Atletico Madrid 0-1 Chelsea: Participant rankings as Giroud overhead kick provides Blues victory

An even searching overhead kick from Olivier Giroud gave Chelsea a 1-0 away grab over Atletico Madrid within the first leg of the pair’s Champions League spherical of 16 tie.

The first half of changed into once a tepid affair with Atletico withdrawing staunch into a six-man low block whenever they had been out of possession. Chelsea did absorb some good fortune breaking them down but it changed into once Los Rojiblancos who seemed more of a menace on the counter.

Upright after the hour note, Giroud opened the scoring in unbelievable vogue. Latching onto a bouncing ball within the box, the Frenchman produced a checklist perfect overhead kick which factual snuck past the outstretch hands of Jan Oblak. The arrangement changed into once first of all ruled out for offside, but changed into once overturned after a lengthy VAR overview.

Oh my, Olivier Giroud! ?

He factual loves scoring worldies, does not he!?

VAR first of all ruled the arrangement out but it stands as Mario Hermoso changed into once deemed to absorb deflected the ball onto the Frenchman ? pic.twitter.com/CAweQ8SzAR

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 23, 2021

There changed into once no gradual rally from Atletico, which skill the Blues are favourites to growth to the quarter finals when the 2 facets meet for the 2d leg on 17 March at Stamford Bridge.

Here are your Atletico and Chelsea player rankings from the Spanish capital…

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

FBL-EUR-C1-ATLETICO-CHELSEA — Atletico defended effectively from corners | DANIEL MIHAILESCU/Getty Photos

Jan Oblak (GK) – 6/10 – Little he also can attain to protect Giroud’s unbelievable effort out. Kicking also can had been greater.

Felipe (CB) – 6/10 –

Rose excessive to total about a necessary headed clearances. He barely touched the ball though.

Stefan Savic (CB) – 7/10 –

Basically the most assertive of Atletico’s central defenders. He stepped out of the backline to know Werner and Giroud effectively on a lot of instances.

Mario Hermoso (CB) – 7/10 –

His passing changed into once discontinuance to perfect. He did no longer misplace a single long differ cross all evening.

Marcos Llorente (RWB) – 5/10 – Stuffed in for the suspended Kieran Trippier’s once again. One misplaced cross within the 2d half of will absorb skittish his supervisor and in his try to recover he changed into once cautioned for fouling Werner.

Koke (CM) – 5/10 –

He broke up the game effectively at instances but changed into once slightly uninspiring in possession.

Saul Niguez (CM) – 6/10 –

A right harmful presence in midfield. He racked up four tackles and a pair of interceptions besides.

Thomas Lemar (LWB) – 5/10 –

Came discontinuance to opening the scoring within the first half of, factual mistiming his creep to the inspire submit by a portion. Diverse than that he changed into once light.

3. Forwards

Angel Correa (RW) – 5/10 – A ‘forward’ in title totally. He spent the massive majority of the game as a 2d stout-inspire and chipped in with some tackles and blocks.

Luis Suarez (ST) – 7/10 –

Spectacular. He inclined his wiliness and guile to reason Chelsea’s centre-backs some concerns.

Joao Felix (LW) – 5/10 –

Miscued a bicycle kick try when he doubtlessly must absorb factual taken it down. Struggled to procure within the game.

Chelsea rankings

Edouard Mendy (GK) – 5/10 – His woeful first contact virtually gifted Atletico a arrangement within the gap exchanges. Settled down after that, but did no longer absorb great to attain.

Cesar Azpilicueta (CB) – 7/10 –

Just a few shaky moments early on but recovered effectively. Dominant within the air.

Andreas Christensen (CB) – 7/10 –

Had about a feisty duels with Suarez. Made one impressive address on the quit.

Antonio Rudiger (CB) – 7/10 –

One first half of miscue aside, he did effectively. The German played out from the inspire seamlessly, totally misplacing seven passes all recreation.

6. Flee Backs & Midfielders

Callum Hudson-Odoi (RWB) – 7/10 – Caused Lemar all forms of concerns with his tireless runs down the factual-hand facet. Transport changed into once no longer outrageous either and he defended diligently.

Jorginho (CM) – 7/10 –

Some of his crossfield passes had been a joy to glance. Saved possession when he had to. Unfortunately picked up a yellow, which skill he’s going to cross over the following leg.

Mateo Kovacic (CM) – 7/10 –

Saved Chelsea ticking over with his mesmeric short passing. Furthermore displayed his imaginative and prescient at instances.

Marcos Alonso (LWB) – 7/10 –

His renaissance persevered. Alonso overlapped enthusiastically all evening and his unpleasant resulted in the arrangement.

Mason Mount (RW) – 7/10 – One of many main sources of Chelsea’s creativity. He changed into once central to the full Blues’ brightest moments. A right disgrace he’s going to cross over the 2d leg after selecting up a yellow.

Olivier Giroud (ST) – 8/10 –

What. A. Goal. With the exception of his luxurious overhead, Giroud also chipped in with some dapper passes and disciplined pressing.

Timo Werner (LW) – 7/10 –

Some in reality encouraging moments. He changed into once concerned in some lightning fleet exchanges on the edge of the box which helped him trek within the inspire of the defence.