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The Champions League has reached the semi-final stage and Thomas Tuchel leads his side against Zinedine Zidane, hoping Chelsea can overcome Real Madrid in much the same way as they did against Manchester City recently in a domestic cup.
Man City were the favourites there, but Chelsea showed great defensive resilience and a predatory counter-attacking ability; much the same might be required to go through over two legs against the Spanish giants.
EXPLAINED: Why Real Madrid aren’t playing at the Bernabeu in the Champions League tonight
Real, of course, have the weight of historical success and expectation behind them – but they haven’t been at their very best this term, even if they do seem to save their top performances for the biggest occasions.
Eden Hazard’s timely return from injury could see him face his former side, while the Blues will be hoping the return to prominence of Timo Werner will instead give them the edge in attack.
Real could yet win the title in LaLiga, though it’s more likely neither team ends the season as domestic champions; as such, it’s all-or-nothing for European glory and there’s no margin for error in the final four.
PSG or Man City will await in the final, but first it’s set to be two titanic tussles with both Real and Chelsea sure to be optimistic about their chances of reaching Istanbul.
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Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:58
Class Karim
Karim Benzema is only the sixth player to score as many as five goals in Champions League knockout semi-finals, after Cristiano Ronaldo (13), Robert Lewandowski (7), Lionel Messi (6), Jari Litmanen (5) and Alessandro del Piero (5).
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:54
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:50
Half time and it’s all square
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
45+1 mins: Half time. It’s been an entertaining first 45 minutes. Chelsea opened the scoring with a deserved goal from Christian Pulisic after they found a way in behind the Madrid defensive line. Karim Benzema then showed his quality, swivelling the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box. Chelsea will be the happier camp, they’ve scored an away goal and look likely to add to it.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:46
Chance for Werner!
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
42 mins: Chelsea beat the Real Madrid midfield yet again. This time it’s a simple forward pass from N’Golo Kante into the feet of Christian Pulisic. He turns and carries the ball up the pitch with Timo Werner and Mason Mount either side of him. Pulisic passes it to Werner who runs into the right side of the box. He shoots and goes for a gap at the near post but his accuracy is off and he only picks out the side netting of the goal.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:43
Yellow card for Pulisic
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
39 mins: Christian Pulisic attempts to win the ball off Marcelo and lunges in a little too forcefully on Real Madrid’s captain. He picks up a yellow card to add to his goal.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:40
Long-ranged effort from Thiago Silva
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
36 mins: It’s been 44 Champions League game for Thiago Silva since his last goal but that didn’t stop him having a go there. Chelsea push high up the pitch as a team with Thiago carrying the ball. Madrid drop off him which opens up room for him to run into. He does and drills an effort towards goal from around 25-yards. The shot hits a white shirt and bounces out for a Chelsea corner.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:39
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
33 mins: That goal has seemingly re-energised Real Madrid who are moving the ball around with more purpose now. It’s hammering it down with rain at the Alfredo De Stefano now which means the ball is skipping on off the pitch. Werner attempts to play Pulisic in behind by flicking on an aerial pass but Varane is onto it quickly and he puts it out for a throw in.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:35
GOAL! Benzema equalisers for Real Madrid!
Real Madrid 1 – 1 Chelsea
29 mins: Goal! Benzema has been Madrid biggest threat so far and he’s found his team an equaliser. Real Madrid win a corner and Kroos knocks it short to Modric. He gives it to Marcelo who swings the ball into the back post. Casemiro wins the header and sends it back into the middle of the box. The ball is flicked on and Benzema smokes one on the half-turn and whacks the ball into the net. Lovely stuff.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:29
Chances! First Benzema then Chilwell
Real Madrid 0 – 1 Chelsea
25 mins: Karim Benzema creates Real Madrid’s first real chance of the night after he brings down a long ball from Courtois. He comes inside from the left and lays it to Kroos who passes it to Vinicius Junior. Benzema makes a run towards the box and receives it from his strike partner. Benzema shoots and fires one just wide of the back post.
Chelsea then sweep up the pitch, N’Golo Kante slips into the right side of the box, he passes the ball to Azpilicueta who squares it to Chilwell. Chilwell shoots and scuffs it wide.
Michael Jones27 April 2021 20:28
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