Chelsea 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Atletico Out of form?

What a match! What a complete football experience! In the first half, when Real Madrid were leading 1-0, I wasn’t sure if the match would the other way. But the second half saw hour goals scored, sadly for Madrid, only one of them from their side.

Milan was looking to continue to their disappointing run but they played some superb football in the second half. Milan was playing like how a good Italian team would, while Madrid were a bit hasty and impatient. It was also a match of goalkeeping errors.

I have never rated Dida. I strongly feel he is the weakest of all first choice keepers that play for the top top teams. He just proved it last night once again. The way Dida slipped the ball for Raul to score, was downright schoolboyish, allowing the ball to bounce of his knee and all that.

Credit to Raul as he kinda expected Dida to slip the ball (may be even he doesn’t rate Dida) and rounded him off to finish smartly. Pirlo from 35 yards. Casillas could have done better but Pirlo surprised him. Pato’s smart movement and Casillas’ mistake while charging forward meant they go ahead 2-1.  That finish by Pato was exquisite. What a talent!

Drenthe’s equaliser reminded me of my tactic in Pro Evo. From the corner, you scoop it up to the man near the D, who blasts it in. The winning goal from Milan was the worst piece of defence you could see all year.

While the whole of Madrid defence and more were simply watching Seedorf who was in the edge of the box, no one cared to see where Pato was. Marcelo completely forgot his duties and once Seedorf crossed the ball, you could see the whole Madrid bunch turning the other side and to see to their shock horror an unmarked Pato volleying it in. Madrid created more chances but Milan were more efficient and did deserve their win.

As you’ve figured out by now, I didn’t get to see the Chelsea match. So I can’t write my "well-researched, insightful and in-depth match analysis." Two defeats in the last three premier league matches and the win was against struggling top team who have lost four out of their nine matches. Murmurs of Chelsea’s form slipping and the average age showing up. And this happens.

Three wins in three matches in champions league. I can now safely say that we’ve seen through Drogba’s suspension. Beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 in a champions league match is a fantastic result. Though Atletico is not really flying high they have some very good players in Aguerro, Forlan, Simao, Maxi etc. Any team that this set of players must be respected.

And soak it up guys! It’s Salomon Kalou who got a brace, weeks after signing his new deal. I know that he must have scored four goals but give it to him. He scores goals. Knock him down how much even you can. He’s got numbers to show.

Kalou certainly enjoys playing as the striker and gets into positions very well. What does by getting to those positions is another discussion. He has the instincts of a striker is what I’m trying to say. The first goal was a beauty.

The out-of-form Lampard started it all with a very in-form move. Lampard did a Ronaldinho-like "no-look" pass with immaculate accuracy and Ballack was so aware of the situation that he let Ashley Cole pick it up for a low cross and there was Kalou. I was pretty happy with his second goal. Coming from a set-piece wrecked weekend, to score from a corner for a change, was very pleasing.

Lampard scores! His first Chelsea goal since August! Thought it appeared to be a weak shot from outside the box, it was placed perfectly well to keep it outside the reach of the keeper. He had a good match, Frank Lampard. The match was oer even before Lampard got the third but Perea’s brilliant header completed a fine champions league evening for Chelsea.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool – They all lost at home in this champions league match day. While it was fun watching them lose, I certainly did not want us to have a repeat of last year where only the second half of the last match confirmed our progress to the next round.

Nothing of that sort this time. We’ll win the next match and let the likes of Sturridge etc to get some match time. All focus back to the premier league. Blackburn at the Bridge this weekend. Not sure if I can watch it and report it. A family event could keep me restricted to mobile tracking of the live game. Let’s see!