Blues bemoan ‘abnormally low’ penalty count
LONDON: Chelsea’s tally of two penalties in 28 EPL games this season “seems abnormally low”, the runaway leaders said on Wednesday. Appearing to back up manager Jose Mourinho’s belief that there is a ‘campaign’ against his players, the Stamford Bridge outfit said on their website that the spot-kick count “unquestionably bucks the recent trend”. MADRID: Atletico Madrid stayed on course for a second straight Champions League final appearance by beating Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on Tuesday and then winning a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to reach the last eight.
Leverkusen won last month’s first leg in Germany 1-0 and a goal from Atletico midfielder Mario Suarez in the 27th minute of a finely-balanced and absorbing return match left the teams locked at 1-1 after extra time.
Both sides failed with two penalties before visiting striker Stefan Kiessling fired his side’s fifth spot kick over the crossbar to give the hosts a 3-2 shootout victory and send the fans thronging the Calderon into ecstasy.
It was Atletico’s first shootout triumph in four attempts in European competition and earned them a place in Friday’s quarterfinal draw.
“What defines us is that we are a team,” said Suarez. “We don’t care who we get in the next round. It will be one of the best and nobody will want to play us.”
INJURY WOES
Atletico were left counting the cost of their progress with three key players set for a spell on the sidelines. Goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya had to be replaced after just 23 minutes with a hamstring injury in his left leg that is expected to keep him out for a few weeks.
Mario Mandzukic was also withdrawn after suffering a twisted ankle, whilst Raul Garcia has had his left arm put in a brace due to an elbow injury.
The club confirmed all three injuries without stating how long each player is expected to be out for on Wednesday, however all three are unlikely to feature at home to Getafe on Saturday. Atletico sit fourth in La Liga, nine points behind leaders Barcelona, with 11 games remaining.
AFP Total attempts yellow cards Raul Garcia Griezmann Suarez Torres
Koke Calhanoglu Rolfes Toprak Castro Kiessling Atletico 1 Leverkusen 0 Mario Suarez 27
1-1 on aggregate; Atletico win on penalties Total attempts on target yellow cards Monaco 0 on target corners offsides corners Offsides 45 7 3 2 1 6 0 25 286 61
16 7 5 2 1 0 11 636 Arsenal 2 Giroud 36 Ramsey 79 3-3 on aggregate; Monaco win on away goals rule