Kepa: We need to play well against Real, but again we don’t need lifetime performances

Chelsea lost 0:2 to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. They were the inferior team at the Santiago Bernabéu, but according to Kepa Arrizabalaga, they may not give the performance of their lives in the rematch.

Chelsea are not in a good frame of mind. Less than a month ago, they changed coach for the second time this season when Frank Lampard came in for Graham Potter, replacing Thomas Tuchel.

Out of the last 6 games, the Blues have lost four times and drawn twice and have three defeats in a row under Lampard so far. It started with Wolves, then Chelsea fell short to Real Madrid and at the weekend they fell to Brighton.

In order to reach the Champions League quarter-final rematch in extra time, they not only have to score two goals but also not score once, which seems like a bigger problem given the leaky defensive performance in the first leg. But according to Kepa, a performance of a lifetime is not needed.

“It won’t be easy, but I don’t think we have to give a performance of a lifetime. Of course we have to play well, but we must not think about it too much. We have to go step by step, defend and attack well,” said the Chelsea goalkeeper.

At the same time, when asked if Chelsea have a plan to stop Vinícius, the Spanish goalkeeper replied that they must not focus on just one player.

“If we try to concentrate on just one player, it will open spaces for others and that can hurt us. We have to push them into their own half, control their counter-attacks, stay on the ball and create chances, ” Kepa added.

Chelsea almost managed a turnaround last year when they first lost to Real 1:3, but went 3:0 up in the return leg. But Los Blancos took the match into extra time, where Benzema decided the game.

Source: Chelsea, UEFA