By Paul Giblin
MADRID, May 15 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid are the favorites to defeat Olympique Marseille on Wednesday to win their third Europa League title in 10 years.
The side coached by Diego Simeone won the competition in 2009 and 2012 and travel to Lyon after knocking Arsenal out of the semifinals a fortnight ago.
Simeone has built his side on the ethos of hard work, organization and a solid defense coupled with pace on the counter-attack.
They are likely to play a waiting game against a rival with attacking flair.
There were a few surprises in the Atletico squad at the weekend when Simeone fielded a powerful side away to Getafe on Saturday afternoon in a game Atletico had asked to be played 24 hours earlier in order to give them more time to prepare for Wednesday's duel.
That team included key players such as French international striker Antoine Griezmann and his strike partner, Diego Costa, along with Saul Niguez, Diego Godin, Koke and Stefan Savic and all virtually certain to start in Lyon.
The only players likely to figure who didn't play at the weekend are Lucas Hernandez, who will play at left back and right back Sime Vrsaljko.
Vrsaljko is available again after missing the return leg of the semifinal through suspension after being shown a red card after just nine minutes of the first leg.
The fact Atletico were able to claim a 1-1 draw in that game away to Arsenal is the perfect example of their resilience under Simeone, with Griezmann popping up to score a goal from virtually nothing in the closing minutes of the match.
The Frenchman will no doubt be the center of attention on Wednesday: not only is he playing in his homeland, but there is increasing speculation over his future with FC Barcelona thought to be willing to pay Atletico more than his 100 million euro buyout clause over the summer.
Although Griezmann's future is still unsure, it will certainly be Fernando Torres' last final for Atletico with the striker likely to start the game on the bench.
Atletico's last two European finals both ended in painful defeat to neighbors Real Madrid in the Champions League, but this time it will be a surprise of they return home empty handed.
