Chelsea play hosts to La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid in the second and final leg of their Champions League semi-final contest that is being played at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
The Blues carry the advantage of an important away goal which was secured last week in the 1-1 draw through Christian Pulsisic’s opener before Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema found the back of a net with an absolute wonder of a strike as the game finished in a well-contested stalemate.
Thomas Tuchel’s men were last in action against relegation favourites Fulham this past weekend in a home fixture which went Chelsea’s way courtesy of a fine performance from Kai Havertz whose brace ensured a 2-0 win for the west London giants.
With the Blues all but closing in on ensuring their path into next season’s Champions League, a chance to feature in the Champions League final is subject to a stern test at home from Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid side this week.
The Spanish heavyweights have established their credentials as serial winners of the competition ever since Zidane took over the managerial reigns at the Santiago Bernabeu and are by all means one of the toughest opponents Chelsea can play against in the latter stages of the Champions League.
A defeat in the second leg of their quarter-last tie with Porto meant the Blues’ only loss of this season’s Champions League up until now and their fantastic showings at the back speak a lot for their defensive record – keeping seven clean sheets and conceding just 4 times in their 11 outings.
Not since a hugely unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Levante in La Liga action on January 30 have Real Madrid lost a game to any side and on the back of five clean sheets in their last six outings, Real Madrid possesses a great threat to Chelsea’s hopes of clinching European glory in the initial months of Tuchel’s charge at the Bridge.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Wednesday 5 May
Time: 9 PM GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea are bound to miss Mateo Kovacic after he endured a little muscle injury following his recovery process and would not be in the fray to feature against his old club but the in-form Mason Mount is relied upon to be fit regardless of an injury scare last time around against Fulham.
Tuchel expressed hopes that Antonio Rudiger will stage a much-important return to on-field action following his recent injury trouble meaning that Kurt Zouma would be in line to drop out to make way for Rudiger’s inclusion into the XI.
KEY BATTLE
Kai Havertz v Karim Benzema
Havertz put in a man of the match showing in the recent win over Fulham with the German forward being relied upon to answer his side’s troubles in front of the goal of late with a plaudit-worthy display which was capped off with a brace.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have Karim Benzema to rely upon and the Frenchman was key to his side’s comeback last week, ensuring a pivotal draw after Chelsea had taken the lead through Pulisic, and all eyes would once again be on the former Lyon man who has endured a brilliant goalscoring run this season.
MATCH PREDICTION
Expect Tuchel’s Chelsea to turn up at their in what is bound to be a very evenly contested clash with both sides vying for a spot in the final of the Champions League.
We predict the Blues to prevail over the Spanish visitors with a narrow 1-0 scoreline in their favour.
