Chelsea v Atletico Madrid - It's all or nothing for Atletico - Three points wins the group for Chelsea.
Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge in match-day six of the Champions League knowing that having already qualified for the...
https://www.chelseadaft.org/2017/12/chelsea-v-atletico-madrid-its-all-or.html
Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge in match-day six of the Champions League knowing that having already qualified for the knock-out stages, victory will win the group.
The Dilemma for Antonio Conte tonight will be how to approach the game this evening. Atletico are desperate for a win to hope that FC Qarabag will manage to get a result against Roma to qualify for the next round. If Roma avoid defeat, Atletico and Diego Simeone face the Europa League so expect them to name a full strength side.
As for Conte and Chelsea? I just wonder if he will change his tactical approach and revert back to the 3-4-3 formation playing with two number tens to support Alvaro Morata up front?
As we all witnessed a few weeks ago in Madrid, the benefit of our new formation 3-5-2 allows the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata to shine as they did that night so the temptation is to adopt the same tactic for the return leg here in London.
Victor Moses could find himself back on the bench with West Ham at the weekend in mind to be replaced by Davide Zappacosta who has done well since his arrival. Marcos Alonso will continue on the left-hand side.
Our back three could be interesting with Gary Cahill making a return to the side alongside Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta despite a goal-scoring appearance at the weekend from Toni Rudiger.
In the heart of our midfield, expect Tiemoue Bakayoko and N'Golo Kante to come back into the side next to Cesc Fabregas giving our defence some additional protection which is hard on Danny Drinkwater who has done nothing wrong since he has regained fitness.
Eden Hazard will continue playing a supporting role with freedom in behind Alvaro Morata as we look for both of them to continue their impressive form together.
Predicted eleven: Courtois, Moses, Alonso, Cahill (c), Christensen, Azpilicueta, Kante, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Hazard and Morata.
It's a game that could be wide open with Atletico coming here knowing that their fate is totally out of their hands but victory tonight could be good enough. I want to see our Chelsea side approach this one as we do week-in, week-out in the Premier League. I want us to dominate possession of the ball, move the ball at a decent tempo and really look to take the game to our opponents.
It's all or nothing for Atletico, for Chelsea three points will win the group. This could turn into a classic night under the lights at the Bridge!
Chelsea to win tonight by two goals! COME ON CHELSEA!!!
Given the sides already through in top spot, tonights result is as important to us as it is to Athletics. Finish second in the table and we could be in all sorts of trouble. You may have to beat the best to win it but I'd prefer to be confronted with that situation later rather than sooner.
ReplyDeleteI was actually at the Bridge on Saturday, in the upper tier of the East stand without getting a nose bleed, and can assure you that Rudiger didn't score (Swansea?). He was however immense at the back and confirmed my long standing belief that he should be first choice alongside Christensen and Azpilucueta. Cahill and Luiz should be used only when resting others.
Another thing I observed first hand was that Drinkwater has a good work rate but I'm not convinced he has sufficient quality for the top level.
Pity we can't fly Clattenburg back from UAE to referee this one. We could rest all our creative players, fill the side with ball winners and kick Athletico off the park without fear of a sending off. He'd never want it to be all about him would he? What a prize Pollock!
Sorry, i've no idea what a "Pollock" is, I can only assume that subconsciously I was caught between pillock and bollock. Fortunately either will suffice in this context.
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