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19 March 2024

Champions League semifinal 1st leg: Mourinho's cautious Chelsea frustrate Atletico

Diego Costa of Club Atletico de Madrid kicks the ball under pressure from David Luiz of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 22, 2014 in Madrid, Spain. (GETTY)

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Jose Mourinho returned to Spain to frustrate surprise semi-finalists Atletico Madrid as his ultra-cautious Chelsea secured a 0-0 draw in a dreary Champions League first leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.

Atletico, through to the last four of Europe's elite club competition for the first time in 40 years, dominated the defence-minded 2012 winners and pushed hard for a goal but failed to carve out an advantage ahead of next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Back in the Spanish capital for the first time since quitting Atletico's city rivals Real at the end of last season, coach Mourinho set out to thwart the home team rather than attack them and the result means his side will be slight favourites to advance to next month's final in Lisbon.

The Londoners lost goalkeeper Petr Cech when he fell heavily and hurt his right elbow in the 15th minute but neither his replacement Mark Schwarzer nor Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois, on loan from Chelsea, were genuinely tested in a drab affair.

Home captain Gabi, who was booked and will be suspended for the return leg along with Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel, said he and his team mates were unhappy with the result.

"Atletico wanted to win the match at any cost but they defended very well," midfielder Gabi told TVE. "We knew they wouldn't want to concede a goal and I think Atletico played a much more attacking game.

"It leaves a bad taste in the mouth but the tie is still very open and we will go to Chelsea and try to win."

There was another cracking atmosphere before kickoff at the 55,000-capacity stadium next to the Manzanares river where the fans have been flocking to enjoy what is easily the Madrid club's best season in almost 20 years.

Diego Simeone, coach of La Liga leaders Atletico, deployed an attacking formation with Diego Costa leading the line supported by Raul Garcia, with Diego and Koke providing the creative impetus just behind.

Mourinho, by contrast, had containment in mind, with former Atletico captain Fernando Torres alone up front and defender David Luiz in a holding role in a five-man midfield.

EARLY CHANGE

The Portuguese had instructed his players to sit back and try to catch Atletico on the break and they were happy to let the home side have the ball in a first half short on entertainment.

Chelsea were forced to make an early change when Cech was knocked to the ground by a tumbling Raul Garcia at a corner and he was helped off clutching his right arm, an injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Australian Schwarzer, 41, making only his second Champions League appearance, became the oldest player to feature in the knockout phase.

With almost the entire Chelsea team behind the ball, the hosts managed only one shot on target before the break, a weak Diego effort, and the visitors none.

Midfielder Mario Suarez flashed a long-range drive narrowly wide in the 34th minute and Costa had a volley well blocked by Cesar Azpilicueta but otherwise there was little goalmouth action.

The second half was a similarly cagey affair and there was more bad news for Chelsea in the 73rd minute when captain John Terry limped off after turning his ankle at a corner.

Gabi forced a decent save from Schwarzer in the 76th minute and Costa had a chance with a header late on as Atletico pressed for a goal.

Chelsea, though, held out reasonably comfortably and their players looked much the happier at the final whistle.

"It's a positive result," said their Spain full back Azpilicueta. "We knew it would be a difficult atmosphere.

"We fought hard and tried to keep the ball but the important thing is that we have the second leg at home. The players we will be missing are very important but we will fight to win."

Real Madrid entertain defending champions Bayern Munich in the other semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

FULL TIME

Atletico Madrid 0 Chelsea 0

Atletico Madrid and Chelsea played to a draw in their Champions League semi-finals match played at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Madrid on Tuesday.

Atletico Madrid looked the better team to score in the first half with Suárez and Diego missing the crossbar narrowly.

Chelsea played defensively with  David Luiz and Willian blocking close threats coming off Diego Costa and Suárez.

The corner kick awarded to Atletico was brilliantly pushed over by Cech under the bar but not before injuring himslef and had to eject out for medical aid.

Both teams fought hard to break the deadlock but Atletico looked the better team with the ball with more scoring opportunities while Chelsea never really had a close look at the post.

