Chelsea on top in Europe, but will Jose give title to Liverpool?
Goalless draw gives Blues Champions League initiative but they may sacrifice domestic ambitions
Atletico Madrid 0 Chelsea 0. It wasn't pretty but the goalless draw Chelsea earned in the first leg of their champions league semi-final with Atletico Madrid could prove priceless when the two sides meet again next Wednesday.
The Blues parked the proverbial bus in the Vicente Calderon and try as they might the Spanish side just couldn't find a way round it into the Chelsea goal. Even the departure of Petr Cech on 18 minutes with a dislocated shoulder didn't hand Atletico an advantage, and veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer deputised with his customary cool.
Cech's injury, and the foot wound suffered by John Terry in the second half were the only negatives on the night for Chelsea. According to manager Jose Mourinho neither will be fit for the return leg and Cech's season looks to be over.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Chelsea's negativity surprised no one. On the day David Moyes was sacked as manager of Manchester United, Mourinho gave a masterclass in pragmatism, his nous in stark contrast to the naivety that was the hallmark of Moyes' short-lived reign at Old Trafford.
Missing the injured duo Samuel Eto'o and Eden Hazard, and with Branislav Ivanovic suspended, Mourinho was never going to send out a side to win the match. All he wanted was to stop Atletico scoring and it was mission accomplished for the Special One. Despite dominating the match with 62 percent of possession and 26 shots at goal (compared to Chelsea's five), the home side couldn't break down the Blues' defence, leaving them angry and frustrated at the end of the encounter.
"Atletico wanted to win from start to finish," said captain Gabi. "We knew they would not concede a goal easily and we come away with a bad taste."
Mourinho had no qualms about his side's approach, telling reporters: "The game goes in a certain direction where you feel you have to be safe, don't concede and try to score in one of the few chances you create. We go with a result that decides everything at Stamford Bridge."
Between now and that second leg, Chelsea have the small matter of a trip to Liverpool on Sunday in a fixture that will have a huge bearing on the outcome of the Premier League. The Blues are five points behind leaders Liverpool and victory at Anfield would throw the title race wide open again, but asked if he intended to field a weakened side against the Reds, Mourinho replied: "I think I will do it... play the players that are not going to play next Wednesday."
He added that he would speak to the Chelsea board before making a final decision, but Mourinho made it clear he feels he has been backed into a corner by the Premier League because of their insistence the Blues play on Sunday.
"We represent English football and we are the only English team that is in European competition," said Mourinho. "We have a big match on Wednesday that can give Chelsea another Champions League final, we ask, ask and asked again to play on the Saturday... [but] the Premier League decide to put that Liverpool game on Sunday, when Liverpool refuse to play on a Saturday. It is a decision I have to make with the club, if the club wants to go with everything in direction of the Champions League I am ready for that."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published