Chelsea’s job was half done when the referee blew his whistle two weeks ago in Bucharest. Olivier Giroud’s stunning overhead kick saw the Blues return to London with an advantage, both in terms of the scoreline and the away goal. However, Thomas Tuchel’s men know that the work is not done yet. They are facing one of the most efficient sides in Europe in Atletico Madrid and despite the away goal advantage, this remains a tie still very much in the balance.
Chelsea is attempting to advance in the Champions League knockouts for the first time in years. What would a combined XI with their opponents look like?
Both teams have an amazing array of talent at their disposal. We take the best 11 players based on legacy and form and try to construct a team out of them.
The formation of choice here is 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 since both teams have frequently lined up in a similar shape under their current coaches. Players who are injured or suspended from the tie – Mason Mount and Thiago Silva – have been left out. Here’s how the combined XI shapes up.
Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak, Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak would’ve been in Chelsea colors had things turned out differently. The Blues’ desperate search for a Thibaut Courtois’s replacement led them to the Slovenian shot-stopper, as per Goal. However, Atletico Madrid did not budge from their original valuation and the London outfit instead signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Club de Bilbao.
Chelsea’s loss continues to be Atletico’s gain with Oblak widely considered among the best goalkeepers in the world at present. The shot-stopper has been an ever-present figure in the goal for the Rojiblancos since he signed from Benfica back in 2014, coincidentally to replace the then Chelsea-bound Courtois!
Right Centerback: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Cesar Azpilicueta ticks both the ‘legacy’ and the ‘form’ boxes when it comes to this combined XI. The Spaniard has been one of the best defenders around Europe in the last half-decade, playing in several different positions.
The Chelsea captain is having another solid season this time around and has recently made the tactical switch from right-back to right centerback, without any difficulties. He has added further robustness to the backline which has conceded just twice in the last twelve games. Furthermore, his overlapping runs have added another dimension to the Blues’ attack, as was evident when he popped up in the box to score against Burnley recently.
Centerback: Jose Maria Gimenez, Atletico Madrid
Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have a good relationship. The two teams have exchanged players often in the past years. Jose Maria Gimenez could become the latest to switch Spain for England if rumours are to be believed, and one can see why.
Gimenez has had his troubles with injuries in the past. However, he is among the best central defenders in Europe in terms of ability. Still just 26 years of age, he is just entering his prime with more than 200 games to his name wearing the red and white of Atletico.
Left Centerback: Mario Hermoso, Atletico Madrid
The unheralded Mario Hermoso is not the biggest name in either squad. However, he has slowly turned into a key cog in Simeone’s mean Atleti machine, playing usually as a left centerback in a back three. His selection in the combined XI is helped by his steady form this season. Moreover, the fact that he is the only left-footed centerback in either squad also plays an important part.
Hermoso has accumulated the fifth-most minutes in the Atletico Madrid squad this season, starting 26 times across all competitions. A standout for his side, the Spaniard is part of a defensive unit that has conceded just 18 goals in the league. His consistent performances at the back have been key to his side’s ascent to the top of La Liga while he has also pitched in at the other end with a goal against Real Sociedad.