Against history: Atletico need a precedent-setting reversal

Atletico Madrid are in first place in the Spanish league just before the last straight in the championship race. Barcelona and Real Madrid are not going to give up so quickly, but tonight (Wednesday) at 22:00 the Colchoneros will take a slight break from the battles in La Liga and try to make a comeback against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (1: 0 in the first game) in the league quarter-final rematch The champions.

Professionally, Diego Simeone’s side are capable of beating London 0-2, there is no doubt about that. However, history shows that in the previous seven times Atletico have lost in Europe in their first home game, they have failed to erase the backlog.

The Marca mentioned that the games took place in the Europa League, the UEFA Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup, but not in the Champions League, which may give Simeone a glimmer of hope. These are the games in which Atletico lost at home and flew after the away game.

In 1972/73 Atletico lost 4: 3 to Spartak Moscow and flew after a 1: 2 victory in the return match. In 1975/76 they lost 2: 1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt and 1: 0 away. In 1979/80 they lost 2: 1 to Dynamo Dresden and were defeated 3: 0 away.

Diego Simeone and Joao Felix. Tough task (Reuters)

In 1992/93 they lost 2: 1 at home to Parma and the 0: 1 victory in Italy was to no avail. In 1997/98 Atletico lost 1-0 at home to Lazio and finished 0-0 in Italy. In 1998/99 Parma won 1: 3 in Madrid and also in a 1: 2 rematch. The latest case was against Beavers Natcho’s Robin Kazan in 2012/13. The Russians defeated Atletico 0: 2 in Madrid, Atletico’s 0: 1 rematch was not enough.

Tuchel’s upheaval

From the other side, Chelsea will come to finish the job thanks to the small advantage that Olivier Giroud gave it with a marvelous winning goal. The Blues are trying to get their place in the Champions League through the Premier League, but at the same time will try to astonish Europe and win the Champions League for the second time.

Thomas Tuchel. The change is felt (Reuters)

Chelsea are in fourth place leading to the champions at the end of the season and will reach the game after a 0-0 draw at Leeds on Saturday. German coach Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked from Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season and replaced Frank Lampard, is still undefeated and holds a great balance.

Tuchel is unbeaten in 12 games on the Chelsea bench, during which he achieved away victories against Tottenham and Liverpool and also the same small 0: 1, the one that Atletico will try to turn tonight at Stamford Bridge.