The game: 2-0
We won’t say that Real Madrid are very well on their way to qualifying for the semi-finals after the quarter-final first leg. Last year, at the same stadium, the Spanish club won 3-1 at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea came close to turning the situation around on the return and creating a feat (3-2). But at halftime of the same poster, Real is still in front and it was a step well above.
Chelsea suffered against Real’s high pressing and control in the first period (10 shots, 8 on target for Real), especially Wesley Fofana against Vinicius. The French defender was quickly warned (5th) by Mr. Letexier and he was beaten on the good action of the opener: Dani Carvajal, who came in the middle, found Vinicius deep in the box, and his recovery in extension of the end of the left foot was released by Kepa Arrizabalaga in the feet of Karim Benzema, who only had to celebrate his 90th goal in C1.
Real had many other situations against this Chelsea forced to suffer, there was also a rescue from Thiago Silva, back in a three-man defense, in front of his line (26th), but it was still necessary for Thibaut Courtois is decisive on a badly concluded counter by Joao Felix (2nd) and especially on a close range recovery from Raheem Sterling (23rd). But the Blues have rarely passed the halfway line.
After the break, Luka Modric touched the frame (50th) and Chelsea were reduced to ten after the expulsion of Ben Chilwell, guilty of having unbalanced Rodrygo just in front of the surface (59th). At eleven against ten, Chelsea gave in on a finely played corner, Vinicius serving back Marco Asensio, entered three minutes earlier, for a well-placed left shot on the right of Arrizabalaga, a little short (74th). The Blues timidly tried to react, but Antonio Rüdiger was decisive by countering a strike from Mason Mount (90th + 3). The score still gives them hope for the return, because Real sometimes sinned in the last gesture, but they will need more cohesion, intensity and determination, which does not look like them at the moment , to shake this Real, always intractable in big matches.
The player: elusive Vinicius
He does everything much faster than the others and he put the Chelsea defense to the torture, in particular Wesley Fofana and Reece James, who never knew how to read his game. He is certainly the Madrid player who has lost the most balls ( 19), but the Brazilian constantly provoked and committed significant damage (4 successful dribbles, 8 duels won, 4 last passes before a shot, 2 shots on target). And he was decisive on both goals, provoking Benzema’s and serving Marco Asensio perfectly on the second.
14
Since the start of last season, Karim Benzema has scored 14 goals in the Champions League knockout stage, at least eight more than any other player over the period (six for Haaland). The French striker scored his 20th goal against an English club in C1, only Lionel Messi did better (27). (Opt)
