What’s left for Chelsea this season? Joe Cole has just suggested that some players might be contacting their travel agents to plan their summer holidays. After that performance, one that David Hytner calls “toothless”, they’ll have plenty of soul searching to get through between now and then.
The report from Stamford Bridge is in and with that I’ll sign off.
Thanks to everyone for the comments and correspondence. Hope you enjoyed it.
Til next time..
Here’s Conor Gallagher:
We played well and had good chances. We had more and better chances than they did. But football is about taking your chances. Of course we’re gutted.
That’s basically what wins you games [taking chances] and we haven’t got that at the minute. You need goals to win games. They did that and we didn’t.
They were able to catch us on the counter a couple of times which was the risk. There was a lot of improvements from recent weeks.
Full-Time: Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid
Chelsea have lost four games in a row for the first time since 1993. They crash out of the Champions League after a 4-0 aggregate loss as the current holders, Real Madrid, march on.
If that all sounds like it was inevitable, believe, it wasn’t. Certainly not at half-time when Chelsea looked the better team. Or even when Kante had a shot cleared off the line by Militao with the score at 0-0.
But then Madrid, as they so often do in this big European clashes, picked their moments and carved Chelsea apart to hand Rodrygo two tap ins and continue their love affair with this tournament.
Chelsea had a lot of puff but ultimately not enough quality when it mattered. Courtois made some good saves but too many shots were straight at him.
Real barely left third gear and will, barring a catastrophic collapse tomorrow, meet Manchester City in the last four.
More reaction to come.
Updated
90+3 min: Ceballos shoots after a break. Kepa saves. The final whistle blows and a few boos ring out.
90+1 min: Madrid are still pinging it about and work it all the way to Vinicius Junior on the edge of the box over on the left. He loses it and then commits a foul. Loads of empty seats all around Stamford Bridge.
90 min: We’ll have three more minutes,.
YELLOW! Chelsea (Mudryk, 89)
Just a lazy hack from behind on Modric. Deserved yellow.
87 min: Was that offside? Yes. Was it beautiful? Yes it was. That ball against the grain from Valverde to Vinicus Junior was just sublime. So too was Kepa’s save.
Up the other end Mudryk is offside but he misses a straight forward shot, shunting it wide with hitting the target would have been easier.
85 min: Chelsea are still pressing but Madrid are playing around them currently. That goal has really sucked the life out of the home team. Vinicius Junior can’t quite link up with Valverde who has shone since Benzema left the pitch.
83 min: Kepa makes a good grab at a cross from Valverde. Chelsea deserve something from this game.
82 min: Mudryk shoots from inside the area on the left. Guess where the shot went? Yup, straight at Courtois. He’s a brilliant goal keeper. It needs something better than that to beat him.
82 min: A double change for Madrid. Nacho on for Carvahal and Asensio replaces the double goal scorer, Rodrygo.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (Rodrygo, 80)
What. A. Goal! Game over. Tie over. Goodnight Chelsea.
This is just sublime. It’s a tap in for Rodrygo and he’s been set up on a silver platter by Valverde who has carved Chelsea open. Vincius Junior feeds Valverde to the edge of the area and the Uruguayan then dances round three defenders and then the goalkeeper before playing a simple pass for the Brazilian to send his team to the last four.
Updated
78 min: Modric gives the ball away and Sterling has the ball but he manages to run out of room and Madrid have a throw. The current champions haven’t won this competition 14 times by luck. They’re now starting to tighten their grip on things.
Would Ancelotti turn the Blues into champions?
Kári Tulinius thinks so:
“Hello Daniel. With the caveat that Chelsea’s assortment of randoms is nobody’s idea of a smartly assembled squad, I can’t help but think that if the managers had been in the opposite dugouts, Real Madrid wouldn’t have had such an easy time of this tie. Best in the business, indeed.”
75 min: Both teams make a change. Havertz off for Mount and Kroos makes way for Ceballos.
