The greatest game for Atletico Madrid in 40 years comes today at the Vicente Claderon, a CL semifinal against Mourinho’s Chelsea. Full squad for los Cholchoneros as long as key keeper Courtois, who has a contract clause not to play against the team he belongs, Chelsea, got the clearance most probably because Atletico paid the huge fee for his clause, while Arda Turan has been fully recovered and made it to the list. Turan will start to the bench though and another problem may arrives in case that Juanfran, Gabi, Koke (plus Insua) get booked today something that means they are losing the return leg suspended.
Chelsea traveled in Madrid coming from the shocking home defeat against Sunderland, a defeat that as everything shows, will cost them the league title in the Premier League. Of course this is a CL semifinal, Mourinho has the know-how and the experience to cope with that. Peter Cech who didn’t play against the black cats will most probably feature today, right back Ivanović is suspended but Mourinho’s greater concern comes for Belgium forward Eden Hazard who has been struggling recently but made it in the list. He is doubt until last minute, Eto’o is out injured.
When comes to a CL semi final the home ground gives a strong advantage and this time this advantege becomes gigantic as long as Atletico Madrid is the host team. The rojiblancos have managed to built a fortress in Vicenta Calderon where they allow only 2 shots average in their goal in La Liga. Real escaped with a 2-2 draw shoting just 6 times on target, Barcelona failed to beat them in 4 games this season, they had only 4 shots between Atleti’s posts in the 1st round there!
It will be really difficult for Chelsea – and for every other team around – to go there and beat Atletico. Simeone with a full squad will not get all over Chelsea to win the game from the 1st minute. He has his philosophy and his strategy and if Atletico fails to score with the conventional methods they will start the siege and it will be really interesting to see how much Chelsea will last defending.
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