Quarters await
Chelsea move on in the Champions League after overcoming Atletico Madrid 3-0 on aggregate and 2-0 on the night thanks to goals from Hakim Ziyech and Emerson.
Over the two legs Chelsea thoroughly deserved the victory although Atletico Madrid will feel aggrieved they weren’t awarded the penalty when tonight’s game was 0-0.
After what was a fairly cagey opening to the game, with both teams cancelling each other out as Atletico’s press was in full evidence, the first major incident occurred in the 26th minute.
Atletico were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Azpilicueta seemed to clearly put his arms across Carrasco in the box, but the incident didnt’ even go to VAR. If given Azpilicueta would have certainly have seen red and the result may have turned out differently.
“Azpilicueta has pulled him, what’s the ref going to do here!?”
Have Chelsea got away with one here? 🤔
Atletico Madrid could have had a first-half penalty at Stamford Bridge… pic.twitter.com/xGIkHC6SCk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 17, 2021
VAR didn’t even check the PL shout. Mad.
We would be having a 10 minute stoppage if it was a PL match.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 17, 2021
Chelsea rode their luck and took the lead in the 34th minute when they broke away and Havertz feed in Werner, who played it across the goal for Ziyech to fire home. It was a great goal involving three of Chelsea’s expensive summer recruits.
Chelsea’s summer signings combine in style 💰💰💰pic.twitter.com/454MbzUOWv
— BT Sport (@btsport) March 17, 2021
The second half was similar to the first as the Blues controlled the game and the expected onslaught from Atletico never came.
Atletico were reduced to ten men in the 81st minute when Savic was shown a straight red for elbowing Antonio Rudiger in the chest whilst defending a corner. It is fair to say Rudiger made a meal out of it but Savic could have no complaints with the colour of the card.
The tie was put to bed in 94th minute when substitute Emerson rifled home Pulisic’s pass to send Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Jorginho, who all were unavailable tonight, delirious with joy in the stands.
Impact! 💥
Emerson smashed the ball home with his first touch to seal the 3-0 aggregate win for Chelsea 🙌
Look at the celebrations in the stands from Thiago Silva, Mason Mount and Jorginho! 😆🤣 pic.twitter.com/wNX3YZe0Sx
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 17, 2021
Kante back to his best
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – AUGUST 14: Andrew Robertson of Liverpool and Ngolo Kante of Chelsea during the UEFA Super Cup Final fixture between Liverpool and Chelsea at Vodafone Park on August 14, 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)
N’Golo Kante rolled back the years in a man of the match performance in the heart of Chelsea’s midfield as he remined everyone watching just how good he can be when he is on his game.
Ngolo Kante vs Atletico Madrid
👉 Touches: 96
✉️ Passes: 81
🔑 Key Passes: 2
💪 Interceptions: 2
👋 Clearances: 2What a game 💫 pic.twitter.com/SLnS7GaLTj
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) March 17, 2021
Diego Simeone was gracious in defeat in his post match interview.
Simeone: “You have to congratulate your opponents when they are the better team. We tried to press them up the field, worked hard.” https://t.co/COVJviJutv
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) March 17, 2021
Chelsea now move into Friday’s draw and will be seen as a threat to anyone after overcoming Atletico convincingly over two legs.