75 min: Big chance for Real Madrid is snuffed out by Chalobah and Mudryk. Vinicius Junior was away but the Chelsea duo tracked him down all the way inside the Chelsea box. Mudryk then gallops up field and takes a shot that’s aimed at the top corner but sails over the bar. Brilliant end to end stuff.
73 min: Lovely play from Modric and Valverde opens space down the right. Valverde then launches a ball across the field and Madrid have a promising attack brewing. But Chelsea break and Joao Felix is leading a four on three. Oh, that is disappointing. Spoiled for choices, he passes straight to a man in white.
72 min: Joao Felix delivers a decent looking out-swinging corner but that man again, MIlitao, rises highest to header it away.
70 min: A tired looking Benzema makes way for Tchouameni. The Ballon d’Or winner wasn’t at the races today but still didn’t look happy getting the hook.
Updated
69 min: Penalty shout. Havertz loses control of it in the box and then goes down after light contact from Modric behind him. But it’s so soft and the ref tells him to get to his feet.
68 min: Sterling makes an immediate impact by dancing into the box on the right. It squirts to James who shoots first time but Militao – who has been immense – stands in the way to block it out for a corner.
66 min: Triple sub. Cucurella, Enzo Fernadnez and Gallagher make way for Sterling, Joao Felix and Mudryk.
“At what stage can we tell Frank that he’s fooling nobody and should take a clippers to what’s left of his hair”
This was put to me by Matthew Lysaght. As a bald man who held on for too long, I’d always recommend getting the clippers out!
65 min: Now Benzema shoots straight at the ‘keeper. Vincius Junior wriggles in the box and lays off a short pass to his skipper. He has to shoot quickly and the side-footed effort is tame.
65 min: Enzo Fernandez shoots but it’s once again straight at the ‘keeper. Cucurella did really well to keep the ball alive at the back post by leaping into the night sky and nodding it back the edge of the box. Enzo then unleashed a firm shot couldn’t find a corner.
64 min: James continues to be a one man wrecking ball. His latest charge only gets so far as MIlitao but he bulldozed past two others before that. Real Madrid now defending deep.
63 min: Looks like Sterling, Joao Felix and Mudryk all coming on.
61 min: Chelsea need to a get a move on here and Lampard is starting to empty his bench. A few players are warming up.
59 min: Another shot straight at Courtois, this time from Gallagher. They won’t lie down.
Play is switched to the right and Vincius Junior skips past Chalobah down the flank and has an uninterrupted run towards goal. He has options. Rather than shoot he plays it across the face of goal. The chance looks like its gone but Rodrygo composes himself, takes a touch and then lifts it into the net from close range. Game over.
Updated
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Real Madrid (Rodrygo, 58)
Completely against the run of play. A sucker punch from the best in the business and killing dreams. Real Madrid are surely through the last four.
Updated
56 min: Havertz dances into the box and shoots with his left but it’s straight at Courtois who has an easy save. That was another chance. Not quite as clear cut as the Kante chances but he had a clean sight of goal from just inside the area.
55 min: Kroos slides in and takes out Kovacic. The atmosphere is starting to get heated. We’ve got a game here.
54 min: Reece James is having an absolute blinder. Every time he gets on the ball he’s making something happen. Now playing on the left hi darts infield and finds Enzo Fernandez. The midfielder unleashes a daisy cutter that’s always going across the face of the goal.
53 min: Madrid break and break well but the final ball is an odd one with Benzema making a strange run, almost consciously away from where he should have been. Chelsea break themselves and they’re fuming as Militao fouls Chalobah. He’s on a yellow card remember and Lampard and his players are appealing for a second. Not a bookable offence in my opinion but a good opportunity to cross from the left.
52 min: Oh Kante with another chance! His block from close range is blocked on the line. It’s a cross from the right and Gallagher wins the second ball that falls for Kante. He shoots but there’s a body dressed in white in the way. Militao I think but he wouldn’t have known too much about it.
