THE EUROPA LEAGUE may be the perennial bridesmaid of European football but it has provided scintillating matches, great individual displays and a few upsets this season.
One of the highlights of the tournament was provided on Thursday night by Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.
The Colmbian international, nicknamed El Tigre (The Tiger), showed his claws in the semi-final clash with Valencia when he unleashed a volley that went in off the bar with 12 minutes left on the clock.
It was his second strike of the game and goal number 32 this season. Atletico won the first-leg 4-2 and will travel to Estadio de Mestalla in Valencia as favourites to advance to the final in Romania.
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The fact that Falcao was named after the former Roma and Brazil midfielder, and his leadership of church group ‘Locos por Jesus’ (Crazy for Jesus), only adds to the burgeoning legend.