SQUARE UP: WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE SECOND LEG OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIFINALS.

Date with Destiny

CHELSEA V ATLÉTICO MADRID (STAMFORD BRIDGE) first leg, 0-0.

The second semi-final in this week’s double header sees Chelsea F.C host Atlético Madrid at Stamford Bridge in London. With no goals in the first leg, a score draw will bring merit to Atletico Madrid’s progression in this competition while Chelsea will fill the need to win in their territory, even if it gets to penalties.

CHELSEA:  For many who have stated that Chelsea are weak with the suspensions and injuries, The 2012 UEFA champions league triumph was built on exactly the same scenario. Jose Bosingwa even manned the centre back slot!  

Still, there is much management to be done. I have delayed the publishing of this article in order to keep my ears to the ground concerning injury news. It turns out there might be a decision to make regarding the Goalkeeping position after Petr Cech emerged for Training on Tuesday Morning (a day to the game).

Petr Cech 

Mark Schwarzer who has enacted a custodial role for the last three games has put in two strong performances and one which was unjustly criticised against Sunderland.

The choice is easy; Petr Cech will play if he is at 95%. Anything below that and Schwarzer will star. 

In Defence, Ivanovic’s return will cost Ashley Cole a position in the team; Terry and Cahill are natural in a central partnership while Azpilicueta is a certainty at left back. It is simply amazing the level Azpilicueta plays at. He reminds me a lot of the argentine Roberto Ayala who was a very irritating defender to play against.

A robust and defiant set up at the Vicente Calderon has cost Jose Mourinho his choice midfield. The exclusion of Lampard and Mikel is a quandary. This leaves Ramires and David Luiz as first choice incumbents for the double pivot. Whether there is enough skill between these two to dominate atletico’s midfield is debatable.

Ramires and Luiz.

Ramires seems on edge as the world cup approaches, almost as if he is seeking for some kind of attention. We know he is not favoured by Big Phil Scolari for the Brazil team and I wonder if that’s a contributory action. 

David Luiz (the former Chelsea Defender) has magic in his feet but in my mind, he has only ever bossed a game once from the midfield against Monterrey in the 2012 Club world cup. This informs my thought that one of Chelsea’s Trident behind the striker will often be found scrapping in the central territory because of Atlético’s quartet in midfield. The choice is between Willian and Oscar.

Hazard set to return.

I have never fully trusted Oscar as a footballer because of his inconsistency and Willian’s role on the bench against Liverpool on Sunday tells me he will play centrally. The wide positions will be occupied by Eden Hazard on the left and André Schürrle on the right. 

Mourinho will utilise these players to offend Atletico’s fullbacks. It will create aggression in the game.  But if Oscar should start, then hold on for an overly tactical affair.

Demba Ba could barely walk of the field after his efforts against Liverpool, I don’t know if he has the affront “to go again” versus Atlético. I suspect Fernando Torres will get the nod. Boy, will it be ironic if he delivers. 

Jose Mourinho.

I expect that Jose Mourinho will want this game to be a contest as fast as possible and he will look to attack Atlético Madrid because 1-0 will be a dangerous score line to depend on. 

A leopard cannot hide his spots, but Chelsea’s defensive nature will be better utilised to close the game down after scoring.

ATLETICO MADRID: How did they even get to the edge of glory?  Well, Clarence Seedorf and Gerardo Martino should be interviewed for that answer. There’s the misconception that Atleti are a ‘cash strapped’ side. But after in’s and out’s during the August and January transfer windows, they made £29.5million pounds. 

While all the praise has gone to Diego Simeone, I will highlight the work of the athletic supervisor Jose Luis Caminero and fitness trainers Óscar Ortega and Carlos Menéndez. Caminero buys the right players for the system and these trainers i mentioned have put together a linear periodisation plan that ensures Atleti peak towards the end of the season. Impressive!

Atlético Madrid confounds the modern game with their 4-4-2 system. 

Safe hands.

That Thibaut Courtois is in goal is an immediate victory for Atletico but with future benefits for Chelsea. 

In defence, Juanfran-Miranda- Godin and Felipe Luis are telepathic and any other line-up will harm the chemistry needed to win a game of such magnitude.

The midfield has many directions to go but though the organisational skills of Gabi will be missed, not his technical input. The expectation is that Tiago mendes will find a place in midfield against his former club alongside Mario Suarez who was rested at the weekend but I suspect Raul Garcia will start alongside Suarez.  

Koke’s penetrating runs from the left will be much welcome and though he has been afflicted for a while, I expect Arda Turan to start after getting 30 minutes against Valencia. Jose Sosa will come on to work his wizardry from set-pieces and Chelsea should be wary. He has six goal assists so far.

Diego Costa must deliver.

Diego costa is a reference point and Diego Ribas will support him. After Ribas’s goal at the Nou camp, he was hailed as the best business conducted in January. But he maybe believed his hype and has been subpar since. He will need a big game tonight. 

David villa will be utilised when energy levels begin to drop in what will be an intense game.

Diego Simeone’s team approach matches with a cup mentality. They go game by game. I know he has given priority to the league and champions league hence the suspect performance against Real Madrid in the Copa del rey. He has his players fighting to the death and he gives autonomy to them on the pitch even as he tries to head every ball on the sideline. He will play the underdog card.

in 2005, The 'phantom' goal

MY VERDICT: It is noteworthy that Chelsea has not gotten past two UEFA Champions league semi-finals with Jose Mourinho at the helm. 

One of the first legs in the previous semi-final encounter ended in goalless draws. The losses stemmed from a very cautious approach which may be an unwise path to plough this time.

Atletico’s twitter handle last night read “While you sleep, we dream”. Anything is possible with them. If superstition is your thing, i assume they will line up in their yellow kit which has brought them so much luck.

Both teams have a motivation against Real Madrid in their ranks and victory is imperative. I only hope they have planned for Penalties.

Your thoughts are welcomed below.