Updated
YELLOW! Chelsea (James, 50)
James catches Camavinga and that looks nasty. He’s stayed down. It’s not career threatening by any means but those hurt when you make contact just above the heel..
49 min: To confirm, Rudiger is on for Alaba.
48 min: The short corner is eventually cleared by Thiago Silva. Chelsea can’t get on the ball and Kovacic fouls Kroos in the middle of the park.
Madrid made a half-time switch by nringing on Rudiger. I can’t quite figure out for who just yet. Stand by.
Updated
47 min: Kroos lifts an awkward ball to the back post. It’s aimed at Benzema but instead its nudged behind for a corner.
45 min: Militao steps up from his line and dances past Kovacic before spreading the ball left. Fofana then upends Vincius Junior. Oooh, actually, looked like he slipped. If Madrid score from this free kick, well…
And they’re back at it. The most important 45 minutes of Chelsea’s season coming up. They need two goals. They’ve shown they can do it.
Once again I’m giving Justin Madson the final word before the restart. Here’s his retort to Chris Lambert from earlier:
“A lot of the money (particularly in January) was spent on young talent that needs to develop. Boehly didn’t go out and buy all the biggest names from all the biggest teams, or get bargains like 60 million for Haaland. To expect them to come in and be automatic world beaters is unreasonable. There was always a high probability that the players were going to need time to adjust, particularly with all the managerial shenanigans. I’m not saying I’m thrilled with where things are, absolutely not. But I don’t think the spending spree will prove to be as unproductive as the general internet fandom thinks it has.
As to the game: it’s taken some amazing work from Courtois (boooooo) to keep Chelsea out. Positive 45 for Chelsea. Kante proving he’s not a ghost, though I wish that chance had fallen to literally anyone else.”
I’m getting a lot of correspondence from Everton fans who are understandably upset about some of the daggers shared on this blog earlier.
That’s my bad. I should have kept the chat exclusively centred on Chelsea and Madrid tonight. I thought it was just a bit o bantz but appreciate that it can get emotionally charged.
For what it’s worth (and believe me, it ain’t worth much) I hope Everton stay up.
Please don’t ask me which clubs I’d be happy to see relegated.
Just a reminder to anyone just joining us, Real Madrid are 2-0 up on aggregate. That means Chelsea need at least two goals. Unless of course Real get another one.
“Where has this Chelsea team been all season?” asks Dean Kinsella.
“Reece James easilly the most outstanding player on the park. The Madridistas are going to have to come up with something to nullify him.”
Agreed. He’s been the best player on the park. Let’s hope his hammy holds up.
Updated
Phew. that was fun. Really good from the home side who have shown that they’re so much better than the season they’re having. Some reaction and bits to come…
Half-Time: Chelsea 0-0 Real Madrid
Chelsea are still in this but on another night they’d be all square. Unquestionably they should have at least one goal as Cucurella’s golden opportunity was swatted aside by a brutally good piece of goal keeping from Courtois, charging off his line to smother a close range shot. Earlier in the piece, Kante skewed his shot from a bouncing ball. One wonders what might have been had those two chances landed at the feet of anyone else.
The visitors had a chance too with Vinicius Junior mistiming his side footed effort from a fizzing Modric cross to the back post. If that went in that would probably be that but Chelsea are still alive and showed enough quality in the first half to win it.
45+1 min: HOW IS IT 0-0!? What a save from Courtois. James’ cross from the right goes all the way to Cucurella at the far post. He controls, steadies and shoots but the behemoth Real Madrid goal keeper is off his line and making himself massive, saving with his outstretched hand. Wonderful keeping but that really ought to be 1-0.
Updated
45 min: Two more minutes will be played this half.
44 min: A chance to put a cross in from a free kick for Real but Alaba’s delivery is weak. For all the quality tonight the set pieces have been pretty poor.
43 min: Chelsea have a corner with Cucurella swinging it in. Benzema makes a mess of his clearance so the Chelsea man gets another chance. He goes short and sends another in-swinger from a different angle. Courtois catches it and launches a counter that ends with Benzema volleying at the back post but he can’t wrap his foot around it. It’s goalless but this has been a lot of fun.
