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Jose Mourinho attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match Atletico de Madrid vs Chelsea at Vicente Calderon stadium
Whatever your view on Mike Dean’s involvement, something seismic happened at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as Sunderland ended Jose Mourinho’s 77-match unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge and almost certainly with it, Chelsea’s Premier League title hopes.
That loss will surely serve to narrow the Blues’ focus on the Champions League, where they are just three games away from repeating their 2012 triumph. Atletico Madrid, who currently top the La Liga standings ahead of the twin behemoths of Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be hoping for another impressive scalp as they take on Chelsea in the first-leg of their semi-final clash at the Vicente Calderon.
Chelsea fought back to oust Paris St-Germain on away goals after losing the fist leg of their quarter-final 3-1 in France, but with Atletico highly unlikely to be so forgiving, who makes the line-up Mourinho should send out in Madrid to ensure Los Colchoneros don’t rack up a similar advantage?
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech
Petr Cech was brilliant in the second of the Champions League quarter final against PSG
Rested for Sunderland’s visit, a decision Mourinho might somewhat regret after Mark Schwarzer’s flap-handed display, Cech will certainly return to the first team for the trip to Madrid.
Cech produced a man of the match Squawka Performance Score of 62 in the Blues’ 2-0 win over PSG and no keeper has kept more clean sheets in the Champions League this season than his five.
Thibaut Courtois will be aiming to show his parent club exactly why he should replace Cech in the Blues’ net next season, and the veteran will no doubt want to make a point in that regard as well.
Right-back: Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta tackles Jozy Altidore of Sunderland
With Branislav Ivanovic suspended, Azpilicueta should switch to his preferred role at right-back after a long stint covering on the left.
The Spaniard had an evening to forget against Sunderland, but is key part of Mourinho’s back four, having average seven defensive actions per game in the Champions League this season – a tally only John Terry can better in the Blues’ squad.
Left-back: Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole has found game time hard to come by at Stamford Bridge this season
Cole has tumbled so far out of favour at Chelsea this season that he has featured in just one of their past 18 games in all competitions and hasn’t started a match since January, but his experience lessens the risk of plunging him into the starting line-up in Madrid.
Mourinho might decide to keep Azpilicueta on the left and insert David Luiz on the right in Ivanovic’s absence, but the better bet would be to pluck Cole from the wilderness.
Centre-back: John Terry
John Terry in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge
Rejuvenated under Mourinho, Terry has been superb for Chelsea this season in both domestic and European competition, and Eden Hazard is the only outfield player to have racked up a higher Performance Score than the defender’s 262 in the Champions League.
Terry averages eight defensive actions per game in Europe, and will be central to the Blues’ attempts to restrict the prolific Diego Costa’s opportunities.
Centre-back: Gary Cahill
Gary Cahill during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Stoke City at Stamford Bridge
One of Chelsea’s most consistent performers this season, Cahill’s impressive partnership with Terry will be integral to their chances of getting a result in Madrid.
Even in the loss to Sunderland, Cahill was an assured presence at the back, especially in the air, making seven clearances and winning half of his six headed duels.
Central midfield: David Luiz
David Luiz attends a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match Atletico de Madrid vs Chelsea at Vicente Calderon stadium
The flamboyant Brazilian turned from zero to hero over two legs against PSG, cancelling out his disastrous display in Paris with a sterling performance at home to help Chelsea overturn their deficit.
Luiz made five tackles in the second leg, along with five clearances and two interceptions, as well as providing the assist for Andre Schurrle’s goal. Without the cup-tied Nemanja Matic, Mourinho must deploy Luiz to add some steel to Chelsea’s midfield.
Central midfield: Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard of Chelsea in action during the UEFA Champions League quarter final match between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stamford Bridge
The veteran has featured in every one of Chelsea’s 10 Champions League games this season, and should be used from the start in Madrid after being rested for the two league games since the win over PSG.
Lampard has created 12 chances in Europe this season, with only Oscar and Willian providing more for Chelsea, and his dead ball prowess could be vital in their attempts to snatch an away goal.
Right-wing; Ramires
The Brazilian’s domestic season might be over if the FA take a dim view of the elbow he apparently threw at Sebastian Larsson on Saturday, but he will still have a huge role to play in Europe.
Simeone has generally deployed Koke on the left flank of his side, and, with 16, the young playmaker has created more chances than anyone else in the Atletico squad in Europe this term.
Starting the tireless Ramires on the right to combat the threat from Koke will help in limiting the supply line he provides for Costa and co.
Left-wing: Andre Schurrle
Andre Schurrle celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg football match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea have been sweating on the Belgian’s fitness since he limped off in the 18th minute against PSG, and given the importance of the match, the Blues will have been distraught at the news that Hazard recently missed training and remains a doubt.
They do have reasonably adequate replacement in Schurrle, though, should Hazard be ruled out. In just eight appearances, the German has created seven goalscoring chances and has dribbled passed opponents on 18 occasions.
Attacking midfield: Willian
Willian celebrates after scoring Chelsea’s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Stoke City
No Chelsea player has created more chances in Europe than Willian’s 14 this season, and the value of the energy he brings to the Blues’ attack was evident in the 2-0 win over PSG.
Willian created two chances in that game, completed 93 per cent of his 46 attempted passes as well as three out of five take ons, and chipped in with two tackles.
The Brazilian’s impressive work rate will help Chelsea’s defensive efforts, and his ability to carry the ball from his own half will be key to their counter-attacking play.
Striker: Samuel Eto’o
Samuel Eto’o of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal uring the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal
Each of Chelsea’s trio of much maligned strikers have notched three goals in the Champions League this season, but despite Demba Ba’s late heroics against PSG, Eto’o is the man who will surely get the nod upfront.
The Cameroon international has linked up far more adeptly with the Blues’ midfield in Europe than his striking rivals, having created 10 chances compared to two apiece for Ba and Fernando Torres.
