Schwarzer, who holds the record of being Australias mo

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. Air Jordan China . Trailing 5-4 in the third set, the 12th-ranked Isner fought off two match points and evened it at 5-5 with consecutive aces. The former University of Georgia star had his only service break of the match to go up 6-5 before firing the last four of his 30 aces to close out Ginepri, an Atlanta resident ranked 281st. Jordan China . Its not intended to be some magical formula and doesnt apply any context, like, for example, taking injuries into account. This remedial statistical method has gone 9-5 in picks through the first three rounds. https://www.jordanchina.us/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. Fake Jordan . -- Golden State Warriors reserve centre Ognjen Kuzmic is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured right hand. Cheap Jordan From China . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates.LONDON -- Chelsea announced Tuesday that Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had signed a new one-year contract and confirmed the departures of Ashley Cole and Samuel Etoo. Schwarzer moved to Chelsea last year on a free transfer from Fulham and proved a reliable backup to Petr Cech. He made 12 starts with the team, as well as a substitute appearance in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Atletico Madrid. The 41-year-old Schwarzer, who holds the record of being Australias most capped player, retired from international football in November. He also played for Middlesbrough and Bradford after moving to England from Germanys Kaiserslautern in 1996. Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario left Chelsea earlier this week at the end of his contract. Former England left-back Cole and Cameroon captain Etoo have also departed after their contracts expired.dddddddddddd Coles departure from Stamford Bridge follows a season in which he was restricted to 17 Premier League appearances, with Jose Mourinho preferring Cesar Azpilicueta in defence. The 33-year-old defender, who earned 107 caps for England, retired from international football after being passed over for the World Cup in Brazil. Cole, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006, has won a league title, four FA Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League with the Blues. Etoo, who signed a one-year deal from Anzhi Makhachkala last August, scored 12 goals in 35 matches, including a hat trick against Manchester United. The 33-year-old has been linked with a move to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. ' ' '