Diego Costa Hopes Chelsea FC Play Less Defensive In Second Leg
Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid told Mundo Deportivo that he hopes Chelsea FC will play a less defensive style of football in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. Manager Jose Mourinho traveled to the Estadio Vicente Calderon with his two best attacking options in Samuel Eto’o and Eden Hazard out injured so he opted for a defensive lineup and style.
Mourinho employed a midfield of Ramires, David Luiz, Frank Lampard, and John Obi Mikel to try and suffocate Diego Costa and the Atletico attack. The Blues left Madrid with a scoreless draw so it was more or less job done for them in the first leg. Costa will certainly get his wish to an extent as Chelsea will certainly look to score and win in the friendly confines of the Bridge.
Diego Costa on what he hopes Chelsea’s style will be on Wednesday:
"“I think that the game at Stamford Bridge will be a little different than the one they played in our house. I believe they have to get out more (from the area) but if they do not do it we will look for the best way to beat them because we have the potential to make something big.”"
How does that old saying go, be careful what you wish for because it might come true? Well in Costa’s case it just might if Eden Hazard is fit and the Blues field a more attacking lineup out of necessity for the occasion. Chelsea will also be missing John Obi Mikel and Lampard due to yellow card accumulation so they have few options for a defensive central midfield pairing.
Some have suggested the Ramires and David Luiz will feature there but that remains to be seen. Whatever the lineup, Chelsea will look to kill the tie off early if they can but if not then they will revert back to the disciplined defensive football they have become renowned and reviled for.
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