For Emerson Palmieri, the goal against Atletico Madrid felt significant. It was not just the final strike in an emphatic Chelsea win or the 9,000th goal scored in the Champions League.
It was his chance to overcome. The Brazil-born Italy international — on the bench for most of this season — was sent on with four minutes remaining of the second leg of the last-16 tie. With his first touch, he scored to banish Atletico.
Emerson was then selected by manager Thomas Tuchel, his fourth boss in three years since signing from Roma, to start the FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United, four days later, and called into the Italy squad by Roberto Mancini.