What: Champions League Semi-final – Second Leg
Who: Chelsea (0) vs Atletico Madrid (0) – (First leg scores in brackets)
When: Wednesday 30th April, 2014, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Moving The Bus?
A trip to Lisbon to contest the 2013/14 Champions League final will be at stake on Wednesday night when Chelsea and Atletico Madrid do battle at Stamford Bridge. The first leg saw the Londoners happy to sit back and soak up pressure en route to a 0-0 draw. While Atletico Madrid huffed and puffed in search of a crucial first leg lead, Jose Mourinho’s side held on comfortably and accomplished what they set out to do.
The Blues repeated the trick this weekend as they picked up a fine 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. It was a shock result for some, but while many blamed Mourinho and company for negative tactics and ‘parking two buses’, other praised the manager’s tactical masterclass. The second leg of this tie however promises to be a bit different in the aesthetics department. While neutrals probably won’t be served up all-out attack from two sides that love to hit on the counter-attack, the suggestion is that both will be more positive going forward, especially Chelsea.
Could Mourinho set out his side once again in a more withdrawn fashion? The Portuguese manager must have liked what he saw in the team’s two previous matches which yielded a pair of superb defensive displays. The danger of course is that if Atletico Madrid can manage a goal then that would make things very difficult for Chelsea.
Ready To Shock Europe
Chelsea go into the match as slight favorites having managed to grind out that 0-0 first leg result. Diego Simeone’s side will not care much about that, in fact this is a team that thrives on being the underdogs. This second leg tie could be right up Los Rojiblancos’ alley as well. Though they did well at times in putting numbers into attack in the first match, it was clear that Atletico Madrid’s strength lies elsewhere.
Simeone’s team can create, but they are superb at pressing up the field and forcing mistakes and equally adept at using their speed and thrust on the break. With Chelsea expected to come and play a bit more, Atletico Madrid will be happy to perhaps find some extra space when they attack.
With a relatively small squad, the question is whether a packed fixture list will finally catch up to the current La Liga leaders. In recent weeks, they have shown their ability to win when not at their best, certainly a trait of teams who are on the look for trophies. The performances as of late seem to be tinged with some fatigue; however the results have still been consistently good. Undoubtedly, Atletico Madrid will be motivated, with a potential Madrid derby in Lisbon the prize.
Recent form
Chelsea:
Chelsea 1-2 Sunderland (19/04; Premier League)
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Chelsea (22/04; Champions League)
Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea (27/04; Premier League)
Atletico Madrid:
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Elche (18/04; La Liga)
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Chelsea (22/04; Champions League)
Valencia 0-1 Atletico Madrid (27/04; La Liga)
Key absences
Chelsea: Petr Cech (doubt); Frank Lampard (suspended); John Obi Mikel (suspended); Nemanja Matic (ineligible); Mohamed Salah (ineligible)
Atletico Madrid: Gabi (suspended); Javi Manquillo (doubt)
Will miss final with one more booking
Chelsea: Willian
Atletico Madrid: Emiliano Insua; Koke; Juanfran
Players to watch
Chelsea – Willian: The Brazilian midfielder has enjoyed a good start to his Chelsea career. He offers up bountiful energy as well as penetrative dribbling and an eye for the final pass. He has chipped in with four goals this season, not a great return, but he is a midfielder that can find the net. In the absence of Lampard, Willian will be counted on to push Chelsea forward to grab the goals necessary to advance to the final.
Atletico Madrid – Thibaut Courtois: Owned by Chelsea, but loaned out to Atletico Madrid, Courtois will be in a peculiar position come Wednesday evening. If he was in the Chelsea squad then he may have well started against Atletico Madrid, but now he will attempt to knock out the team that own him. Chelsea will have to find their best in attack to beat the young Belgian goalkeeper who has already become one of the best at his position on the continent.
Match Prediction
While the first leg between these two sides had plenty of fight and commitment, the match was short on quality and drama. That will change no matter the tactics on Wednesday evening at Stamford Bridge. With a place in the Champions League final to play for, the stakes simply do not get any higher. It will be another fascinating strategic battle where this time Chelsea will be expected to force the issue and place further emphasis on attacking. Conversely, Atletico Madrid will more than likely sit back and wait to hit on the counter. An away goal by the Spanish side would swing the tie in their favour, but who can pick against Chelsea after their weekend victory over Liverpool? Experience could be the key and Chelsea could use it to advance to another European Cup final. Chelsea 2-1 Atletico Madrid.
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