Ben Chilwell has apologised to his Chelsea team-mates and supporters after his red card in the Blues' Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid. Frank Lampard's team were a goal behind to the European champions when Chilwell hauled Rodrygo to the ground and was subsequently sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Karim Benzema put Carlo Ancelotti's side in front around the half hour mark tapping home from close-range after Kepa Arrizabalaga denied Vinicius Jr. Chelsea started the second half well but suffered a double blow around the hour mark with Chilwell's dismissal coming just minutes before Kalidou Koulibaly was withdrawn due to injury.
Following his red card, which means he will be suspended for the second leg at Stamford Bridge, Chilwell has broken his silence on social media. He wrote: "Slept on it, and just want to apologise to my team mates and the fans. I made the decision in a split second last night and it was a mistake. I always give everything for the team and i will continue to do so. Thank you for the support *blue heart emoji*.
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The 26-year-old was rested over the weekend for Chelsea's Premier League defeat to Wolves with Marc Cucurella starting in his place on the left of a back four. For the clash in Spain though, Lampard reverted to a back five with Chilwell and Reece James as the wing-backs.
Following his sending off, Chilwell will now be suspended for the Stamford Bridge second leg and Lampard could be faced with a double defensive dilemma if Koulibaly's injury is serious.
This weekend Chelsea return to west London for a Premier League against European-chasing Brighton who will be looking to do the double over the team that took their manager Graham Potter earlier this season. In his first return to Amex Stadium, Potter watched his Chelsea team lose 4-1 with Roberto De Zerbi getting his first league victory since taking over.
De Zerbi was shown a red card for the touchline altercations involving the Tottenham and Brighton dugouts but an FA statement confirmed neither he or Cristian Stellini would face a ban.
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