Chelsea 2-0 (3-0 on agg.) Atletico Madrid
It is easy to comment in hindsight but this Champions League last-16 tie completely played out as I expected.
It was a game that was far more important to the hosts than the visitors and it showed.
That is not to take anything away from Chelsea, who are unbeaten in the 13 matches since Thomas Tuchel succeeded Frank Lampard as boss in January – although judging by the SBOTOP Champions League 2021 betting odds they are unlikely to win the competition either.
But this Atletico side have clearly made La Liga their priority this term – they are currently four points clear at the Spanish summit – and for virtually all of this encounter it was evident.
Highlights of the game
A meeting of two clubs who built their most successful identities of the past decade around the same warrior striker, Diego Costa, Chelsea already had the advantage of a 1-0 lead and a priceless away goal.
Tuchel made five changes to the side that drew against Leeds in the Premier League last weekend. With midfielders Jorginho and Mason Mount both suspended and Andreas Christensen absent, there were starts for Kurt Zouma, Reece James and Mateo Kovacic.
Marcos Alonso and Timo Werner also came in as Ben Chilwell and Christian Pulisic dropped to the bench.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone opted for Renan Lodi and Joao Felix as Mario Hermoso and Angel Correa were named substitutes – the only two differences from the side that drew 0-0 with Getafe in La Liga last Saturday.
The personnel changes didn’t seem to matter with few Champions League highlights, although the home side looked largely comfortable even before they extended their aggregate advantage 11 minutes before the break.
A quick break following an Atletico free-kick saw Kai Havertz find his German compatriot Werner and, from his low cross, Hakim Ziyech finished with aplomb.
Of course, Atletico could score twice in 55 minutes – they had managed three in extra-time alone at this stage last season to knock then holders Liverpool out.
But how much did they want it?
Jan Oblak made an important save to keep out a low Werner drive after the restart and still Atletico rarely threatened.
If it wasn’t already, the game was up nine minutes from the end when Stefan Savic was dismissed for an elbow at Antonio Rudiger – prompting a slightly embarrassing and theatrical reaction from the centre-back.
As the clock reached 90 minutes, Edouard Mendy denied Felix what would have been an equaliser on the night but, even if that had gone in, Atletico would not have scored again.
As if to highlight home comforts, substitute Emerson Palmieri’s first task after coming on was to run 40 yards to collect a pass from Pulisic and he struck low and clean into the bottom corner.
Job done for Chelsea and deservedly so, although more committed opponents will surely follow.
Key statistics
Chelsea have never been eliminated in a European two-legged knockout tie after winning the first leg away from home (progressed from all 14).
Tuchel has only lost three of the 17 home games he has overseen as a manager in the Champions League (won 12, drawn two).
This is now the longest unbeaten start to a tenure by any manager in the club’s history, overtaking Luiz Felipe Scolari (12 games) in 2008.
The Blues are also to concede a goal in six home games under Tuchel in all competitions.
Ziyech has scored his first Champions League goal at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea and first at home in the competition since May 2019 for Ajax.
Savic received his third Champions League red card; only Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edgar Davids and Sergio Ramos have had more in the competition’s history (all four).
Atletico have lost four Champions League matches against Chelsea, their most against any opponent.
They have won just two of their past 11 away Champions League knockout matches (drawn two, lost seven).
Luis Suárez has failed to score in all six of his Champions League appearances for the club this season and has not scored in any of his last 25 away appearances in the competition, since September 2015 with Barcelona at Roma.
What’s next?
There’s more cup football for Chelsea this weekend as they entertain Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
There’s then a two-week international break before West Brom are the visitors to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Easter Saturday (April 3).
Atletico welcome Alaves in La Liga on Sunday teatime and then also have a break before a tricky looking trip to Sevilla straight after the break.
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