Chelsea took on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League curtain raiser. 18 Yard Box analyse the top 5 reasons why Chelsea failed to over haul their Spanish opponents.
Having 9 points in the first three games of the EPL season, Hazard playing brilliantly all over the pitch and a scoring Fernando Torres was probably too much to handle for the European Champions. A bit too confident Chelsea arrived in Monaco taking a clinical Atletico Madrid side very lightly. The way they started the match showed it all. Midfielders showing no conviction in their passing, full backs not pushing up, a sloppy Hazard made Chelsea fans worry about the result of this game. Although Radamel Falcao made it clear early on that given the time and space, he will not be affected by the big stage yesterday night.
John Obi Mikel reached the epitome of sloppy passing in the game. Being over ambitious most of the times, he tried passes which even someone like Xabi Alonso would be shy to attempt. Failing to spot the runs of advanced midfielders, thus cutting their supply, he lost the ball to the opposition on most occasions. Usually a decent passer and a holder of the ball, he was much below the level which is expected of him.
In what was a surprise to many fans, Ivanovic’s defending was poor. He was being given a torrid time by Atletico’s midfield. Being overrun throughout the 90 minutes, there was absolutely no cover from either of Ramires or Oscar(who replaced Ramires on the 45 minute mark) which left Chelsea’s defence terribly exposed. Add to this, his poor overlapping of the wingers and poor passing made it a night to forget for the Serbian.
All Chelsea fans who watched their pairing in the Champions League Semi-Final and Final last season (and I think there will be many) will fail to understand why they looked so lost on the pitch today. Falcao gave both of them a night to forget as his little runs in between the two centre backs gave them a terrible game. They failed to coordinate and spot his runs and the Coulombian took full advantage of this scoring a memorable hat-rick in a Final.
This man has certainly got his scoring boots with him from Porto. Having taken no time to settle last year, he has set this season alight already with 6 goals to his name in all competitions. Creating a scoring opportunity with absolutely nothing, Atletico’s midfielders just have to supply him with half decent balls and hope for him to shine. And he doesn’t disappoint. With a wonderful little run behind David Luiz, he clinically chipped Petr Cech for his first of the night. His second came after Ashley Cole decided to give him a split second inside the box which allowed him to stabilise himself and release a delicious left footed drive which caught Cech off his line. His third came after brilliant work from Turan who laid in his path a wonderful ball and the rest as they say was history. So, Falcao did prove a bit too much to handle for the Chelsea defence.
Written By,
Aman Arora
Aman is an editor and writer for 18 Yard Box
Chelsea simply failed to turn up for the game
 |
| Chelsea were just not there |
Having 9 points in the first three games of the EPL season, Hazard playing brilliantly all over the pitch and a scoring Fernando Torres was probably too much to handle for the European Champions. A bit too confident Chelsea arrived in Monaco taking a clinical Atletico Madrid side very lightly. The way they started the match showed it all. Midfielders showing no conviction in their passing, full backs not pushing up, a sloppy Hazard made Chelsea fans worry about the result of this game. Although Radamel Falcao made it clear early on that given the time and space, he will not be affected by the big stage yesterday night.
Sloppy passing all over the pitch
 |
| Chelsea were outplayed in the middle of the park |
John Obi Mikel reached the epitome of sloppy passing in the game. Being over ambitious most of the times, he tried passes which even someone like Xabi Alonso would be shy to attempt. Failing to spot the runs of advanced midfielders, thus cutting their supply, he lost the ball to the opposition on most occasions. Usually a decent passer and a holder of the ball, he was much below the level which is expected of him.
Although, Lampard and Mata passed well, there was simply no
support from their fellow players as there usually is. Hazard was not give the
time and space on the ball by the Atletico defence and Chelsea might be
starting to get over dependent on the young Belgian, which is for sure too much
and indeed too soon.
Fernando Torres had a decent game. Although he just had one
shot to his name, he hardly got involved in the game and the midfielders simply
failed to give him the supply he relishes.
Ivanovic's worst nights in a
Chelsea shirt
 |
| Ivanovic had a terrible day at work |
In what was a surprise to many fans, Ivanovic’s defending was poor. He was being given a torrid time by Atletico’s midfield. Being overrun throughout the 90 minutes, there was absolutely no cover from either of Ramires or Oscar(who replaced Ramires on the 45 minute mark) which left Chelsea’s defence terribly exposed. Add to this, his poor overlapping of the wingers and poor passing made it a night to forget for the Serbian.
Cahill and Luiz failed to shine
 |
| John Terry's absence was dearly felt |
All Chelsea fans who watched their pairing in the Champions League Semi-Final and Final last season (and I think there will be many) will fail to understand why they looked so lost on the pitch today. Falcao gave both of them a night to forget as his little runs in between the two centre backs gave them a terrible game. They failed to coordinate and spot his runs and the Coulombian took full advantage of this scoring a memorable hat-rick in a Final.
The Falcao Factor
 |
| Falcao's audacious chip followed by a curler topped up by an exquisite finish sealed his hattrick |
This man has certainly got his scoring boots with him from Porto. Having taken no time to settle last year, he has set this season alight already with 6 goals to his name in all competitions. Creating a scoring opportunity with absolutely nothing, Atletico’s midfielders just have to supply him with half decent balls and hope for him to shine. And he doesn’t disappoint. With a wonderful little run behind David Luiz, he clinically chipped Petr Cech for his first of the night. His second came after Ashley Cole decided to give him a split second inside the box which allowed him to stabilise himself and release a delicious left footed drive which caught Cech off his line. His third came after brilliant work from Turan who laid in his path a wonderful ball and the rest as they say was history. So, Falcao did prove a bit too much to handle for the Chelsea defence.
Written By,
Aman Arora
Aman is an editor and writer for 18 Yard Box
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