Chelsea steamroll Atletico Madrid as they progress through to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League

Chelsea steamroll Atletico Madrid as they progress through to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea won 2-0 on the night in the second leg of their tie against Atletico Madrid to advance to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. Hakim Ziyech scored first and Emerson Palmieri applied the finishing touches.

Hakim Ziyech puts Chelsea one foot in the quarter finals

Thomas Tuchel had to make a total of five changes to his starting line up as central defender Andreas Christensen felt sick and couldn’t play. In cane Kurt Zouma alongside N’golo Kante and Matteo Kovacic. From the onset it was extremely clear that this match would be very open.

Atletico Madrid started very positively and looked to create opportunities. Renan Lodi took the first shot ok target but it didn’t bother Eduoard Mendy much. Reece James was back in the squad and Hakim Ziyech continuously looked to free him up on the right.

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Chelsea escaped a narrow penalty call from Cesar Azpillecueta in the first half. The Spanish defender played a lazy and casual pass back towards Goalkeeper Mendy but Yannick Carrasco read it early and zipped past him.

Knowing that Carrasco would reach first, Cesar Azpillecueta pulled him down at the edge of the box. Referee Daniele Orsato waves play on Bf there’s no VAR check.

Chelsea celebrate the goal


Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring for Chelsea with a blistering counterattack which left Atletico Madrid in pieces. Kai Havertz led the ball ahead to free up Timo Werner on the left. Werner then raced ahead to square it up for Hakim Ziyech. Ziyech’s shot is a loose one but still finds it’s way in.

Emerson and Chelsea sent Atletico Madrid packing

Timo Werner

Throughout the second half and in fact across the two legs, Atletico Madrid never looked to be in control of the game. The Spanish side was sloppy in possession and failed to create clear cut chances.


Stefan Savic received a straight red card after his challenge on Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger. A direct elbow into Rudiger’s chest and the referee has no hesitation in blowing the whistle.


Chelsea finally put the nail in the coffin when Emerson Palmieri scored in added time and sent Chelsea through to the last eight. N’golo Kante freed up Christian Pulisic who layed it off for Emerson who fired in with his first shot.

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