Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid: Real Madrid are the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions League. At Stamford Bridge, the club that has already been the best in Europe fourteen times had a very difficult time on Tuesday evening. Until Rodrygo’s liberating goal that took away hope from Chelsea.
Chelsea barks but doesn’t bite: Rodrygo shoots Real Madrid to semi-finals
Chelsea had to come back from a 2-0 deficit in Madrid at home. Surprisingly enough, the line-up chosen by Frank Lampard showed little offensive intentions. The interim manager initially only brought in one attacker in Kai Havertz. In the 3-5-1-1 system, the German was supported in the back by Conor Gallagher. Mykhailo Mudryk, João Félix, Raheem Sterling, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic, among others, had to take a seat on the bench.
Without many attackers within the lines, however, Chelsea managed to put a lot of pressure on Real. That also resulted in great opportunities. The first really big opportunity was for N’Golo Kanté, the tireless Frenchman who was important with his runs. The ball fell into Real’s penalty area well for the midfielder, who shot too hastily with the left and did not get his attempt between the posts. It wasn’t the best finishers who got the big chances at Chelsea. The next one who was close to the opening goal was Marc Cucurella. The left wing defender needed too much time and ran into Thibaut Courtois. The latter was applauded by teammates after his important save on a visit to his former club.
Second half
Courtois also saw the Chelsea players often approach his goal in the first phase after the break. A shot from Kai Havertz after a nice slalom lacked power and Gallagher didn’t have his sights on either. Chelsea lacked luck in finishing and the frustration at Stamford Bridge was not lessened when Eder Militão was allowed to stand, much to Lampard’s dismay. Referee Daniele Orsato refused to give the Real Madrid defender his second yellow card for a minor foul on Trevoh Chalobah that may have looked serious through Chelsea goggles.
Where Chelsea tried to increase the pressure, it was Real who struck on the other side in the 58th minute. Rodrygo tried to bring Karim Benzema into position from a quick breakout. The ball ended up with Vinícius Júnior, who in turn gave the ball back to Rodrygo. The 22-year-old Brazilian acted quickly and scored the 0-1.
Lampard tried to mount another offensive after that thump by bringing in João Félix, Sterling, Mudryk and Mount, but it was in vain. Real showed his class with an attack that led to the 0-2 in the eightieth minute. After a good pass from Vinícius to Federico Valverde and strong push by the Uruguayan, Rodrygo hit again from close range. The Real right winger’s thirteenth goal of the season spelled the end of Chelsea’s hopes. Real has reached the last four in the Champions League for the eleventh time in thirteen years. In the semi-finals, the winner of the diptych between Manchester City and Bayern Munich is the opponent.
