Chelsea's plan on Tuesday evening in Spain was to limit Atlético Madrid's attack, keep them from scoring, and possibly steal an away goal. Achieving two out of three objectives will have to suffice for Jose Mourinho as Chelsea and Atléti played to an exceedingly dull scoreless draw at the Vincente Calderón.
Atlético Madrid vs. Chelsea: Final score 0-0, a match every bit as dull as you could imagine
Chelsea will likely be mostly pleased to return to London after a scoreless draw in Spain, though injuries to Petr Cech and John Terry will take some of the shine off the result.
The first half in Madrid was every bit as dull and defensive as you’d expect. Chelsea’s lineup was designed to keep Atléti contained, and for the most part it worked. It certainly wasn’t designed to attack the goal, because the Blues basically did none of that.
The most interesting moment in the half came after John Terry made a clean challenge from behind against Diego Costa. The excitable Atléti striker didn't approve and the two exchanged a moment that included a stare down and chest bump.
Peter Cech was forced out of the match in the 18th minute after landing awkwardly on his arm after preventing a chance for Atlético Madrid on a corner. There was nothing malicious, just some normal contact with Raúl García, but the Chelsea keeper immediately began signaling for a substitution as he grimaced in pain after hitting the ground. Mark Schwarzer replaced him in goal.
Diego Ribas had a good chance in the 55th minute after Schwarzer's poorly punched clearance went right to the Atléti midfielder on the edge of the Chelsea box. Diego clearly wanted to fire the ball right back on frame, but David Luiz closed down, forcing Diego to dribble inside before shooting. By that point, Schwarzer was in place to make a fairly easy stop.
John Terry suffered a foot injury, and left the match in the 73rd minute after Diego Costa came down on his foot.
Costa finally got a good chance on goal in the 92nd minute, but despite having space in the box, he couldn’t get good power on a header as he fell towards goal, allowing Schwarzer to make an easy save.
In the end there were no goals to be found, so the two teams will try again next Wednesday at Stamford Bridge.
A couple notes for the second leg: Frank Lampard will be suspended for the second leg after picking up a yellow card in the 64th minute for a hard tackle on Arda Turan. Gabi and John Obi Mikel both are suspended as well for yellow cards picked up after a shoving match late in the second half. All suspensions are for card accumulation.
Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Filipe Luis, Godín, Miranda, Juanfran, Gabi, Suárez (Sosa 80'), García (David Villa 86'), Koke, Diego Ribas (Turan 60'), Diego Costa
Goals: None.
Chelsea: Cech (Schwarzer 18’), Azpilicueta, Terry (Schürrle 73’), Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Luiz, Ramires, Torres, Willian (Ba 94’)
Goals: None.
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