After a clean sheet in Madrid and a resilient defensive performance in the 2-0 victory at Liverpool, José Mourinho was hardly likely to be more adventurous. Even so, his decision to select six natural defenders in his starting XI, with César Azpilicueta and David Luiz in midfield roles, ensured this was his most defensive team selection of the season.

The opening was extremely cautious, with Chelsea patient in possession and reluctant to play into Atlético's midfield press. Azpilicueta was used in an unfamiliar right-sided midfield position, effectively in the role Ramires played in the first leg. With the Brazilian needed in the centre of midfield, Azpilicueta was told to watch the attacking left-back Filipe Luís closely.

With David Luiz switching play, Mourinho's side always attacked down the flanks, through both Eden Hazard on the left and Azpilicueta on the right. A couple of times Chelsea attacked past Atlético's full-backs and looked to play cut-backs into the box, only to find Fernando Torres was not making a purposeful run towards the near post.

Chelsea's opener was the only time the former Atlético striker found a pocket of space for one of these deliveries, and it was notable that Azpilicueta provided the assist, proving he is capable of attacking contributions when used in this advanced role.

As it happens, Chelsea could have done with an Azpilicueta equivalent on the opposite flank too, considering the nature of their concession for Atlético's equaliser. Their right-back, Juanfran, motored past Hazard into an unmarked position to receive a lofted pass from Tiago, creating the equaliser for Adrián. That would not have happened on the opposite flank, with Azpilicueta tracking Filipe Luís closely.

Needing to get back into the game in the second half, Mourinho quickly changed to a system featuring two up front, with Samuel Eto'o on for Ashley Cole, and Azpilicueta returning to left-back. But defensive problems continued to hamper Chelsea – Eto'o's first contribution was his clumsy challenge on Diego Costa for the penalty concession.

Atlético's third goal, meanwhile, came from an identical route to the first – although eventually scored by Arda Turan, the key was Tiago unmarked and playing another excellent diagonal ball to Juanfran, who had again darted past Hazard with a late run. The Belgian is not famed for his defensive work, certainly, but these two lapses cost Chelsea and he was unable to compensate with his usual attacking magic.

The most impressive thing about Atlético, though, was their bravery in the second half. Even at 1-1 they were in line to qualify through away goals, but rather than sitting back and playing on the counterattack, they dominated possession inside the opposition half and created a decent stream of chances.

They will fancy their chances in a one-off game against Real Madrid, who they defeated in last season's Copa del Rey final as well as earlier this season at the Bernabéu – should they triumph, it will be the most extraordinary and unexpected European Cup victory since Mourinho's success with Porto in 2004.