ATLETICO DE MADRID GETS ITS PASS TO LISBON Chelsea 1–3 Atletico de Madrid (semi-final, second leg). Champions League 2013-2014.

08/05/2014

Stamford Bridge was witness of the passionate Atletico, during a match where Simeone’s frame destroyed Chelsea, proving an idea for a game Atletico has maintained since the arrival of the Argentinean (two and a half years ago) to a team lacking of a leader and a goal which currently adjusts to the League as well as the Champions League’s achievements.

The match started to the rhythm set by Atletico, since Mourinho had set up a similar team when playing at Vicente Calderon (Ivanovic being the only difference) with the premise of waiting for the precise moment to counterstrike. This is a technique that has worked very well for the Portuguese Technical Director; however, on this occasion, the quality and know-how of the rival team got them ahead.

Starting with their rearguard, led by one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Courtois (10 Index) played a spectacular match, with five catches and three imminent saves, he helped carry out the dream and is also in the Top 3 of the Goalkeepers Ranking of the Champions League, only surpassed by Victor Valdes (8.97 Index), and Iker Casillas (8.82 Index).

This is a supportive team, where everyone participates, attacks, and defends. This is a rearguard every fan of the Atletico knows by heart, and which, once again, performed at the level of the most important games, with 31 recoveries among the last four players, and a very elevated participation in offensive plays by sideliners (eight deep passes and eight offensive imbalances between both), taking into consideration that Juanfran (9.50 Index) two assist for goal during that match that were unbalancing. This is a season to remember, and a serious problem for Vicente del Bosque, who will have more doubts regarding who will be the chosen player to play as right sideliner at the World Cup in Brazil. Carvajal (8.63 Index), Azpilicueta (8.14 Index), and Juanfran (8.01 Index) will surely relieve Arbeloa, an old weak spot in the Spanish team. 

With Gabi out, Atletico made the Tiago-Suarez center team, always accompanied by Koke (7.32 Index) and Turan (10 Index) who are free to move around, and with the entry of Adrian Lopez (7.96 Index), who heeled over the sideline, allowing Filipe Luis to unfold and make more room so the Turk could do some damage to the blue?s defense. It was played to perfection since Adrian scored the tie before halftime in front of very happy Atletico fans (massive movement to London): a psychological goal which left the team ready to face the second half of the match.

During the next 45 minutes, Simeone?s team followed his lead, and then Eto?o made his childish mistake (who had entered the match minutes before), which allowed Diego Costa to execute Schwarzer from the penalty point. Minutes later, Arda Turan who sentenced the match with a 1-3 finale in a phenomenal performance (1 goal, 5 offensive imbalances, and 7 deep passes).

Chelsea went out to the match convinced it would win a Continental Final for the third consecutive time (Champions 2013, Europa League 2013), but just as in Madrid, Torres (7.39 Index) was isolated, and although faced with these limitations, was able to take his team up on the score board (1-0), but this was not enough against the rival team?s conviction, who stayed true to their game and was able to unravel the English team?s defensive web.

Terry (10 Index), the team?s captain, was the best player (nine recoveries, two shots at goal, one imminent save), and the match was about to change course if not for the intervention of Courtois under the goal line. Mourinho regretted this play and knows the offensive limitations of his team, which is why the Coach worships players like Diego Costa (8.93 Index, first in his team?s General Ranking, and seventh of the whole competition) a published comment, and Courtois, the goalkeeper, who demands Cech as his replacement. Only time will tell where next season will be played. For the time being, the next match will be played dressed in the red and white football shirt.

After a passionate tournament, the best must be crowned. Real Madrid knows whom they are going against, the Spanish capital is counting the days in which they will meet at a Final (unprecedented in the history of the Champions League, where performance, rivalry, and emotion are always guaranteed.