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Chelsea's Didier Drogba - Source: Reuters -
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Chelsea, inspired by two-goal Didier Drogba, came from 1-0 down
to draw 2-2 at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday to seal a place in the
Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare.
Porto's 1-0 win at APOEL Nicosia meant the Portuguese team and
Group D leaders Chelsea both went through. Atletico, third with two
points from four games, can still claim a spot in the Europa
League.
There were few chances in the first hour at the Calderon although
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had to dive full length to palm away a
curling shot from former Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes in the
20th minute.
Drogba, back in European action after a three-match suspension,
also went close when Atletico keeper Sergio Asenjo deflected his
effort on to the post just after the break.
Atletico had not scored in this season's Champions League,
including a 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea last month, but went ahead
after 66 minutes thanks to a spectacular strike from substitute
Sergio Aguero.
John Terry's headed clearance looped up to the Argentina forward
and he smashed a volley past Cech from 15 metres.
Milestone appearance
Drogba, on his 50th Champions League appearance for the Londoners,
equalised by heading in a Florent Malouda cross in the 82nd
minute.
The Ivory Coast striker then raced through the defence to give
Chelsea the lead six minutes later, firing in at the second attempt
after Asenjo blocked his first effort.
Aguero, who had replaced the ineffective Florent Sinama Pongolle
after 54 minutes, capped a fine performance with a curling free
kick to level for Atletico in the final minute.
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said: "He (Drogba) is in very good
form at the moment, just look at how he works. He scored two goals,
did very important work and we hope he can play many more
games.
"It was a difficult match, Atletico played very well but we had
very good direction after our first goal."
Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who replaced Abel Resino at
the struggling La Liga club on October 23, said the draw would lift
his team for Sunday's match at home to city rivals Real
Madrid.
"The players have been under a lot of pressure this week and this
was an important result that sets us up for the next game," he
said.