The second half was fast paced with Chelsea looking a better team with Torres and David Luiz labouring in the midfield.  Terry was injured and was replaced by Schürrle.

The Atletico team fought hard in front of a strong home crwod but even with quick substitutions with David Villa and Sosa being added to the strike, goals seemed to elude them.

Chelsea looked to squeeze the odd ball in on the counter with Ramires and David Luiz making a effort but the full time whistle signalled the end of the electrifying match. 
 
90" +6 Both teams fight hard to open account but opportunities fail to ocme by as the clock races towards the full time mark.

90 +3 Yellow for Demba Ba. The ref is upset for the delay in play as  Ba refuses to surender the ball for a throw in.

90+2  Quick substitutions as Demba Bais brought in to nail the game but the Atletico defence show no sign of cracking.

90" +2Chelsea are giving the home team a fight. Lampard and Schürrle setup Torres but he is well marked by Gabi.

90" Diego Costa is fed with a wonderfull pass by Suárez but he shoots the ball in the direction of Schwarzer who collects it well.

88" YELLOW! Miranda is booked for a ugly tackle on Torres at the edge of the box. The ref is kept busy in teh second half as the game gets rough as the clock races to full time.

87" Atletico look dangerous with Diego and Villa loking to slam the lose ball in the box.

85" Atletico make a change David villa replaces Raul.The man who coukd make a difference for Atletico now.

82" Filipe Luis attacks from the right flank lofting teh ball over the heads of Cahill and Willian to Raul who fails to make contact.

80" Willian setsup Schürrle in the box but Filipe Luis intercepts  and flicks it to Koke.

78" Atletico and Chelsea have now made substitutions with Terry and Suarez leaving the big game for Schürrle and Sosa.

75" The ref rushes to diffuse the situationn as players of both team engage in a heated argument with the ref Jonas Eriksson flashing the yellow for Mikel and Gabi.

74" YELLOW! Tempers are high on both sides as Mikel makes a hasty dash to deflect the ball but makes contact with Gabi which results in a confrontation.

72" Schürrle comes in place of the injured Terry as Chelsea look desperate to open account at this crucial stage of the game.

68" Atletico fail to convert on a corner as Schwarzer collects well with Mikel blocking the goal. But Terry looks in agony now and is limping.

66" Chelsea are on top of their game in this second half forcing Atletico to defend with Ramires and Lampard tormenting the rival end.

64" YELLOW!  for Lampard as he attempts to grab the ball off Turan with a ugly challenge. But the ref is quick to notice it and does not blink to flash out  the yellow card.

59" Diego is desperate to nail this ball as Koke setsup a wonderfull pass in the box but he shoots wide off the mark

57" Atletico on the counter attack with Koke on the ball but loses it to Terry who pushes it onto Torres.

55" Terry takes the corner kick but the ball fails to find the head of Ramires or Lampard in the box.

52" Chelsea press on with Cole moving the ball around to  Mikel who carries it forward but Ramirez fails to latch on with Diego winning the ball.

50" David Luiz is now back on the field with Filipe Luis on the ball looking for Raúl.

48" David Luiz attempting to controll a lofted ball collides with Diego and is now being taken out for medical treatment.

45" Chelsea begin the second half attacking strongly with Cahill on the ball well supported by Torres and Mikel.

HALF TIME

Atletico Madrid 0 Chelsea 0

45 +3 " An ugle tackle on Torres raised Chelsea's hopes as the ref awards a free kick which Ramires fails to convert on the edge of the box.

45" Ramires strugles to shake off Suárez and flips the ball over to Lampard who traps it and moves it up to Torres.

42" Both teams struggle hard to open their account with Suarez and Diego almost coming close to getting their names on the score sheet.

41" Diego Costa on the ball with Raul sprinting to keep pace but the alert Willian moves in to deflect the threat.

39" Willian is brought down by Juanfran while attempting to tame the ball on the lines the ref is quick to signal for a free kick.

36" Diego and Suarez are coordinating well to attack the rivak but Cole and David Luiz read well their moves.

