Champions League Preview: Chelsea - Atletico Madrid

 

Murmurs escalated around Stamford Bridge over the summer surrounding the future of Sergio Aguero, with some quarters claiming the Argentinean magician would be decorated the west London ground this season.

Many claimed a deal had been in place, John Terry even reportedly received assurances the club's ambitions matched his own in the transfer market, yet the final t's were never crossed, and the i's never dotted.

The rumours, though, were perhaps substantiated, as Aguero could well be lighting up west London on Wednesday evening, albeit in a different kit.

Former Manchester United forward Diego Forlan is also expected to make his return following a temporary absence from the first-team. Should the Uruguayan hotshot feature then he will feel he needs to right a few wrongs having failed to establish himself in the Premier League.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be wary of the attacking prowess posed by Atleti. They have been working on defensive drills in training.

Midfielder Michael Ballack is quoted by the BBC as saying: "We trained on Monday, especially on set-piece situations but it's all about individual mistakes and that can happen in football. It shouldn't happen but that's what we have to improve."


FORM GUIDE

Chelsea

Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
APOEL 0-1 Chelsea
Wigan Athletic 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-0 Queens Park Rangers

Atletico Madrid

Osasuna 3-0 Atletico
Atletico 2-1 Real Zaragoza
FC Porto 2-0 Atletico
Valencia 2-2 Atletico
Atletico 2-2 Almeria


TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Certain absentees from the Blues line-up include Jose Bosingwa - recently ruled out due to a knee injury.

Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel sustained foot injuries, and will face late fitness tests to assess their availability.

Brazilian defender Alex is also a doubt due to a groin strain.

Powerfully-framed striker Didier Drogba will serve the last of his three-game suspension.

Last starting XI (v Aston Villa 4-3-2-1): Cech, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Deco, Drogba, Anelka.

Atletico Madrid

Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan is expected to cement his first-team return against Chelsea.

Last starting XI (v Osasuna 4-5-1): Asenjo, Lopez, Juanito, Perea, Ujfalusi, Assuncao, Santana, Rodriguez, Simao, Jurado, Aguero.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea

Much had been made of Didier Drogba's ban, and whether the club would be able to locate the goals that would guarantee their passage into the knock-out stages. Nicolas Anelka has taken full responsibility of the goal-scoring duty; he has scored once in each of Chelsea's group games so far.

Atletico Madrid

The west London outfit attempted to purchase coveted attacker Sergio Aguero in the summer window, and unveil the prized Argentinean as their "marquee" signing. The 21-year-old has maintained a solid 1:2 goals to games ratio in all competitions so far this season, and will look to show Chelsea what they missed out on.


PREDICTION

Chelsea 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Alan Dawson, Goal.com UK