Spain Sports News
Poor results for Spanish sides in the Europa League
By h.b. - Mar 12, 2010 - 6:48 AM
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David Jiménez Silva (right)for Valencia controls the Werder Bremen striker, Aaron Hunt - EFE
Valencia and Atlético de Madrid both drew
Disappointing results for the Spanish sides in the Europa League last night.
Valencia could do no more than draw against Werder Bremen in the Mestalla, but had to suffer what most consider to be an unjust penalty. The British referee, Martin Atkinson, coming in for criticism in the Spanish press today, for calling a penalty for an inexistent push on Pizarro. Frings scored for Werder.
César had a good second half and several chances. The referee sent off Banega for hand ball, and Villa injured his left shoulder towards the end of the game. The equaliser came from Mata.
Atlético Madrid’s poor form in Europe continued in a game which ended goalless against Sporting de Lisbon. Best player was José Antonio Reyes, but he missed the target, and despite Atlético showing most of the play, they could not finish, despite having an extra player for an hour of the game after Tonel was sent off.