CHELSEA are set to face Atletico Madrid tonight with the same three-man defence that lost 3-0 to Barcelona in 2018.
Thomas Tuchel’s men face a tough task against the LaLiga leaders in Bucharest this evening.
Chelsea are set to field the same back-three against Atletico that lost 3-0 to Barcelona in 2018Credit: Rex Features
Chelsea had a night to forget at the Nou Camp in 2018
And the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie has been made even harder after Chelsea’s star defender Thiago Silva was ruled out yet again with a hamstring injury, having looked set to return against Atletico.
It means Tuchel must decide between Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma for the central spot in his back three to stop Luis Suarez and Co.
And should Christensen get the nod, as is expected, it would see Chelsea field the same trio who shipped three goals against Suarez’s Barcelona at the Nou Camp during Antonio Conte’s second and final season.
Chelsea drew the first leg of the last-16 tie in 2018, with Willian and Lionel Messi netting in a 1-1 draw.
The match saw a negative Blues side record just 26 per cent possession, with Eden Hazard controversially fielded as Conte’s lone striker.
But things got even worse for the then-Premier League champions when they returned to the Nou Camp.
They had 44 per cent possession but Chelsea shipped three goals, including a third minute strike to Messi.
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How Chelsea could face Atletico, although Silva has now been ruled out injured
The Argentine bagged a second later on, with Ousmane Dembele also on the score sheet, condemned the Blues to a 4-1 aggregate defeat
Atletico pose a different threat tonight, with Diego Simeone’s side known for their intensity and work rate.
But with Suarez on 16 goals in just 24 games this term, Blues fans could be fearing the worst with their makeshift back line.
Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
