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Chelsea's José Mourinho draws Diego Simeone into war of attrition Chelsea and Mourinho draws Diego Simeone's Atlético into war of attrition
(35 minutes later)
If managers are judged by results, and tactics defined by outcomes, another week may be needed to choose between Diego Simeone and José Mourinho. If things do not work out at Stamford Bridge next week, there will be laments and probably excuses too. So far there has been little enjoyment and few chances, which may well have been the way Mourinho wanted it: – it felt that way. The wisdom of the approach will be seen in eight days' time. As the second half progressed, some chances eventually arrived after a long wait. They were exclusively Atlético's. If managers are judged by results, and tactics defined by outcomes, another week may be needed to choose between Diego Simeone and José Mourinho. Should things not work out at Stamford Bridge there will be laments and probably excuses too, but there will be no replaying this. So far there has been little enjoyment and few chances, which at times appeared to be the way Mourinho wanted it. The wisdom of that decision is yet to be tested. Fortune plays its part too and it does not always favour the brave.
Atlético have not reached this stage of the European Cup in 40 years, while Mourinho has been here for each of the last three and eight times in all. Twice he has been here with Chelsea, who have also reached a final and won the competition without him. But this was an exercise in control and protection. The control exercised was not always total but 0-0 is a result that both managers will feel gives them an advantage. Simeone perhaps less so; he was more intent in changing it. "It was the game of our lives and now the game of our lives will be played at Stamford Bridge," Mourinho said but the potential significance of away goals, now attainable only for Atlético, prompted Simeone to respond: "You have to be careful what you say and what you write."
Diego Costa had a last-minute chance that would have brought greater sense or scorn to the approaches of the two managers. Simeone's changes spoke of a man seeking goals; Mourinho's were imposed upon him, although John Terry for André Schürrle was more attacking than what went before. Simeone expected a tight game decided by "details"‚ Atlético sought them, Chelsea avoided them, defending deep, breaking up the flow. In doing so, Atlético felt that they had an ally in the referee, Jonas Eriksson. For Atlético, associated with counter-attacking, this was a role-reversal. Fortune plays a part too and it does not always favour the brave. There was certainly satisfaction for the Chelsea manager, even if he did insist: "We didn't play for 0‑0 but the game goes in a certain direction where you feel that you have to be safe, don't concede, and try to score in the few chances you have." Asked when he reached that conclusion, he said: "Fifteen or 20 minutes into the second half, after the injury to John [Terry]." It felt like that conclusion had been reached sooner, although the better chances did arrive as the second half progressed. They were Atlético's.
Simeone had insisted that Mourinho was the better manager. Mourinho said he could not agree but implied that he might in fact. There could be no comparison between the two coaches given the length of their careers, when one of them had been a manager for over a decade and the other ... had not. Perhaps, though, experience is over-rated. Simeone's starting XI implied as much; David Villa and Tiago Mendes are the only ones who have played a European Cup semi-final. Neither started. Instead, Diego Ribas joined Diego Costa up front in a familiar 4-4-1-1. Atlético have not reached this stage of the European Cup in 40 years, while Mourinho has been here for each of the last three and eight times in all, going through twice. Twice he has been here with Chelsea, who have also reached a final and won the competition without him. But this was an exercise in control and protection. The control exercised was not always absolute but 0-0 is a result both managers may consider advantageous. Simeone perhaps less so, as he was more intent to avoid it, admitting: "We sought out alternatives to score."
For Chelsea, Mourinho chose Fernando Torres. He may have reasoned that Torres would be especially motivated. And if not, well, Samuel Eto'o was out. But Torres barely saw the ball. Alongside Torres were Ramires and Willian. That was the theory, at least. It looked more like a 4-1-4-1, with Torres leading counter-attacks. Behind him were Ramires, David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Willian, and behind them John Obi Mikel. A long, long way behind him. More like a 4-1-4...... 1 formation. The key responsibility for Ramires and Willian was to follow Atlético's full-backs Filipe Luís and Juanfran. Neither Oscar nor Schürrle were included, even in the absence of Eden Hazard and Eto'o. Diego Costa had a late chance that would have brought greater sense or scorn to the managers' approaches, while Chelsea had a late free-kick. Simeone expected a tight game decided by "details", which his side sought and Chelsea avoided, defending deep, breaking up the flow. In doing so, Atlético felt that they had an ally in the referee, Jonas Eriksson. The ball was in play for only 54 minutes of the 96. For Atlético, associated with counter-attacking, this was a role-reversal. "This is the only time they have played at home looking for the win," Mourinho said.
