athletico madrid 2-2

Independent:

Drogba back with a bang to power Chelsea's progress
Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2
By Mark Fleming at Estadio Vicente Calderon

Didier Drogba kept his head amid chaotic scenes here last night to single-handedly book Chelsea's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
His last sighting in Champions League action had been his foul-mouthed rant live on TV after Chelsea were eliminated at the semi-final stage by Barcelona in May. His ban served for his moment of madness, here was the other side of the Ivorian, the striker who managed to keep his cool in the most frenetic of atmospheres.
Two goals in the last eight minutes of this gripping contest were enough for Chelsea to ensure safe passage into last 16, despite a couple of cracking strikes from Sergio Agüero, the Atletico Madrid striker whose performance will only enhance his prospects of moving to the London club.
The performance of the two very different forwards had the Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti dreaming of possibly pairing them together. "I think Agüero can play with Drogba for sure," Ancelotti said. "Is Drogba the best striker in the world? I don't know but I wouldn't want to change him for any other striker."
Chelsea were outplayed for much of the match but thanks to Drogba's irresistible form in front of goal, they stole the point they needed. Drogba, whose goals took his season's tally to 12, admitted he has never played better than his current form for Chelsea. He said: "I think so. A few years ago I was playing with the same confidence. I always score when I play injury-free. I hope it will be the same to the end of the season."
When the draw was made for the group stage this fixture looked like being Chelsea's toughest. And so it proved as the visitors spent most of the contest on the back foot. The match had been smouldering for a while when Agüero sparked it into life with a spectacular volley in he 66th minute.
Jose Antonio Reyes had gone close for Atletico, who were a totally different proposition to the side that collapsed to a 4-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago and Drogba had hit a post for Chelsea. But it was Agüero, the player the Premier League club baulked at signing for £43m in the summer, who provided the instinctive volley that lifted the game to a totally different level.
Antonio Lopez crossed from the left, the ball flicked off John Terry's head and Agüero dispatched a spectacular volley that flew past a motionless Petr Cech.
Deco wasted a glorious chance to equalise in the 76th minute when the Atletico goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo's punch fell at his feet, but the Portuguese midfielder shot well wide. However Drogba delivered when it was needed, getting his head to a left-wing cross from Florent Malouda to give Chelsea an equaliser with eight minutes left.
Drogba was not finished and with two minutes remaining he managed to conjure up a late strike out of nothing. Despite having worked tirelessly up front, unsupported for most of the match, he chased down a hopeful clearance that Luis Perea failed to defend and, allowed two stabs at the cherry by Asenjo, he scored to put Chelsea ahead.
The sting in the tail came from Agüero, who on this type of form looks like he might actually be worth the astronomical transfer value put on his head by the Spanish club. In stoppage time Diego Maradona's son-in-law stepped up to fire home a stunning free-kick past Cech to ensure Atletico's efforts were not in vain. The goal, however, remained largely immaterial to Chelsea as Porto's 1-0 defeat of Apoel Nicosia ensured that Ancelotti's side gained a place in next year's knockout stage.
After the breathless finish to the match, Ancelotti paid tribute to Drogba's work ethic for the team. The Chelsea manager said: "He's doing well and continuing to do well. We hope he can play other games like he did tonight. He's a striker who scored two goals, and puts in very important work. He is in a good moment. You can look always at his work, and I'm very happy for his behaviour. I hope that he can continue. At this moment, he has a good feeling with his behaviour."
Chelsea's disjointed performance could be put down to the six changes Ancelotti made from the team that had won 4-0 at Bolton on Saturday. Clearly with one eye on Sunday's vital meeting with Manchester United, Ancelotti altered the make-up of the Chelsea side so much they lost some of the rhythm that had brought them 17 goals in their previous four games.
Drogba admitted the impeding visit of the Premier League champions, and the possibility of extending their lead over them to five points, had been on the players' minds in the build up to this match. He said: "I think we were also thinking about Sunday's game. It is really important for us to beat United at home. We have to improve and show different qualities and be better than we were in Madrid. We played well but it wasn't enough to win."
At least thanks to Drogba they did enough to ensure a draw.

Atletico Madrid (4-1-3-2): Asenjo; Perea, Pablo, Juanito, Antonio Lopez; Assuncao; Reyes (Maxi Rodriguez, 73), Cleber, Simao (Jurado, 83); Sinama Pongolle (Agüero, 52), Forlan. Substitutes not used: De Gea (gk), Raul Garcia, Ujfalusi, Alvaro

Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Essien (Ballack, 59); Lampard, Malouda; J Cole (Deco, 70); Kalou (Anelka, 70), Drogba. Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Ivanovic, Carvalho, Sturridge.

