Real Madrid versus Chelsea, a rematch of last year. Both teams are in a completely different frame of mind

Real Madrid will take on Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, having knocked out the Spanish giant in the semi-finals last year. However, the two teams enter this year’s double-header in a different frame of mind. Who will do better?

Real Madrid is the king of the Champions League. It has won it thirteen times and is the only team in history to have defended it twice. But after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, it has been looking a bit shaky and has had some poor seasons.

Still, he had a lot of confidence at Chelsea last year. But Thomas Tuchel took the opponents by surprise with his active defence and advanced to the final after a 2: 0 home win.

And it is the German coach that Real must fear. Tuchel has never lost against the Spanish giant, neither on the Chelsea bench nor on the PSG bench. Los Blancos players are technically better equipped, have more experience and bigger names. But Chelsea have a system that works, and it was the system that knocked Real out last year.

Although it is true that Chelsea is not as strong this year as it was last year. It is losing quite a lot, its performances are not as convincing. Still, she is an extremely strong opponent. No one wanted Chelsea out of Madrid, as Toni Kroos said himself.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have moved forward a lot since the last time they met. While last year they struggled with a lot of injuries, often having to play a game with 11-13 players, this year is a different story. Just remember how Zidane had to experiment, for example, in the quarter-final against Liverpool he had to put central midfielder Fede Valverde at right-back.

In the rematch against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the injured Sergio Ramos, who hadn’t kicked a ball for two months before, also came on after a long injury, Ferland Mendy. Vinicius Junior played right half-back and Eden Hazard seemed to have forgotten that he no longer plays for Chelsea.

A stronger Real Madrid

Real Madrid are completely different this year. Tremendous attacking power in the pair of Benzema – Vinícius, who have combined for 51 goals this season. It’s just that the experienced trio of CKM, i.e. Casemiro – Kroos – Modric worked well until about February, but in the last month or so a slight crisis, maybe an overload, has fallen on them and there could be a problem against the dynamic Kante and co.

That’s why there is speculation in Spain that a more energetic Federico Valverde will step in, with Kroos, who has been out of form lately, probably taking his place. However, the Uruguayan runner could also start on the right wing, which is a more likely option.

The Merengues’ main strength lies in their illegibility. Against PSG in the semi-final, Real were the worse team for the first three halves. With the last quarter left to play, the Parisians returned to the pitch with a 2-0 lead and the feeling that nothing could happen. But it can, especially at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Wherever he went, Karim Benzema came, scored a hat-trick in a matter of moments and it was all over. So what if Real didn’t outplay their opponents, they just managed to arrange themselves to win.

The two teams had different attitudes towards the quarter-finals. Chelsea got a slap in the face from Brentford, who they lost to 1:4 at home. Real did beat Celta Vigo 2:1, but it wasn’t the same and they struggled.

There were big gaps in the game defensively and Alaba and Milito need to be much more careful. Anyway, the game promises to be a thrilling spectacle, it’s probably the most attractive quarter-final.

Moreover, old friends are returning to Stamford Bridge, although only one will start. Thibaut Courtouis has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in goal for Real Madrid, while Eden Hazard is out of surgery and is certain to miss the game. Former Real Madrid player and Modric’s compatriot Mateo Kovacic will play for Chelsea.

Source: UEFA