Chelsea FC beat Atlético Madrid thanks to Olivier Giroud

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In the air: Olivier Giroud

Photo: 

STEFAN CONSTANTIN / Inquam Photos via REUTERS

Scene of the game:

Cheers broke out as the ball was in the goal after Olivier Giroud's overhead kick in the 68th minute of play.

But only briefly.

The attacker from Chelsea was so far ahead that hardly anyone was surprised at the wizard's flag raised.

And yet the hit counted.

How can that be?

A few more lines are needed to explain this, you can find them in the "

Lifted

" section.

The result of the game:

Not 0-0, which it looked like for a long time, but 1-0 for Chelsea, the round of 16 first leg against Atlético Madrid ended thanks to Giroud's brilliant goal.

The first half:

It showed that Diego can defend Simeone's allegiance when asked to do so.

Chelsea, with far more possession, looked in vain for ways through the massive defensive formation.

Atlético looked more mature, smarter, quite polished.

As a result of high pressings, Luis Suárez initiated the two best opportunities.

Once Thomas Lemar crossed a cross from the Uruguayan past the far post, and once it was Suárez himself after a one-two who didn't hit the ball properly.

Had spectators been allowed, the Atlético fans would have said on their way to the sausage stand: "There was more in there."

Safety first:

The main problem with the blues was the lack of speed;

Chelsea counterattacks were so rare that Thomas Tuchel had given a clear route: Safety first.

Second.

And third.

The second half:

had to be played, if only to see whether there were new guidelines from Tuchel or whether the offensive strike would continue.

If it wasn't, is the shortened answer.

Chelsea were the more active team, shifting the side of the game again and again, but there were still no opportunities, Diego Simeone's merciless 5-3-2 system worked for a long time.

Until the 68th minute.

Lifted off:

Giroud scored every 28 minutes in this Champions League season.

So it took the Frenchman more than twice as long against Atlético.

Chelsea came over the left side with speed, the ball sharply into the center.

Atlético defender Mario Hermoso intervened and provided the template for Giroud's air show with a failed rescue operation.

Then the flag, the whistle, the long wait.

Because Marko Fritz, the video referee, was sitting in a broadcast van in front of the stadium that Tuesday evening and sat for a long time, examined the scene from several perspectives and, to the displeasure of Simeone and Co., came to the hard but correct decision: deliberate defensive action by Hermoso, count the gate.

Venue of the game:

Romania's capital welcomed the league leaders from Spain (five hours flight), who had home rights, and the fifth-placed from the island (six hours flight).

Madrid versus London in Bucharest - it sounds so strange these days in European professional football.

Simeone has never lost a (real) home game with Atlético in the knockout phase of the royal class.

Curiously, the last team to win against Atléti as a guest was Chelsea.

Back then, however, in the group stage.

Weeks of truth:

Chelsea remain in top game mode against Manchester United and Liverpool.

Leader Atlético is waiting for an appearance at the sixth Villarreal and the derby against Real.

Both teams are facing possibly decisive games - not just in a direct duel to stay in the Champions League.

The second leg will take place on March 17th.

Then the Madrilenians have to tinker with their playing style.

They didn't have a single shot on goal on Tuesday.

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