Atletico did nearly all of the attacking but were unable to break down Chelsea's packed defense and midfield in a match which was more interesting than entertaining.
A look at the starting elevens made it clear that this was to be a tactical and physical game as Eden Hazzard failed to recover from injury and Chelsea left Fernando Torres as a sole striker, while Atletico included Diego Rivas in their starting 11 along with striker Diego Costa and Raul Garcia, their midfield was based on the double pivot of Mario Suarez and Gabi Fernandez.
The first half was indeed a tactical affair in which Chelsea were quite happy to cede possession to the Spanish side, while getting virtually the entire side behind the ball and leaving Torres to plough a lone furrow up front.
The main incident of the first half saw Chelsea keeper Petr Cech forced out of the game after a collision with Garcia which caused him to fall badly and injure his elbow. 41-year-old Mark Schwarzer replaced Cech and one can only wonder what Atletico keeper, Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan from the English club, must have thought.
Cech was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder, but Schwarzer was untroubled apart from a Diego shot which went into his midriff.
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