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Chelsea's defensive juggernaut halted by Atlético Madrid's sheer vibrancy Chelsea's defensive juggernaut halted by Atlético Madrid's sheer vibrancy
(35 minutes later)
All good things - or bad, depending on your tactical tastes - must come to an end and at Stamford Bridge Chelsea's defensive juggernaut was duly halted by an Atletico Madrid team too well-grooved, too canny and ultimately too vibrant in attack to be smothered for a second time. Jose Mourinho has now lost in a champions League semi-final six times out of eight. It is a less telling stat than it sounds: this is a very hard competition to win. But there must still be concern at the enervated nature of this performance as a lop-sided, strangely-configured team ran out of steel, defending its way to a meek 3-1 home defeat. All good things – or bad, depending on your tactical tastes – must come to an end and at Stamford Bridge Chelsea's defensive juggernaut was duly halted by an Atlético Madrid team too well-grooved, too canny and ultimately too vibrant in attack to be smothered for a second time. José Mourinho has now lost in a champions League semi-final six times out of eight. It is a less telling statistic than it sounds: this is a very hard competition to win but there must still be concern at the enervated nature of this performance as a lopsided, strangely-configured team ran out of steel, defending their way to a meek 3-1 home defeat.
There will be celebrations not just among Atletico's full-voiced support, but also among the self-appointed pro-football lobby, those moved to raise a scented handkerchief to their nose at the spectacle of Chelsea's extreme defensive stitching in recent matches. Plus of course the rush will begin to cut Mourinho down to size, to claim that the magic dust has gone, the tactics are obsolete, the motivational superpowers decisively depleted. There will be celebrations not just among Atlético's full-voiced support but also among the self-appointed pro-football lobby, those moved to raise a scented handkerchief to their nose at the spectacle of Chelsea's extreme defensive stitching in recent matches. Plus of course the rush will begin to cut Mourinho down to size, to claim that the magic dust has gone, the tactics are obsolete, the motivational superpowers decisively depleted.
It is an over-correction. In many ways Mourinho has done quite well to take what is a lopsided, ageing team this far. This is not one of the top four playing squads in Europe and Mourinho's tactics were the right ones to drive Chelsea to within 50 minutes of a champions League final. A specialist in semi-final failure is a pretty good kind of specialist to be, not least when you are also a two-time winner. It is an over-correction. In many ways Mourinho has done quite well to take what is an ageing team this far. They are not one of the top four playing squads in Europe and Mourinho's tactics were the right ones to drive Chelsea to within 50 minutes of a Champions League final. A specialist in semi-final failure is a pretty good kind of specialist to be, not least when you are also a two-times winner.
And yet for all that Chelsea were genuinely poor here, outplayed on their own ground by a more balanced and mobile team of great sprit and energy. Although, never let it be said that Mourinho bends with the wind and it was an extraordinary Chelsea team from the start, a selection that bordered on a debauchery of defence. This was less a team sheet more a piece of managerial satire, Mourinho responded to accusations his team is too defensive by picking five defenders and playing David Luiz in midfield. From Ashley Cole on the left to Cesar Azpilicueta on the right an iron curtain has fallen across Chelsea's defence in the last week and here was another patch of territory annexed. And yet for all that Chelsea were genuinely poor, outplayed on their own ground by a more balanced and mobile team of great spirit and energy. Although, never let it be said that Mourinho bends with the wind and it was an extraordinary Chelsea team from the start, a selection that bordered on a debauchery of defence. This was less a team sheet more a piece of managerial satire. Mourinho responded to accusations his team are too defensive by picking five defenders and playing David Luiz in midfield. From Ashley Cole on the left to César Azpilicueta on the right an iron curtain has fallen across Chelsea's defence in the last week and here was another patch of territory annexed.
It was all the more bizarre given this was a match in which Chelsea were under pressure to use not just the shield but the sword. Twice in previous rounds they had been presented with a must-win second leg at Stamford Bridge and responded with brio. On this occasion Mourinho simply went with more of the same, more defence, more solidity. It never looked like enough.It was all the more bizarre given this was a match in which Chelsea were under pressure to use not just the shield but the sword. Twice in previous rounds they had been presented with a must-win second leg at Stamford Bridge and responded with brio. On this occasion Mourinho simply went with more of the same, more defence, more solidity. It never looked like enough.
