Updated:
Apr 11, 2023 2:44 pm
The defending Champions Real Madrid will go head to head against a struggling Chelsea team over two legs in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Champions League History
It is the third season in a row Real Madrid and Chelsea have drawn each other in the knockout stages of the Champions League. In 2020-21 Chelsea knocked out Real Madrid in the semi-finals, while in the last campaign, Real Madrid knocked them out in the quarter-finals in a nailbiting tie that went to extra time.
Chelsea then managed by Thomas Tuchel drew with Los Blancos in Madrid and got an away goal that gave them an advantage and won the return leg 2-0 at home with goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount. The Blues eventually went on to lift the Champions League trophy in Lisbon by beating Manchester City in the final.
Real Madrid undoubtedly had one of the best runs to win the Champions League last year, when they beat Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool to win the most coveted trophy in club football in Paris. In the quarter-finals when they locked horns with Chelsea it was a gripping tie till the end. Karim Benzema scored a hattrick at Stamford Bridge as Real Madrid lead the first leg 3-1. The tables turned in the second leg, as Chelsea took a 3-0 lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but then the magic of the Bernabeu cast a spell.
Luka Modric set up Rodrygo Goes with a stunning outfooted cross, and he volleyed the back in the back of Mendy’s net to take the tie to extra time. In an extended period of play, Karim Benzema did what Karim Benzema does, scoring a fine header from a stunning Vinicius cross to take Real Madrid to the semi-finals.
Season till Now
This year both teams are in a different space, compared to the last season. Chelsea has probably had their worst season in the last 20 years. They are 11th in the Premier League, and out of all cup competitions. Frank Lampard is back at the helm for a temporary spell, and the blues faithful will be hoping that he leads them to the unthinkable.
Chelsea started their season with Thomas Tuchel, and he was sacked to bring in Graham Potter, and then he was sacked because no progress was made, and now club legend Frank Lampard is back in the manager seat. It has been a manager merry-go-round this season for them. They are five spots away from a UEFA Conference League spot, and the only way for them to get European football is to win the Champions League, and that begins with the team you don’t want to face in this competition, Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team on the other hand is 13 points behind Barcelona in La Liga but has reached the finals of the Copa Del Rey. They will be favourites going into this tie and will be hoping to defend their crown.
Team News
Ferland Mendy is out of the tie with a calf injury, but Ancelloti has not hidden the fact that he wants to rotate and prioritize the Champions League. He rested Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Eder Militao, and Eduardo Camavinga so that they are fresh for this fixture. Karim Benzema has left his injury problems behind, he has scored 6 goals in the last three matches, with back-to-back hattricks against Real Valladolid and FC Barcelona.
Frank Lampard on the other hand has some injury issues in this grand squad, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva join Mason Mount on the sidelines with their respective knee injuries. Pierre Emerick Aubameyang was also not named in the travelling squad. N’Golo Kante may return, and all eyes will be on how the Blues line up because having a second leg at home is always an advantage.
There is no doubt that Real Madrid is always favorite in the Champions League, but all of us have seen miracles happen in this competition. Chelsea will hope for one, and Los Blancos will want to stop one. The winner of the two teams will face the winner of Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the semi-finals.
