Ziyech and Emerson steer Chelsea previous Atlético Madrid and into quarters – The Guardian

For Chelsea, it was tough to think about a extra good night. It had been straightforward to fret in regards to the awkward nature of Atlético Madrid’s risk however the method by which they contained the Spanish league leaders provided the newest proof of the resolve and self-discipline that Thomas Tuchel has dropped at the membership.

Chelsea caught a break within the first half when the rating was 0-0, César Azpilicueta placing his hand throughout Yannick Carrasco inside the realm because the final defender and never being penalised. It seemed like a penalty and a sending-off. However Atlético may get little else going and it was tough to recollect Édouard Mendy having to make a save till his stoppage-time tip-over from João Félix. By then, it was over.

The thick blue line in entrance of him was taut and unyielding and, in entrance of that, there was N’Golo Kanté, who had a type of nights for which the outdated joke was invented. Tuchel had Mateo Kovacic in midfield with Kanté both facet. One minute, Kanté was zipping again to shut the door on Atlético; the subsequent, he was surging previous crimson and white shirts to tee up probabilities.

Chelsea’s celebrations had been hearty upon the full-time whistle and who may blame them? After 4 successive defeats within the Champions League final 16, they’d lastly superior and no one will relish drawing them.

In 13 matches in all competitions beneath Tuchel, they’ve conceded simply twice, with one among them being Antonio Rüdiger’s freak personal aim at Sheffield United. Furthermore, they aren’t trying like conceding. The best way that they compress the house round attacking gamers, typically looking in coordinated packs, and quit so little inside their penalty space is massively spectacular.

There’s a strong-arm physicality about their central defensive three, which is personified by Rüdiger, though he embraced the darker arts within the 81st-minute incident that led to a crimson card for Stefan Savic. Up for a nook, Savic aimed an elbow into Rüdiger’s chest – it was a sly dig – however the Chelsea participant went down as if poleaxed.

What about Chelsea on the different finish? This was no rearguard triumph, moderately the type of return that they hoped for once they spent so closely on reshaping their attacking choices final summer time. With Mason Mount suspended and Tammy Abraham injured, Tuchel began with Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz both facet of Timo Werner and all three had eye-catching moments, not least once they mixed for the opening aim.

Atlético had loads of gamers ahead when Chelsea cleared a cross into their space and, out of the blue, Kieran Trippier was on his heels and Havertz was striding away from him. Diego Simeone, who supplied fairly the sideshow on the touchline, misplaced himself in a funk. The Atlético supervisor may see what was about to occur. Havertz performed within the overlapping Werner and his low cross invited Ziyech to complete low previous Jan Oblak.

The primary leg had been claustrophobic, formed by Atlético’s reluctance to take dangers and the impression that they’d be proud of a 0-0. They didn’t get that, due to Olivier Giroud’s spectacular overhead kick, and they also had no selection right here. They needed to attempt to come out.

Simeone requested his gamers to squeeze excessive on the outset they usually howled in useless for a free-kick to the fitting of the realm when Rüdiger barged into Luis Suárez on 23 minutes. The actual controversy would come moments later.

The previous Liverpool striker tried to play in Carrasco just for Azpilicueta to learn his intentions and transfer to usher the ball again to Mendy. Solely he left the move quick and, with Carrasco clear by means of, he grabbed at him. When Carrasco went down, the penalty felt inevitable and so did the crimson card, provided that Azpiliceuta had made no try and play the ball. And but the foul was not given. Mysteriously, VAR didn’t examine the incident.

How Chelsea finessed the reprieve. Shortly after Havertz was booked for catching José María Giménez with an elbow in an aerial problem, he ignited the transfer for Ziyech’s aim. Earlier than that, Werner had gone shut with a shot on the spin and, after it, Chelsea had been liberated.

It was pretty to see Havertz take pleasure in himself on the ball. His contact was loaded with assurance whereas his rangy fashion appeared to present him an additional half yard of tempo. Ziyech was all fast toes and incisive actions and he launched Werner early within the second-half; it took a wonderful block from Oblak to disclaim him. Werner’s motion was sharp all through. Ziyech additionally prolonged Oblak with a roller for a prime nook.

Chelsea largely restricted the Atlético dangerman, Félix, they usually turned the screw within the closing moments. One substitute, Callum Hudson-Odoi, shot weakly at Oblak on the break however, after an identical transfer, one other one, Emerson, picked out a backside nook. It was not more than Chelsea deserved.