4" Suárez takes a rasping shot off a Diego assist from the midfield with the ball dangerously dipping close into the net but misses the mark by an inch.

31" Atletico are not giving up and continue to attack with Koke and Diego Costa threatening the defence time and again.

29" Atletico are quick on the counter attack with Filipe Luis sprinting along the right flank to loft the ball to Raúl García who heads the ball over the bar.

28" David Luiz scripts move in the midfield with Terry and Lampard struggling to break their oppents strong defence.

25" David Luiz makes a excellent save defelcting the ball from the  Diego onto the mdfield in the box.

24" Filipe Luis on the ball slams it over the heads of Cahill and Torres to Raul who makes a dash to control it on the lines.

23" Raul Garcia looks to win over the ball from Mikel but ends up with a dangerous tackle and a strong appeal for a card.

21" David Luiz latches onto Torres pass but Godín wins the ball and pushes it up to Diego Costa.

16" It looks like Raul tripped him while attempting a header off the corner. He is now out of the ground and the medics are treating his injured shoulder.

14" A corner for Atletico taken by Gabi is well saved by Cech who punches the ball over the bar but lands on his shoulder.

12" Chelsea move the ball around with Ramirez, Terry and Torres but Koke intercepts and taps it for Raul.

10" Chelsea push on with Lampard and Ramires but manange to move the ball into the box with Torres looking to latch on.

7" Koke on the ball lofts it to Suárez who taps the ball to Diego but David Luiz blocks him well.

5" Raúl García and Diego Costa are creating openings but the stubborn Chelsea defence refuse to budge.

4" Raul Garcia goes down after a dangerous tackle by Azpilicueta but the ref signals to playon.

2" Raul is offside of assist from Diego on the edge of the box.Lampard wins the ball over and shoots over the midfield.

1" Athletico kickoff playing from left to right of the field. Diego on the ball and takes a first time shot but shoots wide off the mark.

Finally the moment we are all waiting for the players are now heading for the midfield.

Players are now lined up in the tunnel amidst the  lound cheering of the fans in the jam packed stadium tonight.

Both teams need to tread cautiously in this testing game at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Chelsea's David Luiz, Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and willian Borges are all a booking away from a ban. 

Atletico's  Emiliano Insua, Koke, Juanfran and Gabi are all a booking away from a suspension.

Atletico have taken on English sides 21 times . At home their record is W5 D4 L0 that's encouraging news for their fans ahead of the electrifying start.

Courtois starts for Atletico against parent club. Torres lines up for Chelsea against former employers. A promising clash is on hand tonight.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is appearing in the UCL semi-finals for the 5th season in a row that's very impressive.

Both teams are now arriving at the stadium and the mood around is simply spectacular.

The flags are flying outside the stadium as kick-off approaches.

Atletico fans are already beginning to dream outside the Estadio Vicente.

The Chelsea players have left the team hotel and are on their way to the stadium.

STARTING XI

Atletico Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Filipe Luis, Suárez, Miranda, Godín, Koke, Gabi, Diego Costa, Raúl García, Diego.

Subs: Aranzubia, Tiago, Villa, Turan, Rodríguez, Alderweireld, Sosa.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cole, David Luiz, Cahill, Terry, Mikel, Lampard, Torres, Ramires, Willian.

Subs: Oscar, Schürrle, Van Ginkel, Ba, Schwarzer, Aké, Kalas.

TEAM NEWS

Diego Costa made a goalscoring return to action at the weekend and will again start up front.Diego could partner David Villa in attack.

Samuel Eto'o was forced off with a knee injury and is unlikely to recover in time to play here.

Branislav Ivanovic is suspended so Azpilicueta could switch to right-back with Ashley Cole coming in on the left.

Arda Turan is expected to return from injury and start in midfield.

Hazard could be risked playing by Jose Mourinho.

Fernando Torres is in line to face his former club.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Atletico Madrid:4-4-2

Chelsea:4-2-3-1

STAT ATTACK

Atletico have won 8 of their last 10 matches in the Champions League.

