Didier Drogba’s scriptwriter should take a bow. The Ivorian set about restoring his reputation in European competition after the infamous histrionics against Barcelona after the semi-final back in May, and he did so with the goals that thrust Chelsea into the knockout phase. The forward’s form this season has been impressive. His timing last night was just as impeccable.
For a while it had appeared as if Chelsea’s air of invincibility in this group had been shattered. A sluggish display from the group’s leaders had seen them fall behind to the substitute Sergio Agüero’s stunning volley midway through the second period, their first concession in the competition this season. Their rhythm had been lacking and momentum appeared to be checked, only for Atlético to slip back into sloppy ways late on, although the Argentinian did save a point at the death.
Drogba’s first was simplicity itself, a nod down and in from Florent Malouda’s excellent left-wing cross. That deflated the Spanish side’s optimism, with the forward duly bursting through two weak challenges to bear down on Sergio Asenjo. The goalkeeper saved his first attempt though Drogba tapped in the rebound.
Agüero’s wonderful free-kick a minute into stoppage time, curled gloriously into the top corner, levelled the scores and restored some pride, but the point was enough to confirm Chelsea’s qualification with two games to play. This team’s first mission has been accomplished.
Drogba’s return from the three-match ban had drawn the focus in the build-up, though there was still a decidedly low-key feel to the contest that lingered even as the more vociferous home support behind the goal at the densely packed south end of the ground bounced as one in bellowed chorus.
Both these clubs had a pre-match inkling where their Champions League aspirations lie – Chelsea in the knockout phase, Atlético in the Europa League at best – and significant domestic league games await on Sunday. Where the Londoners host Manchester United, Los Colchoneros welcome their city rivals, Real.
That might have been enough to cause fans to watch at home rather than in the banks of seats, though Atlético’s wretched form this term was perhaps a more plausible explanation. They languish in La Liga’s relegation zone and for all their impressive forward line, they lurched into this game having yet to even score in this competition.
The talismanic Agüero’s relegation to the bench was most likely with Real’s visit in mind, the new coach, Quique Sánchez Flores, instead placing his trust in a trio of forwards who have each, in turn, struggled to illuminate the Premier League. Chelsea hardly quivered in apprehension at the prospect.
Diego Forlán, inconsistent at Manchester United, rasped one early shot wide while Florent Sinama-Pongolle, stockier than in his Liverpool days, bustled around John Terry and Alex at the heart of the visitors’ defence.
José Antonio Reyes, an Arsenal “invincible” but a player whose career has meandered to the fringes since, did at least unnerve the returning Ashley Cole, a former team-mate in north London, but he grew frustrated as the game progressed. Petr Cech tipped away one fine curled attempt before Reyes’ crunched illegally into Chelsea’s left-back to prompt a booking.
By then the game had degenerated on an awkward playing surface, with passes either overhit or scuffed to fall well short of their targets. There had been occasional flashes of promise conjured by the visitors on the break, Frank Lampard fizzing one shot just wide of Asenjo’s goal after Salomon Kalou’s gallop and Drogba doing likewise on the turn.
Yet that last chance had been born of a horrendous mistake by Juanito, presenting a clearance to Malouda on the edge of the area, which was a truer indication of the vulnerability eating away at the home side.
That fragility only ever seemed one accurate attempt away from being exposed. And as if to prove as much, Asenjo reacted sluggishly from a distant Drogba free-kick, earned after Cléber Santana’s trip, with his touch flicking the shot on to a post and behind. Atlético breathed again, though Flores had recognised the warning signs and duly sent for Agüero and some much-needed urgency. Reyes’ free-kick, gathered by Cech at his near-post, hinted at promise and had the locals enthused before the substitute quickly made his mark.
Agüero is a player whom Carlo Ancelotti had admitted “all the big clubs have looked at”. More will seek out the Argentinian now, so stunning was his volley at the far post and which flew beyond the exposed Cech, even if the visitors had cause to be self-critical. Antonio López’s cross had been whipped and awkward, with Terry’s attempt to clear only finding the unmarked Aguero. It was a goal to spark the occasion, with theirs a game of catch-up thereafter.
Champions LeagueChelseaAtlético MadridDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk
