Atletico 0-1 Chelsea: The one where Olivier Giroud scored goal of the season

'I'm flying high, defying gravity!'

It's funny how quickly form can take a turn in football. Not that Atletico were in particularly bad form when Chelsea traveled to Bucharest on Tuesday to face them. However when the draw was made, it felt like they were one of the most difficult teams the Blues could have faced. They completely dominated La Liga and were impenetrable at the back. Come February, their rivals have closed the gap, they had won just one of their previous four matches and had failed to keep a clean sheet in seven. The stars aligned for Thomas Tuchel's men.

The tie is far from over, but as things stand Olivier Giroud's age-defying acrobatics separate the two sides leaving it all to play for in the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Diego Simeone set up his side to smother a stuttering attack and underestimated the Frenchman's quick thinking and even quicker reflexes to fire the ball past Jan Oblak. And did it with incredible style.

Thomas Tuchel made four changes to the side that slumped their way to a draw with Southampton. Jorginho came in for N'Golo Kante, Giroud replaced Tammy Abraham to lead the line and Andreas Christensen was brought back into our lives. But it was Callum Hudson-Odoi's inclusion that had eyebrows raised. 

Not only was CHO a subbed sub at St. Mary's, but the boss questioned his attitude in the immediate aftermath having pundits and former players slam his approach. Tuchel kept to his word of continual fresh starts and tried to save face rewarded Hudson-Odoi with an opportunity to try and break down one of the fiercest defences in Europe.

Despite Chelsea showing they could be their own worst enemy in the box with Edouard Mendy playing fast and loose with what he considers to be command of his area, Atletico were limited to just one shot in the opening half. Surprising with Luis Suarez prowling around looking for trouble.

It wasn't until half way through the second half that the deadlock was finally broken in spectacular fashion. But the wait for VAR's confirmation was painful. Olivier Giroud's bicycle kick deserved to be celebrated. Immediately and passionately. Nearly three minutes passed before the VAR referee realised the ball did not come off Mason Mount but was a shockingly bad attempt by the defender to play the ball - deeming our forward not in an offside position.

That moment summed up why VAR was brought in, but also why it kills the very best part of football. The goal likely would not have stood had it not been for the repeated reviews. However, more and more supporters and players are delaying any celebration 'just in case'. The entire point of football is that very moment. That instant of pure joy when you realise the ball has crossed the line or rifled the net. A delay even for a few seconds represses the immediate burst of emotion.

Only ever one winner here

Not to seem like I'm running Olivier Giroud's fan-club, but he is bloody brilliant. He he scored 15 goals in his last 16 starts in European competition for Chelsea. Not a bad return for a man who's been second and third choice forward for years. With his goal against Atletico Madrid, he became the first player to score at least six goals in a Champions League season for Chelsea since Didier Drogba during the 2011/12 campaign. 

Chelsea will be without Mason Mount in the second-leg after he picked up a very early yellow card. Barring injury, Luis Suarez will still be able to play despite pinching Antonio Rudiger in a pathetic wind-up attempt. I suppose we should all be pleased he's matured from biting to just pinching - but this is shocking behaviour from an actual grown man. I'm all for some mischievous baiting - but if you have to take your lead from day care, maybe you shouldn't be allowed around other grown ups.

Next up Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United. Thomas Tuchel has a spot of experience facing them... we'll leave it at that.

jb x

RESULT: Atletico 0-1 Chelsea

GOALS: Olivier Giroud 68' 

CHELSEA XI: Mendy, Hudson-Odoi, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Alonso, Jorginho, Kovacic, Grioud, Mount, Werner

STAR MAN: Olivier Giroud