Another tactical battle

Chelsea captain John Terry (C) controls the ball during a training session in Cobham yesterday on the eve of their Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid. Photo: AFP

Atletico Madrid will expect another exhibition of ultra-disciplined counter-punching from Chelsea when the teams reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League semifinal at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Chelsea emerged from last week's first leg with a 0-0 draw after a cautious display in which they enjoyed only 38 percent of possession and mustered five attempts at goal to Atletico's 26.
Jose Mourinho's side were at it again on Sunday, relaunching their Premier League title bid with a 2-0 success at leaders Liverpool after again surrendering possession and playing on the counter-attack.
Chelsea's approach was criticised by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who dismissively described their tactics as "not difficult to coach", but it was effective, and Atletico will be braced for more of the same.
Chelsea's form has oscillated wildly in recent weeks, with performances such as the victory at Liverpool, a 6-0 demolition of Arsenal and the 2-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg interspersed with shock losses to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.
While Chelsea's title destiny is not in their own hands, as they need both Liverpool and Manchester City to drop points, full-back Cesar Azpilicueta believes that Sunday's win at Anfield was ideal preparation for Wednesday's assignment.
"This victory has given us a lot of confidence to go into the match with Atletico," the Spaniard told British newspaper the London Evening Standard.
"We had a lot of difficulties (before the game at Liverpool). We had players missing and have the match of our lives to come on Wednesday.
"But we played well and showed how strong our squad is. It's an achievement from everyone.
"After the Atletico game, we'll see about the title. We have two more games in the league against Norwich and Cardiff, but all our attention is on Wednesday."
Mourinho has declared that Chelsea do not have a chance of winning the league, but he stands on the brink of history in Europe.
Success in the May 24 final in Lisbon would make the 51-year-old Portuguese the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, and few coaches thrive on the tactical duels in Europe's elite competition like he does.
He will also be motivated by the desire to avenge his loss to Diego Simeone's Atletico in last season's Copa del Rey final, which brought his third and final season at Real Madrid to a trophyless conclusion.
Atletico are unbeaten in this season's Champions League.