The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid has finished goalless at Vicente Calderon this evening.
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The home side looked to take the lead early on as Koke crossed the ball in for Diego Costa, but Petr Cech came off his line to claim it before the striker could tap it in.
However, the goalkeeper was forced off just 15 minutes into the game after landing awkwardly after a collision with Raul Garcia, bringing Mark Schwarzer on in his place.
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Thibaut Courtois had to remain alert at the other end against his parent club as Gary Cahill tried to head in from a corner, but he failed to find the target.
Atletico wanted a penalty five minutes before half time when a cross intended for Costa struck the arm of Cesar Azpilicueta, but the referee did not believe that the defender's actions were intentional.
The hosts continued to pile forward late on in the opening half, but a number of blocks from Ashley Cole and John Terry prevented them from really testing the substitute keeper.
Frank Lampard forced a save from Courtois early in the second half after the La Liga leaders failed to clear from a throw-in, allowing the midfielder to unleash a volley from the edge of the area, but the Atletico keeper comfortably claimed it.
The visitors enjoyed a strong spell of possession as the hour mark approached, allowing Fernando Torres to have a shot against his former club, but he could not beat Courtois.
Jose Mourinho was forced to make his second change of the evening when Terry picked up a foot injury while defending an Atletico corner.
The home side wanted Lampard sent off with 15 minutes still to play as he appeared to handle the ball, put the referee refused to show the midfielder a second yellow card.
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Gabi went for goal from the resulting free kick, but Schwarzer watched it all the way before making the save for Chelsea.
Atletico looked to be finishing strongly as Jose Sosa sent the ball towards the back post for Garcia, but his header finished on the roof of the net.
Costa thought that he was through with just a couple of minutes still to play, but Cahill blocked his path before making the clearance.
He had another chance in stoppage time, beating the Chelsea defenders to get a clear header from Gabi's ball into the box, but he sent it straight into the hands of Schwarzer.
Chelsea will be without Lampard and John Obi Mikel for the second leg of the tie at Stamford Bridge next week because of their second-half yellow cards, while Gabi will miss out for the Spanish side.
Sian Cowper
