Cesar Azpilicueta wants Chelsea to stay focused despite first-leg win
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is not thinking too far after his side’s first-leg win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. (h/t Football.london)
Chelsea have the edge going into the second leg after Olivier Giroud’s emphatic goal sealed the win in Bucharest.
The Blues performed in a resolute manner, not letting Atleti play their natural game. Their good start to life under Thomas Tuchel continued as they are now 8 games unbeaten. Despite the one (away) goal advantage, Azpilicueta feels like there is still a lot of the job left.
Speaking on the first leg, Azpilicueta gave Atleti the respect given the calibre they possessed.
“That was obviously a tight game, there were not a lot of chances. We knew we had to make the most of them because they are very solid, they defend together, it is not easy. We had to defend together as a team and we did a solid team performance, but there is still a lot to do.
“They are a solid team. We know that they have quality players, that they can make a lot of chances with different solutions and when it is a Champions League last 16 we know that every chance is very important.”
Azpilicueta also talked about the second leg which is supposed to take place mid-March.
“Now we have it in our sights but there is still a lot to do and we fully believe that we are very capable of doing a good match again in the second leg. We play every game to win. We scored one away goal and it is important, we won, we didn’t concede any chances or goals. We’ve played the first leg and it’s a positive result, but we know there is lots to do and we work to improve and go through.”
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Chelsea and Azpilicueta should take heart from the fact that they kept the La Liga leaders at bay for most of the game and came away with a win. However, the Blues will likely have a tougher time doing the same in the second leg with the opposition needing that one goal.
