Chelsea host Real Madrid in the second round of the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals. The 1st leg between the two ended in a stalemate 1-1 result in Madrid which left it completely “all to play for” in the 2nd leg.
Real Madrid will be traveling to Stamford Bridge for the first time in their history and Zidane`s men will have only one thing in mind “Score Goals”.
While Chelsea have that away goal advantage over Los Blancos but it`s quite sure Tuchel will not rest on that.
Lets have a look what the experts say :
Expert predictions
Jon Phipps, Chelsea reporter: An away goal has given Chelsea a narrow advantage, and another clean sheet at the weekend sets them up nicely for this tie. There are slight worries over Antonio Rüdiger and Mason Mount but if both are fit, Chelsea will be confident of finishing the job. They stifled Madrid so well in the first leg and will need to do the same again here.
Joe Walker, Real Madrid reporter: Any other side might well have been dead and buried after the first leg, but not this Madrid side. They have that inner resolve that few sides possess in this competition, and with captain Sergio Ramos back in the fold they will fancy their chances in London. Having said that, they will have to shore up the midfield and wide areas if they are to progress, and cannot afford Chelsea the kind of space they were granted last week.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea have been staring an impressive line of form after former PSG coach Thomas Tuchel took over at the bridge. In their recent fixture they claimed a victory over lowly Fulham as Kai Havertz scored a brace.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic remains sidelined with an injury and N’Golo Kante and Jorginho will have to make up for his absence. Antonio Rudiger and overcome his knock and will likely be available for selection.
Real Madrid
Like Chelsea, Real Madrid also won with a 2 goal margin against Osasuna in their previous fixture from a sensational Militao header and a Casemiro ricochet which ended up well for the Spanish Giants.
Fede Valverde has recovered from COVID and is available for selection with Marcelo who left the polling station at 9:01 AM so as to not miss the flight to London. Madridistas were worried that Marcelo may not be able to play against the blues because he was addressed to polling duties but he always makes it in time.
FORM GUIDE
Chelsea
Form: WDWDWL
Latest: Chelsea 2-0 Fulham, 01/05
Where they stand: 4th in Premier League, FA Cup final
Real Madrid
Form: WDDWDD
Latest: Real Madrid 2-0 Osasuna, 01/05
Where they stand: 2nd in Liga
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Chelsea: Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger; Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kanté, Chilwell; Pulišić, Werner, Mount
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Ramos, Militão, Nacho; Casemiro, Kroos, Modrić; Asensio, Benzema, Vinícius
