Tribal Football
·23 February 2021
Tribal Football
·23 February 2021
A spectacular bicycle kick Olivier Giroud has given Chelsea a 1-0 advantage in their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.
The Blues now have a valuable away goal heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks time.
Atleti's 'home' leg had to be played in Bucharest, Romania due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Marcos Alonso and Mason Mount both had shots saved by Atleti keeper Jan Oblak.
But it was Chelsea's defensive work which was the most impressive factor in the game.
A back three of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta worked hard to ensure Luis Suarez and Atleti would have a single shot on target for the match.
With 22 minutes remaining, a moment of pure genius from Giroud gave Chelsea the lead.
The goal was originally ruled out for offside, but after a lengthy VAR delay, it was clear that the ball which set-up Giroud's strike had come off Mario Hermoso.
The teams will meet again for the second in west London on March 17.