The Blues were knocked out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage on Wednesday night following a 3-1 second-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately, it was the team in red and white stripes playing with the speed, authority and skill that would have reminded the Russian billionaire why he once dreamed of appointing Pep Guardiola as the Chelsea manager.
In the second half, Chelsea surrendered meekly. Jose Mourinho has so often conquered rivals in big matches away from home, but Atletico Madrid beat him at his own game to book a place in the Champions League final on May 24, where they will face Real Madrid.
Mourinho claimed the game turned on an “impossible save” from Thibaut Courtois to deny John Terry, followed moments later by a clumsy foul from Samuel Eto’o which allowed Diego Costa to put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.
The intensity of their play was startling, the cohesion of their attacking movement too much for the Blues to handle. They played with a passion that mirrored that of their coach, Diego Simeone, on the touchline.
Not so special anymore? This was Mourinho’s fourth Champions League semi-final defeat in a row, his sixth overall in 10 attempts to reach the final of Europe’s most prestigious competition.
The Portuguese had tried to repeat the formula that worked so well in Sunday’s win at Anfield, starting with six recognised defenders in his side, looking to keep the game tight and exploit any chink in Atletico’s armour. Eyebrows were raised but the game was going perfectly to Mourinho’s gameplan when Fernando Torres fired Chelsea ahead via a deflection in the 36th minute
But the Liga leaders hit back. Adrian equalised just before half time and Simeone’s men took control after the break. Diego Costa put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot and then Arda Turan sealed the win. Atletico are the perfect example of a team that is coached to become far more than the sum of its parts. Mourinho, a year in to the four-year deal he signed to return to Chelsea last year, is still working on uniting the group of individuals assembled for him by Abramovich at great expense.