Jose Mourinho has made his feelings very clear on two of his former clubs meeting in the Champions League quarter-finals once more as Chelsea drew Real Madrid yet again. Having gone years without facing each other this is now the third time in a row that the two sides will face-off in the competition.
Chelsea got the better of serial winners Madrid in the 2021 semi-finals without fans in the ground on their way to winning the trophy, beating their opponents 3-1 on aggregate. Los Blancos then got their revenge with a frantic 5-4 win over two legs, coming out on top in extra time.
The games have had a bit of everything from late drama and stunning hat-tricks to solo goals and major disappointment. Now the reigning champions of Europe play the pride of London once more.
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The history between the two makes it all the more intriguing with Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger set to play at Stamford Bridge again whilst it is a meeting with former manager Carlo Ancelotti as well. Mourinho himself managed both sides too and the fan favourite at SW6, linked with the hot seat there whilst Graham Potter was underfire last month, has made his allegiances clear.
“There is a club that is close to my heart and there is a manager who is my friend,” Mourinho said after more European success himself with Roma in the Europa League. "Real Madrid are great and Carlo Ancelotti is great! Hopefully they will go on in this way to win the final.”
Admittedly the draw hadn't yet paired Madrid and Chelsea together at the time and Mourinho's one-sided feelings may well have changed should he have known the fate. Nevertheless, the snub from Mourinho to the Blues may hurt fans who were clamouring over his old quotes previously stating his love for the London club.
Meanwhile Ancelotti has also delivered a message, revealing how Chelsea helped his new side to beat Liverpool in the last round. "We have had the experience of last year against Chelsea," the Italian said before the 1-0 second leg win. "We had a three-goal advantage, that is why we are and were favourites, but the other fact is that we have to play another 90 minutes.
"To do that, we have to play with the same attitude as the first leg. We have the advantage, but we can't think of managing the game and the result that we had, we have to play 90 minutes at the top." There was no such drop-off this season with a dominant 6-2 victory securing progression.
Now it is down to Chelsea to make more history in the competition as they attempt to knockout the holders and make their fans dream once more.
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