The first leg of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final with Atletico Madrid set up an intriguing decider after a tense 0-0 draw.
In a match of few chances, Chelsea had an unexpected setback when Petr Cech fell awkwardly under the challenge of Raul Garcia.
Having dislocated his shoulder, he was substituted for Mark Schwarzer, who impressed throughout. Schwarzer will now play out the remainder of the season, including the weekend’s crucial Premier League game against Liverpool, after Jose Mourinho confirmed the injury had ended Cech’s campaign.
Frank Lampard’s lunge on Arda Turan saw him booked and suspended for the return game. John Obi Mikel and Atletico’s Gabi were also booked, and also suspended.
John Terry was subbed after injuring his foot in an innocuous clash with Diego Costa and he, like Cech, willl miss the rest of the Premier League season, although Mourinho expects the defender to be fit again to play in the final, should Chelsea get that far. With Eden Hazard also out, Chelsea’s squad is being stretched to its limit.
It was a well earned draw for Chelsea, but the fact remains that they are vulnerable to the away goals rule, having failed to score tonight.