaching their fifth Europa League final in the last 10 years. Villarreal's exit, meanwhile, followed a highly impressive campaign in which Marcelino's men got the better of the likes of Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen.
LaLiga's continental credentials are not only evidenced by having three teams in the finals and four in the semis. All the rest of Spain's participants made an impact in their respective European campaigns: in fact, it took another LaLiga team to knock out Barcelona, Athletic Club and Valencia CF. Los Azulgranas were beaten by Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals, while Athletic were defeated by Sevilla at the same stage of the Europa League. The Basques had earlier eliminated Valencia, in the round of 16.
LaLiga's four semi-finalists' continental campaigns, in numbers
Real Madrid
12 matches: 9 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat
Scored 27 / conceded 5
Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (16 goals)
Atletico Madrid
12 matches: 6 wins, 3 draws ,3 defeats
Scored 16 / conceded 7
Top scorer: Antoine Griezmann (7 goals)
Sevilla
Champions League: 6 matches: 2 wins, 4 defeats
Scored 8 / conceded 12
Europa League: 8 matches: 4 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats
Scored 14 / conceded 7
Top scorer: Kevin Gameiro (7 goals)
Villarreal
14 matches: 9 wins, 3 draws, 2 defeats
Scored 23 / conceded 13
Top scorer: Cedric Bakambu (9 goals)
© LALIGA - 2016