Carlo Ancelotti has revealed Real Madrid will only be without two players for the Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Chelsea on Tuesday. The Blues are trailing 3-1 after a disappointing defeat last week at Stamford Bridge.
A sublime hat-trick from Karim Benzema was the difference in the first-leg, with Chelsea's only goal coming through Kai Havertz in the first-half. Thomas Tuchel has it all to do as the Blues look to spark a comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 on Saturday as Los Blancos prepared for the second-leg in the best possible way, with goals from Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez. After the game, Ancelotti was asked about the fitness of his squad, with Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal all missing out.
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On Mendy, Ancelotti said, via Real Madrid's official website: "He [Mendy] had an overload, and we preferred not to risk it. At the last minute, we [also] had a problem with Mariano [Diaz]. Apart from [Eder] Militao [suspended], I think everyone can be in the Chelsea game aside [Eden] Hazard, who is recovering from his operation."
After last week's disappointing defeat at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel seemed to give up on the tie, judging by his post-match comments. The Chelsea boss accepted the tie was over with his side trailing 3-1 going into the decisive game at the Bernabeu.
He was asked to expand on those comments following Chelsea's 6-0 win at Southampton on Saturday and whether or not he had changed his mind. Tuchel replied: "The question was if it is still alive. I said probably not. The task does not change.
"It is still a big task and like I said after Madrid, let's have the response now and not only in Madrid. Let's have the response today because it was already too much about goals conceded and lack of concentration and everything that came with these two defeats.
"Now we have the result and performance and this is good because I am sure that lifts everyone's spirit, but the task is huge. Let's be honest.
"We are always up for a competition, we are competitive, we will try to win the game and then see what is going on. Everything is possible in football, but let's be realistic - it is still Bernabeu and there is still a crowd there and an opponent very different today. But it is the best way to prepare."
