The most attractive quarter-final of the LM is here! Which line-ups will Chelsea and Real Madrid play in?

A crucial game for Chelsea and Real Madrid. The Champions League quarter-finals will decide whether they can consider their journey through the millionaire competition a good one or a very successful one. What line-ups will they field?

Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel relies on a 5-2-3 formation in important games, with a 3-4-3 in attack. Nothing is likely to change that in this match, especially since that tactic worked brilliantly against Real Madrid last year.

Thus, Azpilicueta would operate in the midfield trio with Silva and Rüdiger, with James and Alonso playing on the flanks. In the middle of the midfield, N’golo Kante is extremely important and his physicality will cover a lot of space.

Jorginho could come in next to him, but Kovacic is more expected to be deployed, as he fits this system better and also rested at the weekend.

The attacking trio is a question mark. Kai Havertz is almost certain to get a spot on the top and Masoun Mount shouldn’t be missing either. And a third to the bunch? Probably a choice between Tim Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

But there is also the possibility that Tuchel will switch to a 5-3-2 formation and add a central midfielder instead of one striker to the midfield. This is how Chelsea started in Lille.

Chelsea’s likely line-up

Mendy
James – Azpilicueta – Silva – Rüdiger – Alonso
Kante – Kovacic
Mount – Havertz – Werner

Real Madrid

Estimating Real Madrid’s line-up under Carlo Ancelotti is not such a tough task. The Italian strategist likes to rely on his proven players and if he doesn’t have to, he doesn’t change anything. So practically the only two question marks are on the right side, but even those should be answered.

It is not certain whether Dani Carvajal or Lucas Vázquez will start at right back. The former is the clear number one, but he hasn’t been in good form in recent months, burning like paper in the PSG match against Mbappe.

At the weekend against Celta Vigo, Vázquez started in the starting line-up, with Carvajal replacing him in the 61st minute. But rather Ancelotti spared him and the Spanish international should start in the starting line-up.

The second question is on the right wing. Marco Asensio and Rodrygo are not giving ideal performances, Gareth Bale is no longer counted on in Madrid. That’s why the Spanish media is convinced that midfielder Federico Valverde, who played in this position occasionally under Zidane, will start on the right side.

There are two levels to this. Ancelotti needs to get Valverde into the line-up at all costs. With his energy, movement, pressing and incredible dedication he is extremely valid for the team, something like Kanté for Chelsea. At the moment, he is in the best form of all the central midfielders, but Ancelotti will not put in his favourite trio Casemiro – Modric – Kroos.

It comes in so handy for him that a place opens up for Valverde on the right. Real can then also move to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with the Uruguayan moving to the sub and Benzema and Vinícius operating at the tip. It may look almost crazy, but Real Madrid fans are clamoring for Valverde in particular to start in the starting lineup, and it practically doesn’t matter where. He is the key to a good performance and progression.

Real Madrid’s likely line-up

Courtois
Carvajal – Militao – Alaba – Mendy
Kroos – Casemiro – Modric
Valverde – Benzema – Vinícius

Source: UEFA