Valencia offer fans free entry for second leg
Reuters - Friday 20 April 2012, 14:22
Valencia will give
season-ticket holders free entry to ensure they have a full
stadium when they seek to overturn a 4-2 deficit in their Europa
League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid next week.
"It is an absolute necessity that there is an extraordinary
atmosphere at the Mestalla that helps push the side towards the
achievable aim of a place in the final in Bucharest," the 2004
UEFA Cup winners said in a statement on Friday.
Radamel Falcao scored twice as Atletico stormed into a 4-1
lead on Thursday but an added-time goal from Ricardo Costa has
left Valencia with hopes they can go through to face either
Portugal's Sporting or Athletic Bilbao in the May 9 final.
Valencia fans, who will be reimbursed if they have already
purchased a ticket, have whistled their team and under-fire
coach Unai Emery after some inconsistent results in recent
weeks.
The Europa League has been much-maligned by fans as a
poor cousin to the more lucrative and prestigious Champions
League.