At times in the first half defensive right winger Azpilicueta was Chelsea's most advanced player. And really, you do have to wonder about all this in a match Chelsea had to win and which too often saw Branislav Ivanovic and Azpilicueta fumbling between them on the right wing like a waltzing couple each waiting for the other to take the lead. Mourinho was blessed here by the return of Eden Hazard, chief playmaker in Chelsea's transitions from defence to attack, but twice in the first half he beat his man but found himself completely isolated. Mourinho is right to complain that his resources are limited, but counterattacking at speed is a specialist midfielder's skill and there was no clear reason why Azpilicueta should play ahead of Andre Schurrle. At times in the first half the defensive right-winger Azpilicueta was Chelsea's most advanced player. And really, you do have to wonder about all this in a match Chelsea had to win and which too often saw Branislav Ivanovic and Azpilicueta fumbling between them on the right wing like a waltzing couple each waiting for the other to take the lead. Mourinho was blessed here by the return of Eden Hazard, the chief playmaker in Chelsea's transitions from defence to attack, but twice in the first half he beat his man but found himself completely isolated. Mourinho is right to complain that his resources are limited but counterattacking at speed is a specialist midfielder's skill and there was no clear reason why Azpilicueta should play ahead of André Schürrle.
It was a strange first half all round as Chelsea's crowd considered the tactical intricacies of the double full-back system in something close to silence and Atletico pressed cautiously, a team surprised to find itself ushered forward so readily away from home. At which point Chelsea scored a fine goal. Willian wriggled into a pocket of space by the corner flag, Azpilicueta centred low and hard and Torres scored via a deflection off Mario Suarez. Torres half-celebrated half-apologised,. It was that kind of half, just as Atletico's equaliser before half time was also a muddle. Five defenders is all very well,but not if they defend like this. The ball was switched far too easily from the left by Arda Turan (perhaps Chelsea actually needed three right backs) and then back again. Terry's miskick wrong-footed Cole, who also missed it, and Adrian Lopez tucked it in on the bounce. It was a strange first half all round as Chelsea's crowd considered the tactical intricacies of the double full-back system in something close to silence and Atlético pressed cautiously, a team surprised to find themselves ushered forward so readily away from home. At which point Chelsea scored a fine goal. Willian wriggled into a pocket of space by the corner flag, Azpilicueta centred low and hard and Fernando Torres scored via a deflection. Torres half-celebrated half-apologised. It was that kind of half, just as Atlético's equaliser was also a muddle. Five defenders is all very wellbut not if they defend like this. The ball was switched far too easily from the left by Arda Turan (perhaps Chelsea actually needed three right-backs) and then back again. John Terry's miskick wrong-footed Cole, who also missed it, and Adrián tucked it in on the bounce.
Off went the double full-back after the break, consigned to the dustbin of bizarre tactical gambits and on came Samuel Eto'o, whose first act was to give away a penalty that Diego Costa duly smashed home. The Atletico bench embraced wildly, the black-clad Diego Simeone waved his arms about on the touchline like a stranded mafiosi enforcer deliriously hailing a helicopter, and Turan's third twelve minutes later killed the game. Off went the double full-back after the break, consigned to the dustbin of bizarre tactical gambits and on came Samuel Eto'o, whose first act was to give away a penalty that Diego Costa smashed home. The Atlético bench embraced wildly, the black-clad Diego Simeone waved his arms about on the touchline like a stranded mafiosi enforcer deliriously hailing a helicopter, and Turan's goal 12 minutes later killed the game.
And really it seems a shame to focus on Chelsea's failings. As Koke and Turan began to find their stride, Juanfran attacked energetically and Costa radiated a bicep-flexing menace it was easy to see why Atletico have provided such a thrillingly concentrated presence in La Liga. This is a genuinely inspiring team built from parts and off-cuts and a core of excellent mature Spanish players. There may be a rush to junk Mourinho among those irritated by his demeanour and his win-at-all-costs approach which, when it fails, leaves him with no aesthetic ideals, no economic principles to hide behind. Perhaps the modern super-manager is a myth in itself: two of them have gone down now in the last two days. But at the end here Mourinho was duly deferential towards a beautifully balanced opposition who are worthy finalists. And really it seems a shame to focus on Chelsea's failings. As Koke and Turan began to find their stride, Juanfran attacked energetically and Costa radiated a bicep-flexing menace it was easy to see why Atlético have provided such a thrillingly concentrated presence in La Liga. They are an inspiring team built from parts and off-cuts and a core of excellent mature Spanish players. There may be a rush to junk Mourinho among those irritated by his demeanour and his win-at-all-costs approach which, when it fails, leaves him with no aesthetic ideals, no economic principles to hide behind. Perhaps the modern supermanager is a myth in itself: two of them have gone down now in the last two days but at the end here Mourinho was duly deferential towards a beautifully balanced opposition who are worthy finalists.