Chelsea-Real Madrid is a match valid for the return leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League and is played on Tuesday at 9 pm: tv, predictions.
The first leg match, as expected, held no surprises. Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid are now with one and a half feet in the semifinals after a clear 2-0 win at the “Bernabeu” against a Chelsea that appeared almost defenseless, overwhelmed by problems and that doesn’t seem to have even the slightest chance of passing the round in the challenge with the reigning European champions.
On velvet the Merengues. One goal per half – first the usual Benzema, then Asensio – and many wasted chances that could have made the final result even heavier for the Londoners, who were called upon to come back from two goals down at Stamford Bridge. The Champions League, we have said repeatedly, is the natural habitat of the Spanish club, which has already set its sights on its 15th triumph in the cup with the big ears, its second consecutive one. The English, moreover, have become Real’s favorite victims, having won their last five games in the knockout stage, all against Premier League teams. Only once in nineteen have the Blancos been eliminated after winning the first leg by two goals: it was the 2003-04 edition and in the end Monaco went through thanks to the defunct away goals rule. In short, even the kabbalah seems to take away any hope from the Blues, so far protagonists of a truly disastrous season.
Blues one step away from the abyss
The Lampard effect, in fact, has not had the desired effects. The former midfielder and club captain, recalled two weeks ago after Graham Potter’s exoneration, has racked up three consecutive defeats between the Premier and Champions League.
A shot by Joao Felix
After the tumble at Wolverhampton, Chelsea on Saturday was defeated 2-1 by De Zerbi’s Brighton. It was the 12th knockout in the league, effectively ousting the Londoners permanently from the race for Europe. Not only from the long unreachable Champions League, but also from the minor one. The Blues are eleventh in the standings, ten points behind seventh place, occupied precisely by Brighton, which has played two fewer games than Havertz and co. The scenario that is unfolding-unthinkable at the beginning of the season-is a bleak one. Despite the more than 500 million spent in the last two buying campaigns, Chelsea is in danger of being left out of everything. Lampard’s men will therefore try to pull out their pride in what will most likely be their last match of the season in the most prestigious competition. Real, for its part, will not have to take the risk of feeling they are already in the semifinals. Ancelotti will make sure his men keep their attention spans high, and Saturday’s success in Cadiz (0-2) is proof that the Merengues do not want to raise the white flag in La Liga either, although they remain within striking distance (11 points) of top-ranked Barcelona.
Chelsea-Real Madrid: latest lineup news
Lampard will be without Chilwell, sent off at the “Bernabeu” for a foul on Rodrygo: Cucurella will replace him on the left. Also heavy is the absence of Koulibaly in defense: the former Neapolitan has an adductor problem and will not be in the match. In the defensive trio, alongside Fofana and Thiago Silva, Chalobah will play. Finally, in attack, the coach should reintroduce the trident formed by Mudryk, Havertz and Sterling, the latter in a runoff with Joao Felix. Out of the Uefa list Badiashile, Aubameyang and Madueke.
In Real Madrid, the only one unavailable is Mendy, while Kroos and Vinicius, kept at rest by Ancelotti against Cadiz, should return to the starting eleven. Camavinga will again fill the left-back role, with Alaba moving to the center of defense, alongside Militao. Rodrygo confirmed in attack, Asensio will start from the bench instead.
The Prediction
The differences already appeared clear seven days ago and the feeling is that the London match will only reiterate them. We expect a show of pride from Chelsea, which should at least manage to score a goal in front of its own public. The Blues will inevitably have to adopt an unprejudiced attitude, which so far has not been in their vein: the Real Madrid strikers, in front of possible open spaces, could therefore go for it. Ancelotti’s team will again avoid defeat in a match that could turn on in the second half, which is likely to be more prolific than the first half.
The probable lineups of Chelsea-Real Madrid
- CHELSEA (3-4-3): Kepa; Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah; James, Kanté, Enzo Fernández, Cucurella; Mudryk, Havertz, Sterling.
- REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Eder Militão, Alaba, Camavinga; Modrić, Kroos, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinícius.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
