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MADRID, Spain -- Chelseas defensive game plan worked perfectly as it held Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. Jose Mourinhos ultra-defensive tactics succeeded at the Vicente Calderon Stadium despite the exit of goalkeeper Petr Cech to injury in the 18th minute. Mark Schwarzer came on, with Cechs long-term replacement -- Thibaut Courtois -- playing in the opposite goal, on loan from Chelsea. Atletico nearly broke through in the final 15 minutes as Raul Garcia and substitute Arda Turan sent headers wide, while Gabi Fernandez and Diego Costa forced Schwarzer into saves. But Chelsea looked too strong at the back, despite also losing captain John Terry to an injury that will sideline him for the remainder of the Premier League season. The result will leave the English side feeling upbeat about its chances of returning to the final, two years after beating Bayern Munich on penalties. Atletico, which is top of the Spanish league and hasnt been this far in Europes top competition since 1974, needs a plan for breaking open a Chelsea defence that will be handicapped by injuries and suspensions in the return leg. "Were not happy with the draw since we wanted to win at all costs. Were left with a bad taste in our mouth even if the series is still open," Gabi said. "We knew they didnt want to concede, but we tried to score through our best attacking football." The second leg is at Stamford Bridge on April 30 with the winner playing either Bayern or Real Madrid in the May 24 final at Lisbon. Chelsea striker Fernando Torres started on his first return to his boyhood club -- but made little impact like much of his sides attack -- as Oscar and Andre Schuerrle were left on the substitutes bench. Eden Hazard and Samuel Etoo were out due to injury. "We had to be safe, dont concede and score in the chances you create," Mourinho said. "If you score a goal in one of those situations the result would be very good. We didnt, but this result means everything will be decided at Stamford Bridge." Mourinhos game plan was not pretty, but certainly proved effective as the Blues stifled Atletico, whose best opportunity of the first half forced Cech out with an injured shoulder as he tipped Kokes wicked in-swinging corner kick over the bar. Schwarzer came on to chants of "Courtois" as Atletico supporters mocked Chelseas decision to loan out the Belgian goalkeeper. Chelsea should have been ahead moments later when Gary Cahill headed Frank Lampards corner kick wide from inside the area, shortly before Ramires broke through -- only for the Chelsea midfielder to fire wide. Schwarzer was busy gathering failed crosses and long balls as the home side attempted to break through without success, while Chelseas defenders did well to contain Diego Costa and block a series of shots, including the Spain strikers 41st-minute volley from inside the area. After Lampard forced Courtois into a save to start the second half, Atletico slowly began to break through the Chelsea wall through efforts from Diego Ribas, who came off for Turan after an hour. Terry picked up an injury after appearing to land awkwardly and made way for Schuerrle in the 73rd, while Atletico players grew frustrated with referee Jonas Eriksson. The Swede gave neither team leeway in a stop-start match featuring many fouls and also handed out a booking to Gabi that will rule the Atletico captain out of the return match. Yellow cards for Lampard and John Obi Mikel means the Chelsea midfield pair will also miss the game at Stamford Bridge. "We will fight, we will fight," said Mourinho, who said he now saw the Blues priority as being Europe rather than the Premier League. "(Branislav) Ivanovic is back, Schwarzer showed we could trust him. If we have to play the kids, we have to play the kids." Raul Garcia, who limped off at the end, headed a pair of chances over the top in the final 10 minutes, when Atletico pressed forward for a winner. Diego Costa was unable to direct his header past Schwarzer, who will now be vital for Chelseas Premier League campaign, as the London club held on for a valuable draw. Discount Nike Shoes .Y. -- Mark Steenhuis scored four goals and added two assists to lead the Buffalo Bandits over the Toronto Rock 12-10 in National Lacrosse League action on Saturday. Cheap Nike Shoes Authentic . The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the search, confirmed reports by several media outlets. The interview took place in Southern California on Monday. https://www.wholesalenikeshoesauthentic.com/ . Serbia captain Bogdan Obradovic said his team will include 9th-ranked Janko Tipsarevic and 27th-ranked Viktor Troicki as he decided to let the top-ranked Djokovic rest. Cheap Nike Shoes From China . He was 40. Firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor, fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright said. He said Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. Cheap Nike Shoes . A larger-than-life personality known for his intimidating style in the 18-yard box, Schmeichels career spanned some 20 years -- including a memorable tenure at Manchester United.