Simeone: Falcao a prize asset for Atletico

Falcao scored twice in the first half at the National Stadium in Bucharest, a year on from his exploits in last season's final when his goal was enough to secure Porto the Europa League title.

Atletico, desperate to build a side that can regularly compete in the Champions League alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, dug deep into their pockets to splash out 40 million euros and bring him from Portugal to the Spanish capital last summer. The 26-year-old has repaid their faith with 12 goals in the Europa League and 23 in La Liga.

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