Tuchel, Giroud 8/10 as Chelsea seize shock first-leg victory vs. Atletico Madrid

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Chelsea‘s Champions League round-of-16 match towards Atletico Madrid in Bucharest was at all times going to be a decent affair, and that is precisely the way it turned out.

It was the Blues who managed to get the foothold within the recreation, as Olivier Giroud‘s very good overhead kick within the 71st minute was given after a prolonged VAR verify, with the aim initially dominated out for offside.

They managed to see out the sport from there and take a 1-0 benefit — and an away aim — into the second leg.

Positives

Chelsea had been in a position to get loads of good possession of the ball, with Diego Simeone’s facet dropping deep for giant durations. Chelsea had the higher of the sport’s probabilities, and it’s a huge bonus that Giroud managed to get on the scoresheet. Regardless of Atletico additionally getting half-chances, there weren’t too many clear openings for the house facet, and Edouard Mendy was hardly ever labored.

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Negatives

Chelsea had been completely terrible at the start of the sport and will have simply discovered themselves a aim down throughout the first couple of minutes. A part of this was because of them giving the ball away in harmful areas. Lastly, Mason Mount and Jorginho will miss the second leg because of bookings picked up on this recreation.

Supervisor score out of 10

8 — Thomas Tuchel’s decision-making was questioned after he harshly took off Callum Hudson-Odoi within the final recreation, nevertheless it definitely will not be right here. The German’s facet got here up towards a really resolute Atletico Madrid facet and confirmed loads of self-discipline, whereas additionally bagging the aim that provides them a bonus heading into the second leg.

Participant rankings (1-10; 10 = finest. Gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)

GK Edouard Mendy, 5 — Usually regarded uncomfortable. Was let off after a poor contact two minutes in and a few of his kicking wasn’t the perfect. His shot-stopping wasn’t examined an excessive amount of.

DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 8 — Stepped up out of the backline effectively when Chelsea had the ball or when he needed to observe a house attacker dropping deep. Did a great job of holding Joao Felix quiet.

DF Andreas Christensen, 7 — Sometimes gave away foolish fouls however was disciplined and resolute in his defending.

DF Antonio Rudiger, 8 — Performed some fantastic lengthy passes and held his personal defensively, making an outstanding block shortly after Giroud’s aim — though he did have a scare when Luis Suarez dispossessed him early on. Nearly misplaced his cool with the Uruguayan.

MF Callum Hudson-Odoi, 7 — Had a captivating battle with Thomas Lemar, with the pair each doing effectively of their defensive obligations. The Londoner additionally supplied a risk going ahead.

MF Jorginho, 6 — Had loads of good concepts together with his passing, however the execution was simply off, as was the case on the events when he tried to launch Mount and Hudson-Odoi. Booked for a foul on Felix.

MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 — The Croatian put in a combative efficiency and made some good runs ahead, however his decision-making might have been barely higher at factors.

MF Marcos Alonso, 7 — There are questions over his defensive capabilities at instances, however Alonso was good in that regard. He obtained his head onto some awkward balls and remained composed in 1v1s. Offered actual high quality with a few of his crossing.

FW Mason Mount, 7 — Booked a minute in for a foul on Felix, however continued to make an affect for Chelsea. Linked the play splendidly at factors and his battling led to Giroud’s aim.

FW Olivier Giroud, 8 — Held the ball up effectively at factors however was at all times surrounded every time he had it in an honest place. Nonetheless, he made probably the most of his finest probability with an exquisite overhead kick.

FW Timo Werner, 6 — Missed an honest probability early on, however was at all times displaying for the ball and regarded very sharp in a whole lot of his play.

Substitutes

MF Hakim Ziyech, N/R — Changed Kovacic within the 74th minute and noticed his finest effort from vary blocked.

MF N’Golo Kante, N/R — Changed Mount within the 74th minute and started working breaking down Atletico’s play instantly.

DF Reece James, N/R — Got here on for Hudson-Odoi within the eightieth minute and crammed in to make it extra of a again 5 as Chelsea noticed out the sport.

MF Kai Havertz, N/R — Offered some intelligent touches in his three minutes on the pitch to assist Chelsea see out the sport.

MF Christian Pulisic, N/R — The American obtained a late run-out and was clever in his play, drawing a foul from Lemar.

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