LONDON: Chelsea are making preparations to face Spanish club Atletico Madrid at home in the rematch of the last 16 of the Champions League after a goalless draw against Leeds.
Thomas Tuchel’s side missed out on third -placed Leicester City in the English Premier League (EPL) following a draw with Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Kai Havertz led Chelsea’s attacking machinery in the league, with Timo Werner and Olivier Giroud starting on the bench.
The game did not pay off when the 21-year-old striker squandered a series of opportunities to open the scoring. However Tuchel now has a milestone that is at its best fitness level ahead of the meeting with Atletico.
Mateo Kovacic will start in midfield after the Croatian was rested on a visit to Elland Road.
Chelsea will lose the services of Mason Mount and Jorginho who were suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the European tournament, meaning Kovacic will be paired with N’Golo Kante.
The Blues have a 1-0 advantage over Atletico thanks to a Giroud goal in the first leg.
A tough task awaits Diego Simeone’s Atletico at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have only conceded twice since Tuchel’s arrival in January and five times in a row have maintained a clean sheet.