Referee: B Kuipers (Neth).
Group D
Results so far: Chelsea 1 Porto 0, Atletico 0 Apoel 0; Apoel 0 Chelsea 1, Porto 2 Atletico 0; Chelsea 4 Atletico 0, Porto 2 Apoel 1. Atletico 2 Chelsea 2; Apoel 0 Porto 1
Chelsea's remaining fixtures: 25 Nov Porto (a), 8 Dec Apoel (h).

-------------------------------------------------------

Times:

Didier Drogba illustrates importance to Carlo Ancelotti’s Champions League hopes

Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2
Matt Hughes, Deputy Football Correspondent, Madrid

For a brief period during the close season it looked as if Didier Drogba and Sergio Agüero would begin the campaign in tandem at Chelsea, a terrifying prospect that should be enough to send a shiver down the spines of their rivals, even in retrospect.
These contrasting strikers — a raging bull and a nimble matador — illuminated a breathless finale to a bizarre match that left Chelsea assured of their place in the knockout stages, but needing to improve if they are to return to this city for the final in May.
Carlo Ancelotti said afterwards that he would not swap Drogba for any striker in the world, but smiled when asked if he would like to pair him with Agüero. Chelsea are preparing to splash the cash in the January transfer window if Fifa’s transfer ban relating to the signing of Gaël Kakuta from Lens is suspended pending an appeal, although a move for Agüero — despite Ancelotti’s mischief-making — is surely out of the question because of his ineligibility for this competition. “I like him,” Ancelotti said. “I think Agüero can play with Drogba, for sure.”
Agüero’s outrageous wage demands scuppered Chelsea’s plans last summer, although Drogba is close to priceless in his present form. The Ivory Coast striker reclaimed centre stage on his return from suspension by scoring a late double to take his haul for the season to a barely credible 12 from 13 matches, but it is not so much his goals that set him apart from his peers as his all-round contribution.
Drogba’s goals — a far-post header from Florent Malouda’s cross in the 82nd minute followed six minutes later by a superb individual effort in which, after receiving Ashley Cole’s through-ball, he beat Pablo Ibáñez and Juanito, the centre backs, before sending the ball past Sergio Asenjo at the second attempt — appeared to have given Chelsea their fourth straight victory in this competition. However, Agüero was determined not to be overshadowed.
The Argentinian’s contribution after coming on as a 53rd-minute substitute was even more dramatic and his goals slightly better: a stunning volley past Petr Cech to give Atlético Madrid the lead and a beautifully curling free kick to level the match in injury time, although it could not prevent his side’s elimination. The Czech Republic goalkeeper could do nothing about Agüero’s first, but his positioning was poor as he lined up his wall for the free kick.
Agüero’s finishing is as good as anyone’s in the world, although Drogba’s physicality — and superior fitness — arguably set him apart from all his rivals, including Fernando Torres.
The 31-year-old’s workrate is unparalleled for a front man and he offers as much in his own penalty area as at the other end of the pitch, with only John Terry his equal in the crucial area of clearing headers. It says a great deal about Chelsea’s sloppy defending that Drogba’s biggest contributions in the first 60 minutes involved clearing his own lines.
Ancelotti had predicted beforehand that Drogba would be the key to his side’s Champions League hopes, but he will not entirely have enjoyed being proved right so soon. Chelsea were surprisingly poor for much of the match, and rallied only briefly for sporadic spells at the end of each half.
Ancelotti, with half an eye on Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester United made six changes from the win away to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, and initially it showed. The visiting team’s struggles could largely be attributed to being overrun in midfield and the poor quality of their passing, which lacked its usual crispness and clarity of thought.
Michael Essien was particularly culpable, giving away the ball with abandon, to leave Drogba and Salomon Kalou chasing lost causes up front. The Ghana midfield player has many qualities, but will never possess the precision of his illustrious predecessor, Claude Makelele.
Michael Ballack’s strength and stamina were badly missed and he will definitely be back in the starting line-up against United, because it is no coincidence that the Germany captain was also missing during Chelsea’s only defeats this season. The Portuguese pair of Ricardo Carvalho and Deco are also likely to return in place of Alex and Joe Cole, who still has much work to do to regain his best form after nine months out with a knee injury, while Nicolas Anelka’s replacement of Kalou is a certainty.
Ancelotti appeared unconcerned at a disjointed performance, which can be excused given the heights Chelsea have hit in recent weeks, but as well as needing to improve to beat United, such sloppiness will also not be permitted in their next Champions League outing. A defeat in Porto, who have also qualified and have a formidable home record, could cost Chelsea the leadership of group D and condemn them to a more difficult tie in the next round, thus jeopardising their longed for return to Madrid.
Drogba’s return may prove to be timely in more ways than one.
Atlético Madrid (4-1-3-2): S Asenjo — L Perea, P Ibañez, Juanito, A López — P Assunção — J A Reyes (sub: M Rodríguez, 73min), Cléber Santana, Simão (sub: J Jurado, 84) — F Sinama Pongolle (sub: S Agüero, 53), D Forlán. Substitutes not used: D De Gea, R García, T Ujfalusi, A Domínguez. Booked: Reyes, Assunção.
Chelsea (4-1-3-2): P Cech — J Belletti, Alex, J Terry, A Cole — M Essien (sub: M Ballack, 60) — F Lampard, J Cole (sub: Deco, 70), F Malouda — D Drogba, S Kalou (sub: N Anelka, 70). Substitutes not used: Hilário, B Ivanovic, R Carvalho, D Sturridge. Booked: Essien, Terry.
Referee: B Kuipers (Holland)

