Chronicle EditorLONDON. — Atletico Madrid will expect another exhibition of ultra-disciplined counter-punching from Chelsea when the teams reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League soccer semi-final at Stamford Bridge tonight.The match kicks-off at 8:45pm.
Chelsea emerged from last week’s first leg with a 0-0 draw after a cautious display in which they enjoyed only 38 percent of possession and mustered five attempts at goal to Atletico’s 26.
Jose Mourinho’s side were at it again on Sunday, relaunching their English Premier League title bid with a 2-0 success at leaders Liverpool after again surrendering possession and playing on the counter-attack.
Chelsea’s approach was criticised by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who dismissively described their tactics as “not difficult to coach”, but it was effective, and Atletico will be braced for more of the same.
Chelsea’s form has oscillated wildly in recent weeks, with performances such as the victory at Liverpool, a 6-0 demolition of Arsenal and the 2-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg interspersed with shock losses to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.
While Chelsea’s title destiny is not in their own hands, as they need both Liverpool and Manchester City to drop points, full-back Cesar Azpilicueta believes that Sunday’s win at Anfield was ideal preparation for tonight’s assignment.
“This victory has given us a lot of confidence to go into the match with Atletico,” the Spaniard told British newspaper the London Evening Standard.”We had a lot of difficulties (before the game at Liverpool). We had players missing and have the match of our lives to come on Wednesday.
“But we played well and showed how strong our squad is. It’s an achievement from everyone. After the Atletico game, we’ll see about the title. We have two more games in the league against Norwich and Cardiff, but all our attention is on Wednesday.”
Mourinho has declared that Chelsea do not have a chance of winning the league, but he stands on the brink of history in Europe.
Success in the May 24 final in Lisbon would make the 51-year-old Portuguese the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, and few coaches thrive on the tactical duels in Europe’s elite competition like he does. He will also be motivated by the desire to avenge his loss to Diego Simeone’s Atletico in last season’s Copa del Rey final, which brought his third and final season at Real Madrid to a trophyless conclusion.
Atletico are unbeaten in this season’s Champions League, however, and having preserved their four-point lead in La Liga by winning 1-0 at Valencia on Sunday, they, too, have a trophy double in their sights.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech, John Terry, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o boosted Chelsea yesterday by returning to training ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid tonight.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho ruled goalkeeper Cech out for the rest of the season after he dislocated his shoulder in the early stages of last week’s away leg, which finished 0-0.
Mark Schwarzer came on for Cech in Madrid and also deputised for him in Sunday’s 2-0 win at Liverpool, but the Czech international could be in line for a return after taking part in an open training session yesterday.
Cech warmed up with the rest of the squad at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, before moving out of view of the media invited to observe the first 15 minutes of the session.
Captain and centre-back Terry (ankle) was also present, despite Mourinho having suggested he would not be fit before the final on May 24 after hurting himself in the first leg.
In further good news for Chelsea, winger Hazard (calf) and striker Eto’o (knee) also reported for training after recent spells on the sidelines.
But midfielders Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi are suspended for tonight’s match.
Mourinho said that Terry has “a chance” of playing after sustaining a foot injury at the Vicente Calderon, while Chelsea are hopeful that newly crowned Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year Hazard will be fit after a calf problem.
Simeone has played down the potential impact of Chelsea’s selection issues and is also unconvinced that his side’s run of nine straight league wins will prove a factor at Stamford Bridge.
“The league has nothing to do with the Champions League,” said the Argentine, who is bidding to become the first coach to lead Atletico to a European Cup final since 1974.
“Chelsea have a great team, one that could be rotated and still win 2-0 at Liverpool. We know we are facing a very strong team and one that will give us a lot of problems.”
Atletico will be without captain Gabi due to suspension, with former Chelsea midfielder Tiago Mendes expected to take his place, but Simeone otherwise has a full squad to choose from.— AFP.
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