Giroud goes head over heels
Chelsea stun Atletico with a sublime goal to take advantage
OLIVIER GIROUD scored a spectacular winner as Chelsea put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Frenchman struck with an overhead kick midway through the second half to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a crucial ‘away’ goal as he outwitted Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in a cagey contest. Atletico thought they had been saved by the assistant referee’s offside flag but VAR awarded the goal.
It means Chelsea take a big advantage into the second leg at Stamford Bridge on March 17.
IT WAS not an entirely new trick for old dog Olivier Giroud, but his bicycle kick winner was exactly what Chelsea needed.
The France international has produced similar before, but his spectacular winner – ratified by VAR after what seemed an age – could just be the making of Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea era.
Generally, the German has decided to give youth its head and there is no better education to be had than in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Callum Hudson-Odoi learned that a ticking off in front of his mates was nothing more than that, and was returned to the starting line-up as if Saturday’s substitution had not happened at Southampton.
Mason Mount perhaps learned that occasionally it is wise to cap his exuberance – going into the book within 37 seconds to put him on eggshells for the rest of the match and rule him out of the second leg straight away. But most of all they had to learn to be patient. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone at times made no bones about stringing six across the back – presumably an easier tactic to get away with in a “home” tie contested in an empty stadium 2,000 miles away from base due to Covid restrictions.
He was happy to wait for the sort of gift Chelsea nearly gave them after just two minutes.
Thankfully for the Premier League side, Edouard Mendy had the presence of mind not to go through with a lunging challenge after a poor first touch sent the ball spinning straight to Joao Felix. As it was, Antonio Rudiger was on hand to tidy up.
On the break Luis Suarez beat two defenders, and came within an inch or two of teeing up Thomas Lemar at the far post.
But the impetus was on Chelsea to force the issue. Hudson-Odoi was nearly picked out by Jorginho at the far post in the 37th minute.
Two minutes later, the Premier League side carved out their best chance of the first half, Mount’s nutmeg pass finding Timo Werner, whose fierce shot needed to be something special if it was ever going to catch out Jan Oblak at his near post.
A bicycle kick from Felix in the second half showed the Spaniards were still interested.
And they were winning the war of attrition as Jorginho joined Mount as a booked player who will now miss the return.
Chelsea needed that bit of magic, and what shows more wizardry than an overhead kick?
Giroud produced one from nothing 15 yards from goal in the 68th minute but the elaborate acrobatic manoeuvre started a yard beyond all the other players.
But the more amazing sleight of hand was pulled off by VAR. Close scrutiny showed that Mario Hermoso got the final touch – a deliberate attempt to play the ball, it was decided after the best part of three minutes – and it was the break The Blues needed.