------------------------------------------------------------------


Guardian:

Didier Drogba fires double on European return to send Chelsea through
Atlético Madrid 2 Aguero 66, Aguero 90 Chelsea 2 Drogba 82, Drogba 88
Dominic Fifield at the Vicente Calderón Stadium

Didier Drogba's scriptwriter should take a bow. The Ivory Coast striker set about restoring his reputation in European competition after the infamous histrionics against Barcelona after the semi-final back in May, and his late goals thrust Chelsea into the knockout phase. A perfect record in the section may have been surrendered, but Carlo Ancelotti's team have been offered a reminder that they will benefit hugely from Drogba's rehabilitation.
The forward's form this season has been supremely impressive, with his timing last night just as impeccable. There have been 11 goals already this term, defences shrinking in his presence all too readily as he batters beyond centre-halves at will. Manchester United may be more vulnerable at the heart of their defence than anywhere else, moreover, and that suggests Chelsea will sense further reward when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Certainly, the striker's post-match claim that he is currently enjoying the best form of his career may send shivers of apprehension through United's ranks. "A few years ago I was playing with the same confidence, but I think this is my best," offered Drogba. "I always score when I play injury-free. There wasn't anything special about being back again in the Champions League, but I'm just enjoying playing with my friends out on the pitch."
Chelsea had actually progressed smoothly enough to the top of Group D without their talismanic forward, whose furious reaction to elimination against Barça had prompted a three-game Uefa suspension, but he will add a new dimension to them for the more testing stages of this competition.
Indeed this game might have edged away from Chelsea only for Drogba's class to tell in the final eight minutes. "For sure I wouldn't want to swap him for any other striker in the world at the moment," said Ancelotti. "He is playing in a 'good moment' right now, and I hope that can continue."
His performances show no signs of dipping. Chelsea had actually been in danger of losing their air of invincibility in the group, trailing to their first concession in the competition, when Drogba thumped in a header from Florent Malouda's left-wing cross eight minutes from time. That deflated Atlético, their brittle confidence fractured once again, with Juanito and Pablo Ibáñez duly wilting as the striker rampaged on to Ashley Cole's pass. The African then muscled his way towards goal as the centre-backs crumpled, smacking his first shot at the prone Sergio Asenjo then calmly converting the rebound.
Chelsea were effectively through with that goal, even if one final sting remained in the contest. Sergio Agüero, rested initially with Sunday's derby against Real Madrid in mind, had emerged from the bench to fire Atlético ahead with a stunningly executed volley at the far post after John Terry's misguided clearance. That was the home side's first goal of the group, illuminating what had been a dull encounter and hinting at unlikely victory for a while, particularly given the visitors had only managed to rouse themselves in fits and starts on an awkward surface.
Yet Agüero would be required to provide a second glimpse of his class. The game had lurched into stoppage time and the stands were emptying as the home support drifted away dejected and apparently defeated when the Argentinian thrashed a wonderful free-kick into the top corner from some 25 yards. Scouts from the continent's top clubs have filed regularly on Agüero in recent years.
"I like him," said Ancelotti. Asked whether he would delight in pairing him with Drogba, perhaps if Chelsea's transfer ban is frozen in January, he added: "I think Agüero can play with Drogba, for sure."
Chelsea departed mildly annoyed to have surrendered parity when Drogba's efforts should have earned a fourth consecutive victory in the group, though they will be heartened to extend their unbeaten, year-long Champions League run.
"Perhaps we could have done better with the defensive wall, and maybe avoided conceding the free-kick as well," said Drogba. "It's really frustrating to concede a goal like that after the effort we produced. But we can be pleased with what we have achieved.
"We were also thinking about Sunday's game [against United]. We did everything we had to do tonight, and now it is important for us to beat United at home. We have to improve and show different qualities, and be better than we were in Madrid. But I think we still put in a good game. It wasn't a poor performance. We played well, but it wasn't enough to win."
In the grand scheme of things, that matters little. Drogba is back and Chelsea are in the knockout stage, with aspirations that they may return to Madrid and the Bernabéu in May very much intact.


