Atletico braced for counter-punching Chelsea

 Atletico Madrid will expect another exhibition of ultra-disciplinedcounter-punching from Chelsea when the teams reconvene for the second leg oftheir Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.Chelsea emerged from last week's first leg with a 0-0 draw after a cautious displayin which they enjoyed only 38 percent of possession and mustered five attempts atgoal to Atletico's 26.Jose Mourinho's side were at it again on Sunday, relaunching their Premier Leaguetitle bid with a 2-0 success at leaders Liverpool after again surrendering possessionand playing on the counter-attack.Chelsea's approach was criticised by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whodismissively described their tactics as "not difficult to coach", but it was effective, and Atletico will be braced for more of the same.Chelsea's form has oscillated wildly in recent weeks, with performances such as thevictory at Liverpool, a 6-0 demolition of Arsenal and the 2-0 defeat of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg interspersed with shocklosses to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.While Chelsea's title destiny is not in their own hands, as they need both Liverpooland Manchester City to drop points, full-back Cesar Azpilicueta believes thatSunday's win at Anfield was ideal preparation for Wednesday's assignment."This victory has given us a lot of confidence to go into the match with Atletico," theSpaniard told British newspaper the London Evening Standard."We had a lot of difficulties (before the game at Liverpool). We had players missingand have the match of our lives to come on Wednesday."But we played well and showed how strong our squad is. It's an achievement fromeveryone."After the Atletico game, we'll see about the title. We have two more games in theleague against Norwich and Cardiff, but all our attention is on Wednesday."- History beckons for Mourinho -Mourinho has declared that Chelsea do not have a chance of winning the league,but he stands on the brink of history in Europe.Success in the May 24 final in Lisbon would make the 51-year-old Portuguese thefirst manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, and fewcoaches thrive on the tactical duels in Europe's elite competition like he does.He will also be motivated by the desire to avenge his loss to Diego Simeone'sAtletico in last season's Copa del Rey final, which brought his third and final seasonat Real Madrid to a trophyless conclusion.Atletico are unbeaten in this season's Champions League, however, and having preserved their four-point lead in La Liga by winning 1-0 at Valencia on Sunday,they, too, have a trophy double in their sights.Complicating matters for Chelsea is the fact that Mourinho must select from adepleted squad, with midfielders Frank Lampard and John Mikel Obi suspended andinjury concerns affecting several key players. Goalkeeper Petr Cech has been ruled out after dislocating his shoulder in the firstleg, so Mark Schwarzer will continue to deputise, and striker Samuel Eto'o isdoubtful with a knee injury.Mourinho says that John Terry has "a chance" of playing after sustaining a footinjury at the Vicente Calderon, while Chelsea are hopeful that newly crownedProfessional Footballers' Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year Eden Hazardwill be fit after a calf problem.Simeone has played down the potential impact of Chelsea's selection issues and isalso unconvinced that his side's run of nine straight league wins will prove a factorat Stamford Bridge."The league has nothing to do with the Champions League," said the Argentine, whois bidding to become the first coach to lead Atletico to a European Cup final since1974."Chelsea have a great team, one that could be rotated and still win 2-0 at Liverpool.We know we are facing a very strong team and one that will give us a lot ofproblems."Atletico will be without captain Gabi due to suspension, with former Chelseamidfielder Tiago Mendes expected to take his place, but Simeone otherwise has afull squad to choose from. Source: AFP