Atletico have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Chelsea in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Chelsea's last 6 games in the Champions League.
 
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Atletico's last 6 games in the Champions League

PREVIEW

Chelsea forward Samuel Eto'o is out of Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg at Atletico Madrid because of injury.

The Cameroon international has a "minor knee irritation", while Belgium winger Eden Hazard travelled with the rest of the squad to Spain despite missing the last two games with a calf problem, the club said on their website (www.chelseafc.com) on Monday.

Eto'o scored seven goals in 12 appearances against Atletico for Real Madrid, Real Mallorca and Barcelona between 1999 and 2009 and Chelsea may miss his experience at the Calderon.

The 33-year-old's absence means former Atletico captain Fernando Torres, Demba Ba or Andre Schuerrle are likely to get the nod from manager Jose Mourinho who also spent time in Spain as coach of Atletico's city rivals Real.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone insisted Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will be given a hero's welcome on his first return to the Vicente Calderon as a visiting player.

Torres, who left Atletico to join Liverpool in 2007 after making over 200 appearances for the club, will be in the Chelsea squad for the Champions League semi-final first leg in the Spanish capital on Tuesday.

And Simeone is sure he will be received warmly before and after the game, even if tribal tendencies take over during the 90 minutes.

"Torres is someone who loves the club and has great memories of the club," Simeone said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

"I think he will play tomorrow and even if the crowd are not with him for 90 minutes, before and after he will receive the ovation he deserves because he is loved by the club.

"Deep down Fernando is always one of us."

Torres' chances of starting the game have been enhanced by the absence of Samuel Eto'o in the 20-man Chelsea squad that set off for the Spanish capital on Monday morning.

The tie has been billed as a clash between two sides with similar styles as both Atletico and Chelsea's success this season has been built upon a solid defensive base.

And Simeone thinks small margins will decide which side progresses to the final in Lisbon on May 24.

"Obviously we are not the same but we have similar characteristics. They have conceded the fewest goals in England, we have conceded the fewest goals in the Spanish league, we both have a good defence, play very direct and are very good at set-pieces.

"These are some of the similarities which make it possible for them to fight for the English league and us for the Spanish league.

"It is a semi-final so it will be very tight and decided on small details and individual qualities within the overall work of the team. The one that takes their chances will win the first leg and the tie overall."

The glaring difference between both clubs comes in the size of their respective budgets as Chelsea's income dwarves Atletico's.

However, Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia claimed they will not be overawed by Mourinho's men.

"We don't fear anyone, we are talking about football. We are a team that fights, has a lot of ambition and wants to win. We fear nothing, but we respect all our opponents."

Mourinho's record in nine games against Atletico over three seasons with Real was eight wins and one defeat, the only reverse coming in last season's King's Cup final.

"Of course no team arrives in a Champions League semi-final without being a very good team," Mourinho told a news conference at the Calderon stadium.

"And they (Atletico) are no exception so to be here they have to be a very good team," added the Portuguese.

Mourinho said he was sure Torres, if he featured against his boyhood club, would give everything for Chelsea.

"Playing in the Champions League is a big motivation for every player," he said.

"I am not saying that Fernando Torres will start, I am saying that he never hides. We feel that every day.

"He is a real Atletico supporter, I would say a big one. We talk about Spanish football every day.

"But he is a professional. I have no doubts that the minutes he will be on the pitch tomorrow he will do everything for Chelsea given the professional that he is."

The return leg is in London next week and the winners of the tie will play holders Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the final in Lisbon on May 24.

Atletico playmaker Arda fit to face Chelsea

Atletico Madrid playmaker Arda Turan has been declared fit to face Chelsea in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg, the La Liga leaders said on Sunday.

The Turkey international has not featured since picking up a groin injury in the quarter-final, first leg against Barcelona on April 1.

A key figure in Atletico's success this season, Arda trained with his team mates at the Calderon stadium on Sunday and coach Diego Simeone had the entire squad at his disposal, Atletico said on their website (www.clubatleticodemadrid.com).