---------------------------------------------------------

Mail:

Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2: Aguero crashes Drogba's big night but Blues still progress

Matt Barlow in Madrid

The last time Didier Drogba appeared on a Champions League night he ended it by screaming into the lens of a television camera. He was banned for three matches as a result of the X-rated tirade which followed last season’s dramatic semi-final exit against Barcelona — but last night he returned to European football in spectacular style.In another frantic finish against Spanish opposition, Drogba scored two goals in six minutes to clinch Chelsea’s place in the knock-out stages of the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team had been trailing to a stunning volley from Sergio Aguero and struggling to contain a resurgent Atletico. There was certainly no sign of the free-scoring form of the last fortnight but that mattered little when Drogba levelled with eight minutes to go. It was the simplest of goals — a left-wing cross from Florent Malouda that was nodded in from close range by the big centre forward as he stood unmarked in front of goal. Drogba looked to have gone one better and won the game for Chelsea when he broke clear of the Atletico defence in the 88th minute. His first effort was saved by goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo but the rebound dropped kindly and Drogba rolled it into an empty net. Once again he was screaming, this time in delight, after his 12th goal of the season in all competitions.
‘I wouldn’t want to change him for any striker,’ said Ancelotti, who admitted he would not object to pairing Drogba with Aguero, a summer transfer target for Chelsea who was priced out of a move by his club.‘It’s not great to concede a goal in the last minute but we are in the next phase of the Champions League with two matches to go. That was a difficult match because Atletico played very well. They put a lot of pressure on us in first half but I think we did well — not the best but it was good.’Aguero hit back for Atletico in stoppage time with a delicious curling free-kick millimetres inside Petr Cech’s left-hand post but the point was enough for Chelsea to go through thanks to Porto’s win against APOEL.
It was breathless and pulsating action in the passionate arena of the Vicente Calderon Stadium and it was far more entertaining than any of Chelsea’s four one-sided victories in the last fortnight, when Ancelotti’s team scored 17 without conceding.By contrast, Atletico’s season so far has been bleak. They languish in La Liga’s relegation zone with only one win but started positively last night, with new coach Quique Sanchez Flores committed to an attacking system of twin strikers, two genuine wingers and an upbeat tempo.Centre half Juanito, unattended at a corner, missed the target with a header and a fierce 25-yarder from Diego Forlan flashed a foot wide inside the first five minutes. Former Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes, though still infuriatingly quick to hit the deck at the first sign of contact, was bright and lively on Atletico’s right. He drew Michael Essien into a foul which earned the midfielder a first-half booking but then extended Cech with a wonderful curling shot. It was destined for the top corner until the goalkeeper took off to his left, unfurled his giant frame and clawed the ball around the post.The home crowd took their cue and turned up the volume, thumping on drums and jumping in the stands, but the moment of brilliance from Cech inspired his team-mates, at least momentarily.Joe and Ashley Cole combined on the left, with Joe’s backheel releasing the left back, who delivered an excellent deep cross. Salomon Kalou arrived late to win the ball in the air but his header drifted narrowly wide.Kalou held his head and Atletico were soon back on the attack. Cleber, who had looked unfortunate to be flagged for offside when he was released earlier by Reyes, went close from distance.
A similar open pattern unfolded in the second half. Atletico pressed Chelsea back and Cleber missed the target with skiddy header from Simao’s corner before Drogba almost made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.After being fouled by Pablo Ibanez outside the penalty box on the Chelsea left, the Ivorian striker picked himself up and took the free-kick himself. His drive dipped and wobbled but Asenjo pushed it on to the post. Flores made his first change of the night, sending on Aguero for Florent Sinama Pongolle, and the switch gave the game impetus. The Argentine, rated at more than £50million by his club, was straight into the action and the noisy home fans screamed for a penalty when he was muscled off the ball by Alex.None of the Atletico players shared their sentiment and referee Bjorn Kuipers certainly did not. He waved play on.
Ancelotti responded by sending on Michael Ballack for Essien. Drogba, back in his own goalmouth to help defend, was clattered by Cech as the pair cleared another teasing free-kick from Simao but Chelsea were soon behind. John Terry could not cut out a left-wing cross from full back Antonio Lopez and the ball dropped to Aguero, who flashed the ball past Cech on the volley. The finish was worthy of a £50m player and sparked an incredible finale.Chelsea’s two goals may seem like a famine compared to the previous four games but were enough to keep morale high ahead of the visit of Manchester United on Sunday. ‘We were thinking about Sunday’s game,’ said Drogba. ‘It is really important for us to beat United at home. We have to improve and show different qualities and be better than we were in Madrid but it wasn’t a poor performance.’


