Another big European occasion at the bridge will commence this Wednesday evening when Chelsea lead by “the special one” match up with “Los Rojiblancos” (The Red-and-Whites). Atletico lead by the fiery Argentine manager Diego Simeone, will have been disappointed with their performance last week after dominating the game but failing to create any clear cut chances. Mourinho has been heavily criticised by some for “parking the bus” last week. Although the blues managed to stop Atletico from scoring last week they came away without the vital goal that could prove costly. So another European night that promises to delight; the game stands on a knife edge.

Chelsea will go into the fixture buoyed by the away win at title rivals Liverpool where another defensive display from “the special one”, with an apparent 2nd string eleven snatched all three points to setup a great finish to the season. Now they look to do the same in Europe and for Mourinho a personal ambition to win the Champions League for a third time is within reach. Although, at home it is likely the Portuguese man will setup defensively and look for a goal on the break. However, if Atletico get the away goal Chelsea must respond so he has to get his tactics right, he so rarely gets it wrong.

Atletico also will head into the game on a positive note after a vital win away at Valencia 0-1, this keeps them atop of La Liga by four points and are now nailed on favourites to seal the title. A great achievement in a league that has been dominated by their Madrid counterparts and Barcelona and have a great chance to do a famous double for the Atletico side. Simeone has done a great job. Although top of La Liga they have been somewhat underestimated and failed to impress last Tuesday, but come Wednesday they could prove a huge threat to Chelsea’s European ambitions.

Team News – Chelsea FC

Chelsea have been thin on numbers recently, but will welcome back the vital trio of Captain John Terry (ankle), Eden Hazard (calf) and Samuel Eto’o (knee) who are all expected to be fit. Hazard in particular could hold the key to the match after being sorely missed last week, when Chelsea lack and attacking impetuous.

Petr Cech has been training with the squad after returning to training, however it is being claimed by some as a diversion tactic with many expecting Mark Schwarzer to play with Cech not being match fit. Another tough choice could be who plays upfront with recent impressive displays from Demba Ba threatening Eto’o’s place.

Ivanovic will be pushed out to right-back with Azpilicueta at left-back meaning Ashley Cole looks set to miss out. Other players Lampard and Mikel (suspended) and Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah (ineligible) will also miss out.

Predicted XI: Mark Schwarzer, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry (C), Cezar Azpilicueta, Ramires, David Luiz, William, Oscar, Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o

Team News – Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid could welcome back Turkish playmaker Arda Turan (Groin) and Turan has been speaking about his side’s belief “We believe in our ability, our dream. We believe we will reach the final” and why not? Atletico have dreamed all season and now they stand on the brink of an infamous double.

Atletico will be without Spanish midfielder and Madrid captain Gabi, who has been at the heart of the Spanish clubs recent success. Diego Costa will will be key the striker who has been linked with Chelsea has been Atletico’s top scorer this season and without his key goals they would not be in the position they are in; a constant threat someone that Chelsea will be wary of.

Predicted XI: Thibaut Courtois, Juanfran, Diego Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis, Mario Suarez, Raul Garica, Koke, Diego, David Villa, Diego Costa (C)

Manager Quotes- Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho on the return of John Terry: "I think the Champions League owes him something, Mourinho said. I think he deserves more than the Champions League has given to him till now. He lost a few semi-finals in special circumstances; he lost the final also in special circumstances. He won a final, also in special circumstances, because he couldn't play the final. My captain is playing at the same level as when I left Chelsea in 2007/08. Six or seven years later he is playing at his best level. It's fair to say that. It's also fair to say that the people that surround him are playing also fantastic. I think his partnership with (Gary) Cahill is fantastic and people that work together in the same areas they are doing a fantastic job. I'm really happy to see a player like him, six or seven years later, to be back to the same level."

Manager Quotes - Diego Simeone

Diego Simeone on Jose Mourinho's much maligned tactics: "I'm a football man, I respect different ways of setting out your team. You can play 10 at the back or you can play 10 at the front. It doesn't matter. What matters is the result. It depends what you believe is the convenient way of playing and who you're playing against. To defend well is not easy, so you have to congratulate a team that defends well. To attack well is not easy either, so you have to congratulate also a team that goes on the attack. It's important that, regardless of how you play, that the team wins, that the club wins, that the institution as a whole wins."

Match Facts

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 16 clashes with Spanish sides in the Champions League (W6 D10), with their last defeat coming against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in February 2006.

Atletico Madrid and Chelsea have met four times previously, three times in the Champions League and once in the European Super Cup; both teams have won once along with two draws.

Chelsea are unbeaten against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League (W1 D2); having met in the 2009/10 Group Stages before their 0-0 draw in the first leg of this tie.

Atletico have travelled to England nine times previously in European competition (excluding qualifiers); winning only once (at Leicester City in September 1997, D4 L4).

Atletico Madrid have reached the semi-finals of the European Cup/Champions League for the first time since 1974 when they eventually lost in the final against Bayern Munich after a replay.

45% of Atletico’s goals in the Champions League this season have been scored in the opening and closing 15 minutes of games (10 out of 22).

Atletico Madrid are the only team unbeaten in the Champions League this season (eight wins, three draws).

Chelsea have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the seventh time since 2003/04, the joint-highest tally with Barcelona in that time.

Chelsea have only lost one of their last 11 Champions League matches in the knockout stages (1-3 v PSG in this season’s quarter finals first leg).

61% of Chelsea’s goals in the Champions League this season have been scored in the first-half (11 out of 18).

86% of goals conceded by Chelsea in the Champions League this season have come in the second-half (6 out of 7).

Diego Costa has scored seven goals in seven Champions League games (one assist).

This is the eighth time in 10 full seasons as manager that José Mourinho has reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. It’s the third time with Chelsea after 2005 and 2007; however, he’s never made it to the final with the Blues.

Chelsea have never lost a semi-final leg in any European competition at home (W8 D4; in any of Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners Cup and Fairs Cup).

Chelsea have won their last five Champions League knockout matches at Stamford Bridge, keeping a clean sheet in the last three of these.

Chelsea managed just five shots (inc. blocked) in the first leg. They have only attempted fewer in one CL game this season (one v Basle on 26/11/2013).

(Source: Eurosport)

So who will win? Will Mourinho perform a master class or will Simoene’s men’s fighting spirit prevail?