Chelsea travel to Spain in order to face off against the la liga's Top dog ; Atletico Madrid, in the semifinals of the champion’s league.
Kick off at Vicenze Calderon Stadium 19:45 BST
Realistically, no one expected Chelsea to go through the quarter finals, after Paris saint Germaine had put 3 past them in the first leg of the quarter finals. They showed great resilience and spirit, when they came back for a 2 goal deficit in the second leg and knocked the French giants out of the competition, thanks to goals from Andreas Shurle, and Demba Ba. They are currently second in the premiere standings with 75 points are chasing Liverpool in the title race. They haven’t shown a great away form this season, managing only 2 wins in their last 5. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at times blamed the lack of able strikers for his team’s poor away form this season, but the opposing team’s manager Diego Simone has praised Chelsea’s strike force ,saying they possess world class strikers in there team ,who are a danger to any team. I suspect his history with Chelsea’s Fernando Torres may have clouded his judgment to some e extend. Fernando Torres form this season can be labeled many things but saying his world class is a bit of an exudation. Will Torres’s return to his boyhood clubs ground will a dream or a nightmare? We will just have to wait and see.
Atletico Madrid has had no such problems this season. They possess
a potent strike force in Spanish Internationals Diego Costa who is subject to a possible transfer between the two clubs , and David Villa. They
have put away Opposition with ease this season, thanks to their lethal partnership
in front of the opposition goal. Atletico Madrid defied all odds when they knocked
3 times champions Barcelona Out of the competition, and by doing so proved to
be worthy adversaries.
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| Both theese strikers have a lot to say in this game ,one is the light of hope for his team ,the other overlooked ,and dismissed . (Imagecredit:footzoo.com) |
Team Injury news
Diego Simeone has been boosted by the news that midfielder Arda Turan is
fit.The Turkey international had been sidelined with a groin injury suffered
during the quarter-final first leg against Barcelona and his return will ease
the pressure on playmaker Koke.Costa will lead the Atletico line, while on-loan
goalkeeper Courtois will line up between the posts after UEFA made it clear
that there could be no deal preventing him from facing his parent club. (Chelsea)
Samuel Eto'o was left in London with a knee injury , but
Eden Hazard, who has not played since suffering a calf injury in the
quarter-final win over Paris St Germain, did travel with the squad on Monday.Cech
is included in a 20-man squad party after missing Saturday's shock home defeat
by Sunderland in the Premier League through illness but Branislav Ivanovic is
suspended, so Cesar Azpilicueta may play at right-back and Ashley Cole could
return on the left.Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are ineligible after playing
for other clubs earlier in the competition.
this game is a difficult one to call, both teams play a great passing game ,and possess great skill on the ball.the team with arial power is likey to gain an advantage ,in this case chelsea,but athletico are a great counter attacking team , and can expose chelsea's lack of pace in defence .
Final Score
/Prediction
Atletico : 2 Chelsea : 1
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