Chelsea evens for final after semi stalemate
CHELSEA remain evens to reach the Champions League final after grinding out a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final away to Atletico Madrid.
In contrast to the Real v Bayern semi a low-scoring contest was expected at the Vicente Calderon – under 2.5 goals had been on offer at just 8-15, while a 0-0 scoreline was a 7-1 shot.
And so it proved, with few chances for either side in a typical, spoiling performance from Jose Mourinho’s men.
Chelsea were forced to substitute goalkeeper Petr Cech early in the first half with a suspected dislocated shoulder, so Mark Schwarzer took the gloves and produced a steady display.
Blues captain John Terry added to the injury problems when he limped off after the break, while Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel, plus Atletico’s Gabi, will miss the second leg after picking up yellow cards.
Atletico have recorded 19 clean sheets in La Liga this season and the Blues never looked likely to score an away goal with keeper Thibaut Courtois, on-loan to Atletico from Chelsea, rarely called into action.