CHELSEA'S TACTICAL VICTORY OVER ATLETICO WAS VERY MEANINGFUL

You've got to hand it the tacticians out there.


When they get it right, it's just as beautiful to watch as an attacking team who score three or five goals.


Footballing brilliance comes in a multitude of ways.






Atletico Madrid coached by Simeone are one of the toughest teams to play. Especially when they play in front of their manic home crowd, and the fact they have been in two recent Champions League finals, shows you their pedigree.


So it wouldn't be amiss to assume Chelsea would lose or come away with a draw at best.


But Conte and his boys had other ideas.

For the whole game, Conte just got his lineup right. From defence, midfield and attack, Chelsea were better. They had Atletico figured out. And even if the match looked tight, Chelsea always felt in a better position than Atletico.


What really impressed me was how Kante and Bakayoko totally ran the midfield and made it difficult for Atletico. You didn't see them create chances and gain space in the way they did with ease against Roma.


Conte obviously studied that game and respected the great skill and intelligence of Atletico's midfielders. And he knew it was vital that he did not allow them time on the ball and got physical with them.


Which worked to perfection.


Also, Hazard was at his very best. The way he linked with Morata and really tested the defenders and ran at them, is why he is such a good player and has the potential to be one of the very best.

This what Hazard needs to do more of. He already has a tough as nails team around him. But he is the flair player. The match-winner. The one the team looks to for finding that key to unlock the toughest defence.


He needs to get that arrogance and individual mindset, because he has the talent and ability to really take over a game on his own.


Without question, this was a huge victory for Chelsea. Not only because it's against their biggest threat in the group, but the manner in which it occurred.


To come back from behind, away from home, and walk away with a win, instil huge boost of self-confidence in the team. A confidence that can spur them on to do great things in the competition.

Courtesy: Action Images via Reuters

I never really thought Chelsea would have much of an impact in the Champions League. As far as Premier League teams went, I couldn't look beyond Manchester City.


But after seeing this performance, where they have almost taken over the Atletico role in Europe now, being the pragmatic and tenacious team, I see no reason why they can't sneak into a semi-final.


Two thumbs up from Conte, who has faced critcism for how disappointing Juventus were in Europe under his tutelage. So perhaps this victory shows how he has evolved as a manager on the continent, and with one of the most in-form strikers in Europe in Alvaro...things are looking promising for Chelsea. HH