On the again of three consecutive defeats beneath interim Frank Lampard, Chelsea are thought-about lengthy photographs to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit in opposition to Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
But the Blues have a historical past in Europe of upsetting the percentages as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City will testify of their glory years of 2012 and 2021.
Mail Sport appears to be like at the place the competition could possibly be gained and misplaced..
REECE JAMES/ WESLEY FOFANA v VINICIUS JUNIOR
The younger Brazilian was a unanimous factors winner from their first conflict on the Bernabeu.
James was unable to deal with his dribbling and motion, even with the tried help of right-sided central defender Fofana.
Reece James (left) and Vinicius Jr (proper) race after the ball throughout final week’s first leg
Unfortunately for James, the Brazilian simply had an excessive amount of high quality as Real gained the match 2-0
Vinicius was a continuing and potent risk on the left. If James tried to get ahead as a wing-back, Chelsea paid the worth with the ahead exploiting the area.
He arrange the opening aim with a run inside Fofana that led to a shot parried by Kepa, with Karim Benzema changing the rebound.
Chelsea have to get on the scoresheet not less than twice so James must be an attacking drive in addition to defensively sound – neither of which occurred final week.
He and Fofana want a greater plan to cope with Vinicius, whose partnership with Benzema is deadly.
Chelsea know all about Carlo Ancelotti’s man-management abilities. The means Don Carlo has remodeled Vinicius from inconsistent trickster to common match-winner is one among his greatest achievements in Madrid.
James has an enormous repute, that is the time to point out why.
Wesley Fofana additionally struggled to maintain Vinicius in test through the match on the Bernabeu
Carlo Ancelotti shall be again in acquainted environment at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening
Frank Lampard exhibits off his ball juggling abilities in Chelsea coaching forward of the massive match
WHICH MIDFIELD LEGEND WILL DOMINATE?
Former Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric has been a cornerstone to Real Madrid’s 5 Champions League titles within the final decade and at 37 his powers present now indicators of waning.
Modric’s passing carousel alongside Toni Kroos enable the Spanish champions to run most matches in opposition to any opposition and he nonetheless has the vitality to get into the ultimate third and create or rating targets.
It’ll take a supreme efficiency to restrict Modric’s affect and permit Chelsea to manage the tempo, however a peak N’Golo Kante is likely one of the few able to doing it.
Injury has spoiled nearly all of the Frenchman’s season however he’s enjoying once more now and his trophy cupboard can also be vastly spectacular; World Cup, Champions League and Premier League titles with two completely different golf equipment.
If Kante can get right into a place the place his studying of the sport and acceleration over brief distances can disrupt Modric, Real Madrid could not discover the night as snug as they would want.
And Kante should not need to do it alone. This is the kind of sport Chelsea wished Enzo Fernandez for after they paid out a report £107million.
N’Golo Kante (left) shall be tasked with limiting the affect of Luka Modric (proper) in midfield
Luka Modric, 37, (left) and Toni Kroos, 33, (proper) continued to look a category aside for Real
MASON MOUNT v THIBAUT COURTOIS
Yes actually..
As everybody is aware of, Chelsea are chronically in need of targets however Mount has a superb report in opposition to Madrid, scoring previous Courtois in Champions League matches prior to now two seasons.
His breaks from midfield may give the Spaniards one thing completely different to consider.
Mount has missed current video games with damage however is match to start out his first sport since February after a few appearances as sub.
The 24-year-old will not lack for motivation. He has labored beneath Lampard earlier than at Chelsea and Derby and their relationship is robust.
Mason Mount scores in opposition to Real Madrid within the 2021 Champions League semi-finals
Mount has an ideal alternative to point out his switch market suitors what he can do
With his contract up in the summertime, this an ideal store window to point out Liverpool and different suitors what he can do.
Courtois is arguably the perfect goalkeeper in world soccer. He gained two Premier League titles with Chelsea – displacing membership legend Petr Cech as No 1 – and made key saves within the first leg, most notably one-against-one with Joao Felix.
Mount hasn’t had a superb season however is confirmed on the massive stage. It was his help for Kai Havertz that gained the 2021 Champions League ultimate in opposition to Manchester City.
In that yr’s semi-final, his poacher’s end from contained in the six-yard field in opposition to Real Madrid accomplished Chelsea’s 3-1 win on mixture.
