₦airaland Forum

BlueMann:
Odoi is now playing on the right

Unlimited22:
We're playing safe so as not to be susceptible on the counter.

Remember we have Escortinho as our DM.
And notice that both fullbacks don't push up at the same time.

Chelsea will be without defender Thiago Silva for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

However, midfielders Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic are fit again and could feature in Romania.



Atletico's injured absentees include Jose Gimenez, Sime Vrsaljko and Yannick Carrasco, while Hector Herrera recently tested positive for Covid-19.

But Luis Suarez and Joao Felix should both start for the La Liga leaders.

Kieran Trippier also misses out for the Spanish club, with the England full-back still serving a suspension for breaking betting rules.

Chelsea go into the tie unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as manager in January.

But while a switch of venue from Madrid to Bucharest due to coronavirus travel restrictions will be a "disadvantage" to Atletico, Tuchel says the game will still provide his side with a huge challenge.

"It's a big test. They're an experienced club at this level, (have) an experienced coach. Hopefully it brings out the best in us," said Tuchel.

"We'll do things our way, they'll do things their way. It's clear what you get when you play Atletico - fighting, experience, a team with a good mentality."

One player that Chelsea will need to pay particular attention to is former Liverpool and Barcelona forward Suarez.

The 34-year-old is La Liga's joint top goalscorer with former teammate Lionel Messi and Tuchel says he tried to sign the Uruguayan while he was still the Paris St-Germain boss last summer.

"He is a natural-born striker. He has the certain mentality that only strikers have," said Tuchel. "This mentality to show his will, intensity and anger to score and score and score and is never satisfied."

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
The overall head-to-head between Atletico and Chelsea in European competition is perfectly balanced, with two wins each, three draws and 11 goals each.
Atletico prevailed in their only previous Champions League knockout tie with Chelsea in the 2013-14 semi-finals (3-1 on aggregate).
Atletico have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. Meanwhile, Chelsea will attempt to progress past the round of 16 for the first time since the 2013/14 campaign (semi-finalists).
Atletico Madrid

Simeone has never lost a home match as Atletico manager in the knockout stages of the Champions League (Won nine, drawn four).
Atletico have only conceded one goal in their last 12 Champions League knockout ties at their Vicente Calderon/Wanda Metroplitano stadiums, that was against city rivals Real Madrid in May 2017 (2-1).
Atletico scored only seven goals in six games in this season's group stages, the lowest tally amongst the 16 remaining sides in the competition.
Suarez has never failed to score or deliver an assist in a Champions League campaign - this is his eighth season in the tournament. He is so far goalless and assist-less in his four games with the Madrid side in 2020/21.
Chelsea

Chelsea are the last team to beat Atletico on their own turf in European competition - it was in September 2017, Atletico's first European match at their new Wanda Metroplitano stadium (1-2).
Chelsea were trailing for a grand total of four minutes during this season's Champions League group stages, less than any other side. Also, only Manchester City (one) conceded fewer goals than the London side (two) in the group phase.
Chelsea were one of only four teams to win all three of their away games in this season's group stages, alongside Atalanta, Barcelona and Juventus; they also scored more goals on the road than any other side (10). However, their last away win in the knockout stages of the competition dates back to March 2012 against Benfica (1-0).
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud found the net every 28 minutes in the Champions League group stages this season (five goals in 142 minutes), the best ratio of any player to score more than one goal.
Of keepers to play at least three Champions League games this season, Chelsea's Edouard Mendy has the best save percentage in the competition (94%), only conceding from one of the 16 shots on target he has faced so far.

bigkesh:
Bro, everything is going well over here.
I hope you are good

thorrvik55:
Mendy on Chelsea’s long heritage of African greats:

“Most of the biggest African talent has played for this team. Drogba, Essien, Eto’o, Mikel. When you see that, you want to continue it."

He seriously mentioned Mikel as one of Africa's biggest talent but forgot Celestine Babayaro played for Chelsea

bigkesh:
Can't believe I missed the banter the Chelsea vs Bayern tie must have generated.

Ramdueter probably ran riot on this thread.

Abeg who get the page make I laugh?

Nezzjnr:
Why is no one here Pushing for Brandon Williams to be sold at a buy back clause or loaned out

Truth be told... That guy is shiit

Since when did we start rating average players

Skimpledawg:
Can't our wingers stay fit like Mané and Salah?


Which kind wahala be this

pamcode:
Jimenez finishing has been shocking men.

Amoto94:
Leaked documents involving about $2tn of transactions have revealed how some of the world's biggest banks have allowed criminals to move dirty money around the world. cc Donjazet, Ibime

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-54226107?

iamoyindamola:
Village people at work
Egan red card -2
Lunstram missed penalty -2
Make Una no hold me I wan cry abeg

Layiwoo:
Sterling owners didnt gnash teeth last season IMHO when he scored a brace thou

biomustry:
I'm happier bro, Kane and Son in my team and I decided to change them just one minute before the deadline yesterday, but I missed. Glad

nitrogen:
Oya, one more. We can manage a draw, abeg.