Real Madrid vs Chelsea news: Champions League holders have big task to win quarter-final
Chelsea have it all to do to make the Champions League semi-finals as they travel to Real Madrid after losing 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg.
Travelling to the Bernabeu and overturning a 3-1 deficit is a massive ask for Thomas Tuchel and his Chelsea side.
Not many would expect the Blues to reign in Spain on Tuesday night and make the Champions League semi-finals, but don't bet against them.
Six goals at Southampton, Timo Werner looking in very lively form, and Tuchel fired up like a man on a mission to get his hands on the trophy they won 11 months ago. Anything's possible.
Chelsea may have to keep Karim Benzema in their back pocket after his hat-trick in London though, and may have wished their hosts had a tougher build-game game after they brushed Getafe aside at the weekend. They've also won six of their last seven Champions League games.
When: Tuesday 12 April, 20:00 BST
Where: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
How to watch: BT Sport 2
Who is the referee for Real Madrid vs Chelsea
Games refereed by Szymon Marciniak in 2021/22
Recent form
Chelsea's 3-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid came on the back of a shocking 4-1 loss against Brentford at Stamford Bridge as well. It's been an eventful few weeks for the club on and off the pitch with their impending sale from owner Roman Abramovich.
Taking in the Santiago Bernabeu. 🏟#UCL pic.twitter.com/rZK4iEqfT1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 11, 2022
Players in form
With Romelu Lukaku out injured and off form, Tuchel will have been desperate for his Chelsea strikeforce to start firing. Mason Mount scored a double and produced fireworks all afternoon from midfield against the Saints on Saturday.
Real Madrid have the spine in their team in fab form. Thibaut Courtois between the sticks, Casemiro pushing forward and patrolling in midfield, and there's the energy and trickery of Luka Modric.
Past meetings
Less than a week ago Chelsea's hopes of defending their Champions League crown all but evaporated thanks to the heading of Benzema in a 3-1 defeat.
Chelsea have the edge in the head-to-heads, though. Three wins and two draws in six matches.
Only last season the Blues held Real to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu and then won 2-0 at home in the Champions League semi-final.
We then have to go back to 1998 when Chelsea won 1-0 in the European Super Cup. Before that was a two-legged affair in 1971 in the European Cup Winners Cup.
Managers' thoughts
"It is one of the biggest challenges to perform away at the Bernabeu," Thomas Tuchel said ahead of the visit to Spain. "It is even more difficult if you have to earn a certain result, if you need to win with a minimum of two goals or better or maybe a three-goal difference.
"That makes it almost impossible and very, very difficult, but still it is worth trying. We need nothing else than a fantastic script that we want to be able to overcome this."
Together. 💙#UCL pic.twitter.com/sqM0NE97Sm
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 11, 2022
Asked about Tuchel's claim that Chelsea's Champions League tie was already over, Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday: "I don't know, everyone has their opinion.
Predicted teams
Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao is suspended and former Blue Eden Hazard is still injured but striker Luka Jovic is available again.
Chelsea have ongoing fitness concerns with Ben Chilwell still out, alongside Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from an Achilles problem.
Romelu Lukaku misses the trip (Achilles) but theree's better news on Cesar Azpilicueta who's tested negative for Covid. Kai Havertz, Mason Mount and Thiago Silva came off early at Southampton. Will Timo Werner's grand display see him chosen ahead of Hakim Ziyech or Christian Pulisic? We shall see...
Real Madrid vs Chelsea prediction
Think this is going to be a drab 0-0? Don't think so. Tuchel is not going to leave this contest without a fight and his side have rediscovered their form in front of goal.
At least one goal, probably two, from the visitors. BUT....they need two to just get back into this game and if they're a little too cavalier in front of the vociferous Real fans they could be suspect at the back - especially if a French striker has anything to do with it.
And if they keep Karim Benzema quiet, there's Vinicius Jr to think about. Chelsea won't go without a bang but it's unlikely to be anything but a return to the semi-finals for Carlo Ancelotti's boys.