Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea: Mourinho to start with a false nine again?

Will Chelsea play without a true striker again?

Will Chelsea play without a true striker again?

With Samuel Eto’o left behind, the comments made by Jose Mourinho about Fernando Torres were key and I am wondering if Mourinho plans to start with a “False Nine” again tonight against Atletico Madrid.

Of course Torres could start, so could Demba Ba for that matter but for me with doubts remaining over the match fitness of Eden Hazard, Mourinho could come up with a tactical surprise in the first leg.

We have seen Chelsea adopt the formation a couple of times this season and being honest, it hasn’t produced the performance or desired effect so far. In what appears to be (on paper) a tight, tense affair, the midfield battle could be key and I wouldn’t be surprised if we decided to go with the approach to the game again.

I believe that Eden Hazard is key to the thought process of Mourinho here. If he is fit enough to start, I believe Fernando Torres will start the game. If he isn’t and named on the bench, I think we could play without a recognised striker.

David Luiz and Frank Lampard will more than likely start in the holding roles, Oscar, Willian, Ramires and Andre Schurrle will play in the attacking positions with Ramires out wide.

With everything at stake this evening, Chelsea will set up so as not to concede and to hopefully nick a goal on the counter attack. Dependant on where we stand with around 60 to 70 minutes gone, we could see the likes of Fernando Torres come on to provide a focal point in our attack.

Think back to Man City away and you could possibly see the mindset of Mourinho. On that night, Chelsea were solid, compact and looked more than dangerous on the counter attack. Of course that night we had Eden Hazard causing them all sorts of problems!

What would you people do and how would you approach the game this evening? Would you set up so as to not concede and even play for a draw? Would you start with the false nine formation and look to pack the midfield and rely on our movement when we have the ball? Or, would you start with Torres or Demba Ba up top so we have a focal point in our attacks?

One thing is certain. Jose Mourinho knows Atletico and would have prepared his tactical plan based on trying to expose what he believes is their weakness. We have to hope that tonight we can deliver a performance and result based on his thought process.

Whether that’s with a false nine or someone up top, only time will tell.

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Edited by Staff Editor