Chelsea and Atlético Madrid traveled to Romania to play the first leg of the 2020/21 Champions League round of 16. The Blues and Rojiblancos played a very boring game for the most part, with the English side getting a 0-1 win that put them in a good position ahead of the second leg.
The game changed very fast and dramatically since both teams didn’t do anything to hurt each other and it was a very plain match between two teams that are playing great football recently in their respective leagues.
Olivier Giroud unlocked the match for the Londoners with a beautiful bicycle kick that was first ruled offside. The infamous VAR made an appearance in this game and the referee ruled the goal as valid, sparking a lot of debates on social media.
Fans react to Chelsea-Atlético Madrid controversial game
This play didn’t sit well with a lot of people and fans took to social media to express their disagreement with the decision, calling out Chelsea, the referees, and the entire competition for allowing this goal.
Cheat+ it was offside
— ًًًًً (@reegutd) February 23, 2021
it’s clearly offside it doesn’t count in my book
— messi �� (@fcbmessifc10) February 23, 2021
Also me pic.twitter.com/laVm0tZJ28
— E J (@EleneuioFernan1) February 23, 2021
— �� 사무엘 #EndSars �������� (@djzee_couture) February 23, 2021
Could someone explain that rule to me?? I had never heard of that before ��������
— �� Mon���� (@momnesiac) February 23, 2021
Atletico Madrid Defender touched that ball last. Not a goal in my book.
— ��⚫ (W)inja (@UTD_Ninja) February 23, 2021
Tuchel is might be a good man manager. Putting the talented experience Giroud in big games is what Lampard did not understand. In big games you need good experience players. And he can also gun for the golden boot now
— Henry Tataw Ekambi (@HENRYTATAW) February 23, 2021
Came off hermoso making it onside
— Adam (@Adam87717131) February 23, 2021
Thats a beautiful goal thanks to the defender who failed to clear the ball. But set it up ����
— King (@Cool_Clay) February 23, 2021
Atletico have been playing like paper bags
— DivinityV12UK (@DivinityV12) February 23, 2021
Not a goal in my book����
— Jonathan (@Jonathann_fc) February 23, 2021
Atletico without Oblak are just rich spanish stoke city pic.twitter.com/wWeGrLh3Zs
— Wasted Talent (@Basil483) February 23, 2021
Giroud right now is the same age as Drogba when Chelsea last won the Champions League pic.twitter.com/ZHLGGsqoV7
— Hałe (@CFCHale) February 23, 2021
Giroud goal was offside so it certainly doesn’t count in my book. Chelsea getting lucky once again��
— David Brooks⚡ (@ThFc_BrOoKs) February 23, 2021
Someone get felix some help out there
— #7 (@markashley35) February 23, 2021
it’s offside so it doesn’t count in my book
— messi �� (@fcbmessifc10) February 23, 2021
CRYYYYYYYYY CHELSEA HATERS ��������������
— Abdinho (@Abd1nho) February 23, 2021
We all know were the pain goes to ���������� pic.twitter.com/aNyqeP6OEQ
— Leonard Opakrite (@LOpakrite) February 23, 2021
Doesnt count
— Addai-Manu (@manu_addai) February 23, 2021
Dont understand how Giroud has been benched most of his Chelsea career. The sooner Tuchel realises he is Different Level to Abraham the better for chelsea
— 24POV (@24POV) February 23, 2021
Those who think the goal is valid should have never complained about Rodri vs Aston Villa. Exactly the same rule.
— LSane19 (@L_Sane_19) February 23, 2021
Most underrated player in the world and it’s not even close
— PedriForBallonDor (@Guesswh90198243) February 23, 2021
There is nothing they can do now, though, as Chelsea won the match and are ready to defend that result in the second leg of this series. Thomas Tuchel has really changed the culture for this team and they continue their good pace across every competition.
Atlético lost over the weekend against Levante at home and this became their second consecutive loss, which doesn’t look that promising for the Spanish side. Their season could be damaged after this game and they have a lot of work to do for the next game; Chelsea will hold to that result and will make Atletico’s life very hard.
