Preparing for this clash with Chelsea was nerve-wracking. Despite Real Madrid’s offensive improvement this season, the specter of losing to Chelsea in the semi-finals last season still lingered. However, Karim Benzema defeated that specter in just three minutes, aided by a strong and focused performance from the entire team.
Unsurprisingly, Carlo Ancelotti opted for arguably the most balanced line-up he could bring to the game, with Fede Valverde on the right wing to add some much-needed pressing work-rate. Valverde produced another outstanding performance, just like against PSG, running from end to end of the pitch throughout the match.
The first half turned out to be a fast-paced and dangerous affair. Chelsea have created danger through a creative and aggressive Reece James. He was positioned very high on the pitch so his dribbles and crosses into the box would have the most impact.
However, James’ aggressive positioning had a major downside: centre-back Andreas Christensen was isolated against Vinicius and Benzema. And the pair wouldn’t think twice about destroying the Danish defender (and future Barcelona signing).
Vinicius fired the first warning shot against Christensen, hitting the post in the 10th minute after a great counterattack. A FIFA-like 1-2 combination ensued in the 24th minute, with Benzema passing in for Vinicius and charging diagonally into the box to receive Vinicius’ cross and head in a spectacular first goal. Three minutes later, Luka Modric delivered another precise cross to Benzema, who slotted in between Christensen and Thiago Silva to score the second goal.
After trading more attacks back and forth, Chelsea controlled the game in the latter part of the first half and their efforts were rewarded after another Reece James incursion from Jorginho delivered a spot-on cross to Kai Havertz, who beat Carvajal with the bat to score the goal 1-2.
In the second half, Tuchel adapted, replacing Christensen and switching to a back four with Ziyech on right wing. This nullified the threat posed by Vinicius, who was now at a numerical disadvantage against Chelsea defenders, while James and Ziyech stayed behind to defend him more often.
However, Karim Benzema, the bane of Champions League goalkeepers, doesn’t care about your tactical adjustments. Two minutes into the second half, he forced a mistake from Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger in pressing to score the third of his hat-trick. Another legendary night for the French striker.
The rest of the half saw no more shots from Real Madrid and Los Blancos conceded possession and initiative to Chelsea. Ancelotti simply renewed the eleven with Camavinga, Ceballos and Bale, while Nacho came on for an injured Militao. Chelsea beat Real Madrid 11-1 in the second half but despite Tuchel’s substitutions they failed to score another goal, with Lukaku once again looking a far cry from the Serie A killer we’ve seen in previous seasons. Courtois helped with some great interventions, including a stunning save against an Azpilicueta shot from outside the box in the 50th minute.
All in all, the second half of the game was nerve-wracking, but the end result should please any Real Madrid fan.
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