Five Talking Points from the UEFA Champions League first leg draw: Atlético Madrid 0-0 Chelsea

In a game that was dominated by both defenses, Chelsea came away with a creditable 0-0 draw and will go into the second leg, still very much in the reckoning to make it to the final. Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Torres fails to impress on his return

Torres’ form ever since he made his move to Chelsea hasn’t made for good reading. This season has also been following the same pattern but a return to his old stomping ground, a place where is still considered as a hero was supposed to bring out the best in him. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Torres looked like a man lost at sea, devoid of any support and unable to do anything other than ponder about what could have been. With his side more worried about defending than coming forward to support him, Torres was often seen alone, with just the home side’s defenders for company. And when he was given support, Torres couldn’t conjure up anything worthwhile and his return didn’t go according to the script at all.

#2 Mourinho got what he came for

The game was Mourinho all the way. His ploys of conservatism meant that Chelsea walked away with a 0-0 draw, a result from which 67% of away sides have gone through in the Champions League. Whilst the style of play wasn’t easy on the eye was designed to smother, these are the same tactics, roughly speaking, that have Chelsea trying to reach their third European final in successive seasons. One of Chelsea’s biggest strengths is their structure and organization and all Mourinho did was make use of it, even if it made for a prosaic and disjointed match. At the end of the day, whilst it wasn’t a game for the purists, it might just be one that sends Mourinho on his way towards claiming his third Champions League title with his third different side.

#3 Will key injuries and suspensions cost Chelsea the tie?

If you had given Mourinho a 0-0 draw at the start of the tie, he would have certainly taken it. After all, he came into the Calderon with only that in mind. But given the injuries and suspensions that came about over the course of the game, Mourinho would have liked an away goal to take to Stamford Bridge. Petr Cech's dislocated shoulder and John Terry’s damaged ankle would have been reason enough to worry. But, yellow cards to both Frank Lampard and Mikel John Obi meant that both are suspended for the second leg and will leave Chelsea with just Ramires as the only fit and available central midfielder. And whilst Chelsea have able replacements for both their captain and goal keeper, central midfield is now a major cause for concern, one that might well hand the initiative to Atlético.

#4 Atltico fail to make home advantage count

Whilst the Vicente Calderón might not be one of the famous European stadiums, as Chelsea found out on Tuesday night, it can be a cauldron of intimidation. Every single time a Chelsea player got on the ball, there were boo’s and whistles and the atmosphere was raucous to say the least. But Cheslea’s eight man defensive barrier proved to be too much for the home side, who were unable to penetrate and provide the home fans with something to cheer about. The fact that they didn’t concede an away goal was as important as any. And, given the injuries and suspensions to Chelsea, they still go to Stamford Bridge as slight favorites. But Simoene will be left wondering what could have been, if they had just managed to sneak in a goal and go to London with a lead.

#5 Defensive discipline made for a disjointed game

Winning the Champions League isn’t easy, just ask Sir Alex Ferguson who won just twice in his two-and-half decade reign of Manchester United. What makes it so difficult are game like this. Games which are dominated by steely-eyed defenses who give no inch. For all the talk about Torres and Costa before the game, it was actually a battle of the two best defenses in the competition so far. And whilst a 0-0 draw may not have been a feast for the TV neutral, it might well turn out to be a significant passage in the nail-biter to come at Stamford Bridge. Whoever goes through, the final is all set to be a tight affair with moments of glory clearly defined thanks to the defensive display on show.