Two Spanish sides will face each other tonight in Bucharest but only one of them will return home to Spain with the Europa League trophy.
The news is good for Atletico Madrid before the game as defender Luis Perea has shaken off a thigh problem and is fit for the match. Captain Antonio Lopez is also likely to be available, but Portuguese full-back Silvio will not return on the pitch until next season. Tiago is suspended, while Fran Merida is cup-tied.
Athletic coach Marcelo Bielsa has rested quite a few of his important players during the domestic league match last weekend but defender Fernando Amorebieta could still miss the final as he has a minor calf problem and will be given a late fitness test.
Here are the probable line ups:
ATLETICO MADRID
Courtois - Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe - Suarez, Gabi - Adrian, Diego, Turan - Falcao
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Iraizoz - Iraola, Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe - De Marcos, Iturraspe, Herrera - Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain
Atletico Madrid have reached the final with a splendid 11-game Europa League winning streak, since losing 2-0 at Udinese in the group stage. The two clubs have never met in an European competition but the domestic league record is favourable to Atletico Madrid, who grabbed 64 wins compared to Athletic's 59.
Atletico Madrid also have a lot more experience in Europe, as they are appearing in their eighth major European final. Their first final resulted in 1961-62 Cup Winners' Cup success against Fiorentina, while they also won the first edition of the Europa League against Fulham in 2009-10.
On the other hand Athletic have never won a European trophy. Their only previous European final brought defeat on away goals by Juventus over two legs in the 1977 UEFA Cup.
Here are the odds for the final from Victor Chandler:
Atletico Madrid to win – 7/5
Draw after 90 minutes – 12/5
Athletic Bilbao to win – 21/10
The match starts at 19.45 BST on Wednesday and it will be played on the National Arena stadium in Bucharest.
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