Much had been made of the similarities of the managers and their sides, despite the gigantic difference in budget: Chelsea's starting lineup cost £168m in transfer fees, Atlético's under £35m. Simeone, an admirer of Mourinho, noted that they have the best defensive records in their leagues, compact teams, strong from set plays, counter-attacking teams. When it was put to captain Gabi that Chelsea might give Atlético the ball, he joked: "We'll give it back." He had chosen Fernando Torres, perhaps reasoning that he would be especially motivated. And if not, well, Samuel Eto'o was out. Yet the former Atlético 'Kid' barely saw the ball. Alongside Torres were Ramires and Willian. That was the theory, at least. It looked more like a 4‑1‑4‑1. Behind Torres were Ramires, David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Willian, and behind them Mikel John Obi. A long, long way behind him. More like a 4‑1‑4… 1 formation.
Only half of that prediction came true. Atlético were cautious but carried the game. Chelsea waited deep, very deep, enjoying (if that is the word, which it probably is not) only 35% of possession. Atlético approached from wide balls delivered into the box. From one, a corner, the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, had to be withdrawn injured after Raúl García clattered into him, pushed by David Luiz. There were shots from the edge of the area too. The key responsibility for Ramires and Willian was to follow Atlético's full-backs, Filipe Luís and Juanfran. Neither Oscar nor André Schürrle were included, even in the absence of Eden Hazard and Eto'o.
Mourinho has an ability to read a game and make decisive changes but here he had no choice. When Mark Schwarzer came on Atlético's fans chanted the name of Thibaut Courtois. The pattern did not change and the truth was that it was not much fun to watch. Park the bus, nineteenth-century football: take your pick. The line that divides genius from fool is success, of course. At half-time it was still 0-0, which was probably the aim. Chelsea had taken zero shots on target, only one overall. Much had been made of the similarities of the managers and their sides, despite the gigantic difference in budget: Chelsea's starting lineup cost £168m in transfer fees, Atlético's under £35m. Simeone, an admirer of Mourinho, noted that the two have the best defensive records in their leagues, compact teams, strong from set-plays, counter-attacking teams. When it was put to captain Gabi that Chelsea might give Atlético the ball, he joked: "We'll give it back."
But then Atlético's stats read only one on target, nine in all. The second half began with David Luiz down and the stretcher coming on. Simeone was unimpressed and unconvinced. Mourinho sat cross-legged in silence just in front of the bench. The game continued to head in only one direction and with increasing insistence. Headers flew over, shots were blocked, but truly clear chances did not materialise. Atlético can try again next week, if they want to, but a different Chelsea may await in London. Only half of that prediction came true. Atlético were cautious but carried most of the game. Chelsea waited deep, very deep, enjoying only 38% of possession.
Atlético shot from the edge of the area and approached from wide balls delivered into the box. From one, a corner, the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, had to be withdrawn injured after Raúl García clattered into him, pushed by David Luiz.
Mourinho has an ability to read a game and make decisive changes but here he had no choice. When Mark Schwarzer came on for Cech, Atlético's fans chanted the name of Thibaut Courtois; Mourinho noted that the substitute did not have to be man of the match. The pattern did not change and the truth was that it was not much fun to watch. Park the bus, 19th-century football: take your pick. Jack Sullivan chose the latter through Twitter. "You don't want the manager of Chelsea FC responding to the son of the owner of West Ham," Mourinho replied.
The line that divides genius from fool is success, of course. At half-time it was still 0-0, which was probably the aim. Chelsea had taken zero shots on target, only one overall. But then Atlético's stats read only one on target, nine in all. By the end, that count read 27‑5, 10‑2 on target. And, crucially, it also read 0-0 still.
The second half had begun with David Luiz down and the stretcher coming on. Simeone was unimpressed and unconvinced. Mourinho sat quietly in front of the bench. The game continued to head in only one direction and with increasing insistence. Headers flew over, shots were blocked, opportunities arose, but truly clear chances did not materialise. Atlético can try again next week, if they want to, but a different Chelsea may await in London.≠