Can Marcos Llorente make the difference for Atletico Madrid against Chelsea?
(Picture: Getty Images)Thomas Tuchel has warned his Chelsea players to be wary of the threat of Marcos Llorente ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea are defending a 1-0 lead after the first leg of their round of 16 tie. But part of Tuchel’s preparations have been focused on countering the danger of Llorente, who scored twice as the Spanish giants eliminated Liverpool at the same stage last season and is expected to be deployed in a different role to the first leg.
Llorente played wide to cover for injuries in the neutral venue of Bucharest but is now expected to play in his favoured position of central midfield.
Without the suspended Mason Mount and Jorginho, Chelsea will be robbed of two players who have been key to Tuchel’s unbeaten start in the job.
And Llorente has warned Atletico are gearing up for another famous win against Premier League opposition.
"The team is eager, psyched up, aware of the game ahead,” he told Marca. “It is crucial, we are working well and a good game will come out.
“From within we trust ourselves. We have played great games this season. We have very clear ideas and we really want it to come.
"We have played big games when things get ugly. We have to remember what we did to Liverpool, that we are capable of it. We are sure to go for it all and get the victory."
