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Chelsea reached the Champions League quarter-finals thanks to a 2-0 (3-0 aggregate) victory in their round of 16 second leg against Atlético de Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Hakim Ziyech scored the crucial first goal of the night when he converted a clinical counterattack from close range inside the box. Emerson added a late second with his first touch, and Chelsea’s victory ensured they defeated Diego Simeone’s men 3-0 on both legs.
Highlights
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2 Related
Atlético had started the game well and dominated possession, but Chelsea managed to survive the initial pressure and was later able to play through the press. The goal was a perfect example; Kai Havertz won the ball inside his own half and released Timo Werner down the left, who crossed to an unmarked Ziyech to touch home plate.
Chelsea had more chances to score. Timo Werner was close on several occasions and Ziyech was close with another effort from the edge of the box, but Jan Oblak was up to the task. Ultimately, Madrid offered very little attacking threat, and Chelsea were able to make it to the last eight.
Positive
Chelsea were clinical against it with Havertz and Ziyech particularly dangerous at halftime. Ziyech and Timo Werner also formed a powerful partnership, combining multiple times that led to shots on target. Defensively, Chelsea was unwavering.
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Negative
It is very difficult to criticize Chelsea when they did the job without conceding a goal, but the Blues have now only scored 14 goals with Tuchel in 13 games. That could be a concern as they progress through the tournament.
Manager rating out of 10
8 – Tuchel would have expected some early pressure from the visitors, but his defense was more than up to the task. His goalkeeper didn’t have a major save until late in the game, while his attacking players did business on the counter. Even without Olivier Giroud, the hero of the first leg, the Chelsea manager is now 13 games unbeaten.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players submitted after 70 minutes are not rated)
GK Edouard Mendy, 6 years old – Mendy had very little to do at all times, other than two late saves to deny Joao Félix. He would never have expected such a quiet night in a Champions League knockout knockout, but that’s a testament to his defense and his defensive midfielders.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 7 – The Chelsea captain escaped with a reckless moment in the first half, when, after playing too short a back pass, he appeared to have thrown Yannick Carrasco into the area. The referee shook the game and after that break he looked solid.
DF Kurt Zouma, 7 years old – The central defender made some misplaced passes, but did it well enough to keep Luis Suárez and Félix quiet. Overall, Chelsea’s defense was superb.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 8 – He showed good strength to shake Suarez once, knocking the forward to the ground. In fact, Suarez saw very little of the ball all night. Rudiger defended himself stoically and also approached with a fierce attack on the other end. He was elbowed for his troubles, but Stefan Savic was punished for the misdemeanor.
MF Reece James, 7 years old – He saw plenty of the ball down Chelsea’s right hand side, and provided a series of taunting crosses. At the other end, he did so well to Carrasco that the winger was substituted before the hour.
Antonio Rudiger was a colossus at the heart of a Chelsea defense that didn’t give Atleti much of a nose on Wednesday. fake images
MF Mateo Kovacic, 8 – The defensive midfielder did a fantastic job relieving his fellow Atlético press. He formed a solid wall in front of the three behind Chelsea.
MF N’Golo Kante, 8 – Together with Kovacic, Chelsea’s central defensive duo deconstructed the Atlético press on their own. Kante was everywhere, closing, pressing, recovering the ball and releasing his teammates. It was the Frenchman who won the ball to free Christian Pulisic for Chelsea’s second.
MF Marcos Alonso, 7 – He put himself in good positions at both ends, but he didn’t always make the right decision with the ball. He had a particularly excellent labyrinth run in the first half.
MF Hakim Ziyech, 7 years old – In a tight match, Ziyech was the player looking to run to Atlético’s defense. He freed himself on a counterattack to slip in without scoring from close range after a beautiful ball from Werner. It was close to a second when Oblak flipped his left-handed shot from the edge of the area.
MF Kai Havertz, 7 years old – His evening began with a good shot that allowed Marcos Alonso to continue a dizzying career, and then he was right to free Timo Werner for the first goal. He was later knocked down in the box under pressure, but nothing was given to him.
DEL Timo Werner, 8 – The German had Chelsea’s first shot opportunity, showing off quick feet to give himself some space before an effort was blocked. It was then from his escape down the left and the back center that Ziyech opened the scoring. Werner had a couple of good chances to double Chelsea’s lead, but Oblak saved his shots well.
Substitutes
FW Callum Hudson-Odoi, N / R – He had a shot off his first touch and came close to doubling Chelsea’s lead, but couldn’t find a way to get past Oblak.
MF Christian Pulisic, N / R – Pulisic seemed like a man devoid of confidence to begin with. However, he was released at halftime in injury time and it was his pass that Emerson converted.
DF Ben Chilwell, N / A – The left-back didn’t really get a chance to touch the ball after his tackle. MF Emerson, N / R – Scored with his only touch, the Italy international drove home with a low effort in the far corner.
MF Emerson, N / A – Scored with his only touch, the Italy international drove home with a low effort in the far corner.
Source: espn.co.uk
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