-------------------------------------------------------------

Telegraph:

Atlético Madrid 2 Chelsea 2

Jason Burt at the Vicente Calderón Stadium

Two goals from Sergio Aguero and two from Didier Drogba left this contest balanced as a draw with Chelsea progressing to the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
Uefa to back down over Liverpool's match at Atletico MadridThey considered signing Aguero in the summer but decided not to — a decision that may be revisited after his stunning goals — while the decision to retain Drogba has been vindicated.
He also as Michel Platini, the Uefa President, returned “better and stronger” from his three-match European ban although clearly he will not see it that way.
Instead there was a sweet revenge and a point as Chelsea maintained their hopes of returning to the Spanish capital next May for the final of this competition.
Such is the confidence and continuity — of results and performance — that has been coursing through Chelsea of late that Carlo Ancelotti felt secure enough to make six changes to the team that had blown away Bolton Wanderers in the last round of Premier League matches.
Rests were earned by the likes of Michael Ballack, while Deco and Ricardo Carvalho watched as the rivals for their starting places were auditioned.
That fixture was won 4-0, as was the Carling Cup meeting with Bolton last week — and it was the same scoreline when Atletico visited Stamford Bridge before that, the last match in charge for coach Abel Resino.
His successor, Quique Sanchez Flores, had faced up to Chelsea in a quarter-final of this competition as coach of Valencia, and he has been brought in to fire-fight a disastrous season for Los Colchoneros, who had hoped to be challenging for the title not scrabbling around trying to avoid relegation.
A European campaign remains important but it’s fighting for a place in the Europa League, after Christmas, rather than in this competition that is realistic although Sanchez Flores — a former international defender — has certainly installed greater discipline and a little ambition with Jose Antonio Reyes coming closest in the first-half, forcing a fine one-handed save from Petr Cech with a dangerous curling left-foot shot after he combined with Diego Forlan down the Chelsea left flank.
Reyes, the former Arsenal winger, was a danger — partly through his ability to draw fouls — but it is not for no reason that Atletico have struggled for goals despite the apparent potency of their attacking options although the most coveted of all, Sergio Aguero, started as a substitute, restricted by a muscle strain to a second-half appearance.
Nevertheless Atletico built a head of steam. Forlan’s shot from distance flashed wide, a header from Juanito was steered over the crossbar and Drogba, so important at defending corners, twice made vital clearances.
Forlan’s influence grew, quicksilver across the Chelsea defence and the home supporters began to sense that their team was stirring. Finally they began to beat their drums. Worryingly for Chelsea the free-kick count mounted but their resistance remained firm.
Not that they didn’t threaten themselves. Their passing game wasn’t as crisp as of late, but Michael Essien stole the ball away from a hurried clearance and found Drogba, who slipped as he shot and his effort spun across goal.
Then Joe Cole, playing at the tip of that midfield diamond, cleverly dragged the ball with his heel to Ashley Cole, whose cross was headed wastefully wide by Salomon Kalou.
The striker did better to break away, eventually finding Joe Cole who, this time, struck a pass with the outside of his boot to Frank Lampard. His shot flew wide but close enough for him to hold his head in disappointment.
Drogba went even closer. Soon after the interval, his dipping free-kick from the angle of the penalty area, after he had been fouled, almost deceived Sergio Asenjo but the 20year-old goalkeeper recovered to push the ball against a post.
There was confusion at the other end also with Drogba and Cech colliding while the goalkeeper scooped up another free-kick from Reyes. Then he was beaten.
And it was a sumptuous strike, a full-blooded volley from Aguero who met Antonio Lopez’s cross — which just evaded John Terry.
It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded in the competition this season. But it was not enough. With time running out, Florent Malouda crossed and Drogba rose to head emphatically beyond Asjeno. A sweet moment for him. There was another.
He broke clear and swept the ball into the net. It had appeared to be the winner but then Aguero, even more sweetly, struck a fierce free-kick to level matters


