Jose Mourinho returned to Spain to frustrate surprise semifinalists Atletico Madrid as his ultra-cautious Chelsea secured a 0-0 draw in a dreary Champions League first leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.

Atletico, through to the last four of Europe's elite club competition for the first time in 40 years, dominated the defence-minded 2012 winners and pushed hard for a goal but failed to carve out an advantage ahead of next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Back in the Spanish capital for the first time since quitting Atletico's city rivals Real at the end of last season, coach Mourinho set out to thwart the home team rather than attack them and the result means his side will be slight favourites to advance to next month's final in Lisbon.

The Londoners lost goalkeeper Petr Cech when he fell heavily and hurt his right elbow in the 15th minute but neither his replacement Mark Schwarzer nor Atletico keeper Thibaut Courtois, on loan from Chelsea, were genuinely tested in a drab affair.

source: supersport