Four defeats in 22 games across all competitions does not reflect a terrible campaign for any side but the narrative for Chelsea has been entirely different.
Under performers, unimpressive and inconsistent have characterized the descriptions Chelsea have received over time this season following the Blues disastrous start to the season with the defeat to Burnley at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea recovered nicely to win at Wembley against Tottenham Hotspur and followed that with a seven game unbeaten run that was halted by the red-hot Manchester City and another surprising loss to Crystal Palace at the Selhurst Park. That sparked crisis talks at the club, and eventually led to Antonio Conte returning to the drawing board that saw him turn the Blues fortunes around with a tactical shift that took everyone by surprise.
That pragmatic approach has seen Chelsea return to another electrifying run, having lost only once – to Roma in the Champions League – and won eight in 11 games following that Palace defeat.
Conte and his boys will face an Atletico side that wants victory at all costs, but Chelsea will not be easy to beat as well, with a solid run recently that has kept them alive in a fainting Premier League title chase.