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Phil Mickelson hardly sounded like a guy who nearly won his sixth major championship. He was a bit put off by the way it finished. More important, he wasnt about to let a strong showing at the PGA Championship brighten the way he felt about this year. Theres a lot of work ahead. "Ive got some regrouping to do these next three or four months," Mickelson said Sunday night, standing in the darkness of Valhalla after losing to Rory McIlroy by a single shot. "I have some glaring areas in my game that I have to work on." He was part of a riveting four-man duel in the rain-delayed final round, but a costly bogey at the 16th denied Mickelson a chance to break his longest winless stretch since 2003. Lefty closed with a 5-under 66 for a 15-under 269 total, not quite good to deny to deny McIlroy his second straight major title. For Mickelson, it was an encouraging performance after a largely disappointing season. He hasnt won since the 2013 British Open, and he wasnt a factor in the first three majors this year. Now, its time for the 44-year-old to get to work. "I feel like if Im able to continue to be strong and healthy and sharp in these areas of my game, I should have four or five good years," Mickelson said. "These next three or four months will be critical for me making sure that I address the issues and that Im ready to go in 2015." What are his most pressing concerns? Mickelson had a lengthy list. "Short irons were terrible this year as a whole. Its usually a strength, and Ive got to get that back," he said. Then Mickelson mentioned his driving, especially missing the fairway at the 16th and 17th holes. "Those two tee shots hurt. Those are things Ive got to address. Ive got to. I dont mind being wild, but when youve got to get in the fairway, youve got to be able to do it." The finish was downright bizarre. A nearly two-hour suspension set up a race to the finish, and the last two groups -- Mickelson and Fowler, followed by McIlroy and Bernd Wiesberger -- arrived at the 18th tee one after the other, barely able to see the green 538 yards away. After Mickelson and Fowler hit their shots, the PGA of America told the final group to hit as well, essentially turning the final hole of a major championship into a foursome.dddddddddddd Mickelsons caddie, Jim Mackay, was heard grumbling to the officials as they asked the next-to-last pairing to step aside so the last one could hit. Then, after Mickelson and Fowler struck their second shots, McIlroy and Wiesberger hit as well. With all four at least near the green, Mickelson and Fowler played out. Lefty nearly chipped in for eagle off the front of the green, which could have forced a playoff. But a birdie left him lacking by a shot when McIlroy blasted out of a bunker, two-putted for par and signed for 268. Mickelson got in a bit of a shot at the PGA of America, mentioning that the organization only runs one tournament a year. But he acknowledged that the strange ending didnt really affect the outcome. "Thats not what we normally do," he said. "But its not a big deal either way. At least that way, we had a chance to finish." For Mickelson, any chance of adding to his three Masters titles, last years British Open and the 2005 PGA Championship essentially ended at the 16th hole, where he drove into the rough, left his second shot short of a bunker and nearly chipped in, the ball catching the right lip of the cup before skidding 10 feet past. He missed the putt to save par, dropping out of the lead he shared with McIlroy. When McIlroy rolled in a birdie at the 17th, the lead grew to two strokes heading to the final hole. "It was a fun day for me to get in the mix and a fun day for me to make some birdies and move up early so that I had a good chance on the back nine," Mickelson said. "Had I been able to finish those last five, six holes strong, I could have totally flipped the way I look at this year." Maybe his ninth runner-up finish in a major will turn out to be blessing. "Regardless of how I played this week, I know that Ive got to address some things," Mickelson said. "These next four to five years, I really want to make them special." Mickelson extended his American record by qualifying for his 10th consecutive Ryder Cup team. The PGA was the final qualifying event for nine Americans to make the team that will face Europe late next month in Scotland. Mickelson jumped from 10th to fifth. ' ' '
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