Bridge over troubled waters for Atletico

LONDON, (Reuters) – Two defeats in three league  matches have cut short Carlo Ancelotti’s honeymoon period as  Chelsea coach but his concerns pale into insignificance  alongside those of Atletico Madrid counterpart Abel Resino.  

Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at Aston Villa left Chelsea trailing  Manchester United by one point at the top of the Premier League  and captain John Terry stamping his feet in disapproval as the  second Villa goal went in. 

It hardly represented a crisis, however, and victory over  Atletico at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday will virtually assure  Chelsea a place in the knockout round of this season’s Champions  League.  

Resino’s Atletico though are having a torrid time and a game  at Chelsea, who are unbeaten in 19 home Champions League ties,  is hardly the easiest task to try and reverse the slump.  

Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Osasuna was their third defeat in  seven league games and they are a distant 15th in La Liga.  

“The football gods are being very unfair to us,” Resino told  reporters on Sunday. “We had a lot of chances but that’s what  happens when you are on a bad run, the ball just won’t go in the  net.” Defeat by Porto in their last Champions League outing also  left Atletico at the bottom of Group D with one point. If they  suffer another reverse in London their hopes of progressing will  be fading fast.  

Brazilian midfielder Cleber Santana says the Chelsea clash  is coming at a key moment for the club as they seek to turn  their faltering season around.  

 VITAL MATCH  

“We are facing a very difficult encounter and we have to be  at the top of our game,” he said. “It’s a vital match for us.”  

Atletico will have Diego Forlan back after the Uruguay  striker missed the Osasuna defeat because of fatigue and a  muscle problem following his midweek international exploits.  

Chelsea will again be without Didier Drogba, who is  completing his European ban for his behaviour in the semi-final  defeat by Barcelona last season.  

The loss of the Ivory Coast striker has been negated by the  form of Nicolas Anelka who has scored in both of Chelsea’s  Champions League victories this season.  

Probable teams: 

 Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 2-Branislav Ivanovic, 6-Ricardo  Carvalho, 26-John Terry, 3-Ashley Cole; 21-Salomon Kalou,  5-Michael Essien, 13-Michael Ballack, 8-Frank Lampard,  15-Florent Malouda; 39-Nicolas Anelka.  

 Atletico Madrid: 1-Sergio Asenjo; 17-Tomas Ujfalusi,  22-Pablo Ibanez, 16-Juanito, 21-Luis Perea; 11-Maxi Rodriguez,  9-Jurado, 12-Paulo Assuncao, 23-Cleber Santana, 20-Simao  Sabrosa; 7-Diego Forlan.