Atleti looks to Costa for Chelsea reversal
Print Edition
ATLETICO Madrid failed to breach Chelsea’s wall of resistance at the Calderon and it will now hope for more from its leading marksman Diego Costa in the decisive return leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal tie in London.
Costa’s goals have fuelled Atletico’s trophy charge both domestically and in Europe this season, but against Chelsea, which is reportedly interested in signing him, the 25-year-old striker couldn’t find the back of the net in the goalless draw on Tuesday night.
It has been a remarkable season for the Brazilian-born striker who has chosen to represent Spain and, having won his first cap against Italy, is set for a place in its World Cup squad.
Costa has come out of the shadows of Radamel Falcao who left Atletico for Monaco and he has now hit 27 goals as Atletico leads the La Liga title race.
His pace and physical strength have helped him to a further seven in the Champions League but against Gary Cahill and John Terry he failed to create much space.
A strong challenge early on from Terry sparked an angry reaction from Costa, who is well known for his short fuse, but after that the contest rarely looked like it would boil over.
Raul Garcia saw more of the ball in a game where Chelsea successfully blocked the supply to the forwards with Koke in particular on the right unable to make much of an impact.
Atletico had 65 percent of the possession but it couldn’t find a way to goal. “We tried different approaches, in the final 12 or 13 minutes with Gabi and Koke in the middle, Sosa and Arda on the wings, but our rivals defended well,” coach Diego Simeone told a news conference.
Gabi did impose himself on the midfield and his work-rate and incisive passing will be badly missed in the return leg, where he is suspended. Atletico will be quietly confident, however, that it can get the result it needs at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday to reach the final in Lisbon.
It is a compact side and with Diego Godin and Joao Miranda at the back, it is capable of resisting a lot of pressure, while with Chelsea having to come out of its shell, Atletico can pounce on the break.
“Each team has their way of playing and we were on top but we couldn’t score,” Miranda said. “At home they will have to attack more and there is no doubt that we can surprise them.”
Chelsea will be without goalkeeper Petr Cech and captain John Terry for the rest of the English Premier League season, prompting manager Jose Mourinho to make the Champions League his team’s priority.
The Chelsea veterans were injured during separate incidents in the draw at Atletico.
Cech’s season is over
“Petr Cech’s season is over. Don’t ask me to explain it technically, but it’s over,” Mourinho said. “With John, we’ll have to play in the final for him to play with us again.”
Cech injured his left arm in the 15th minute with reports suggesting the Czech ‘keeper dislocated his shoulder. Terry came off after landing awkwardly on his foot in the 73rd.
The Premier League season ends on May 11, while the Champions League final is on May 24.
Chelsea was already without injured forwards Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o at Atletico, and now goes into Sunday’s match at Premier League leader Liverpool with more injury problems. With three matches left in the season, Chelsea trails Liverpool by five points.
The Portuguese manager said those players he needs for the return leg against Atletico on April 30 may not play against Liverpool. Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel could be available at Anfield since they are booked for the Atletico match.
“My priority is the Champions League,” said Mourinho.
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