-----------------------------------------------------------


Sun:

Atletico Madrid 2 Chelsea 2

RETURNING HERO ... Didier Drogba fired a glorious double on his return to duty
MARK IRWIN in Madrid

HE'S done the crime and he's served his time. Now Didier Drogba is out and terrorising Europe once again.
The man who was once UEFA's public enemy No 1 returned from his three-match Champions League ban with a point to prove.
Two goals later and with a place in the knockout stages assured, it is safe to assume the Ivory Coast hitman had made his mark.
Even a stunning last-gasp equaliser from Sergio Aguero could not take the gloss off Drogba's sensational return to European duty.
From reviled to revered, the only surprise of a breathtaking night was that it took Drogba 82 minutes to open his account.
Until that routine header from Florent Malouda's inviting cross, Chelsea had been staring down the barrel of their first Champions League defeat in a year.
Yet Drogba was not finished there and with only three minutes of this tie remaining, he muscled Luis Perea off the ball to beat keeper Sergio Asenjo at the second attempt.
Incredibly, though, the final word went to Argentine superstar Aguero, who had earlier fired Atletico ahead with a magnificent 67th-minute volley.
With the Chelsea fans already thinking a fifth straight win was in the bag, Aguero thrashed a magnificent 20-yard free-kick around the wall and beyond the reach of the startled Petr Cech.
It was a strike which is sure to revive Carlo Ancelotti's interest in the player, who has been heavily linked with a big-money move to Stamford Bridge.
More than that, though, it will serve as a timely reminder to the Blues that they can take nothing for granted in this competition.
Yet with a striker as potent as Drogba, no one can ever write off this Chelsea team.
Since losing 3-1 to Roma on November 4 last year, Chelsea have now gone 11 Champions League games without tasting defeat, including those two controversial draws with Barcelona in last season's semi-finals.
They came into this game on the back of a torrent of goals, including a 4-0 demolition of struggling Atletico two weeks ago.
And just maybe that was why Ancelotti, with one eye on Sunday's Premier League blockbuster against Manchester United, rested six of the team which had won so easily at Bolton in their last game.
Ashley Cole returned from injury while both Joe Cole and Alex were handed their first Champions League starts of the season.
And then of course there was Drogba, busting a gut to make a more positive impact than on his last outing in this competition against Barcelona in May.
Chelsea's majestic top scorer has now netted 12 times already this season but almost opened his European account for the season in the ninth minute when he hooked his shot on the turn just wide.
Every ball into the Atletico half was hunted down with ferocious intensity by a striker enjoying the finest form of his career.
Atletico had sacked coach Abel Resino after their mauling at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.
And new boss Quique Flores almost appeared to have given up hope of qualifying for the next round when he started with star striker Aguero on the bench.
That left Atletico with a trio of Premier League cast-offs up front in Diego Forlan, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Jose Antonio Reyes, who had a ding-dong battle with his former Gunners team-mate Ashley Cole.
It was Reyes who brought the crowd to life when he unleashed a curling shot which has heading for the corner until Cech clawed the ball away.
Chelsea's best effort of the first half came on 32 minutes.
Salomon Kalou headed narrowly wide from Ashley Cole's cross, although Frank Lampard also had a decent chance just before the interval.
Cleber fired over for Atletico soon after the break but Drogba was just warming up and when his 57th-minute free-kick was fumbled against a post, it was only a matter of time before he let rip.
The last time he exploded it was referee Tom Henning Ovrebo who was torn to shreds.
But there will be no fall-out this time. Just the chance to make further amends.