41 min: Oh wow, big chance for Madrid. Mordic on the right puts in a wonderful ball to the back post where Vinicus Junior gets ahead of Fofana. The smart money is on him scoring but it skims off his shins and out for a goal kick.
41 min: Enzo Fernandez (I think that’s the first time I’ve mentioned him) plays a delicious looking through ball Gallagher can’t reach it.
40 min: Cucurella’s left footed in-swinger is nudged on by Havertz. In fact it hits his back somehow. Still, it’s diverted towards the back post but Gallagher can’t reach it so it’ll be a goal kick.
Updated
39 min: James seems OK as he jinks past a tackler and plays a neat one-two with Fofa. He’s now playing with Kante down the right and the little midfielder wins a corner with some aggressive play at the byline. Chelsea starting to find a higher gear.
38 min: James’ chance to slip Kante down the right. Again a cross doesn’t come to anything. James is back defending and intercepts a through ball from Modric but he’s holding his hamstring. That is not ideal. He’s been Chelsea’s leading man this evening.
36 min: Good from Chelsea who looks composed on the ball. Kante and Thiago Silva both with expert touches. Kante then puts James down the right on the overlap. He crosses near the byline but can’t get it past the first defender. How is this team 11th in the Premier League? They’ve genuinely been very good.
YELLOW! Chelsea (Cucurella, 34)
No complaints there. A heavy touch means Rodrygo can break from deep. Cucurella was having none of it and upended him as he was climbing through the gears.
Updated
33 min: Another save from Kepa. Modric’s late surge into the box is dangerous as he collects on the gallop. But he’s forced wide and forced to shoot. It’s on target but Kepa is always going to save that. It’s out for a corner and Chelsea do well to clear. More breathing room is provided from Rodrygo who needlessly fouls Cucurella.
31 min: Gallagher heads it over. it wouldn’t have counted as there was an offside but another slick move. Thiago Silva with a long diagonal from just inside Madrid’s half. It’s for Cucurella who is offside. His cross to Gallagher is loopy and the midfielder can’t get his head over it.
Up the other end, Benzema fluffs a shot that dribbles to Kepa.
29 min: James is everywhere. He collects with his heels on the perimeter but cuts infield and wriggles past two before laying it off. It’s worked to Gallagher and then Cucurella but once again the cross from the left is too deep. A poor cross or not enough bodies in the mixer?
27 min: Benzema plays a one-two with Rodrygo who then slides Vinicius Junior down the left. He runs clear towards goal and shoots hard, but straight at Kepa. I think there was an offside there but the ‘keeper didn’t know it at the time. That was a string hand from the Chelsea shot stopper.
26 min: Kroos gets clattered but it’s play on. Chelsea are snapping with greater ferocity at the heels of their guests. Eventually Madrid get a free kick after Thiago Silva goes through the back of Benzema on the half way line. Chelsea will be happy with that passage.
25 min: Kante wins the ball back in midfield and keeps it moving to James. Neat work in the middle of the park has it spread to the left where Gallagher crosses but it’s too long. Looked like a decent ball but no one gambled with a run to the far post.
It’s a good point. Perhaps he’s saving him for a second half flourish?
@danielgallan Hi from Norway. I know Lampard has been focused on he lower areas of the PL this season, but surely they have seen some vids of Madrid. They obviously didn't see the Shakhtar Donetsk game where Mudryk terrified them. Surely he would be worth a go?
— Brendan Large (@brendanlarge) April 18, 2023
23 min: Yet again a Chelsea set piece ball was too short. Frustrating for the home side. Militao is down clutching his ankle. I’m sure he’ll be fine.
YELLOW! Real Madrid (Militao, 22)
A needless challenge from behind with Chelsea going nowhere has given the home side a chance to cross and landed one of the Madrid centre backs in the naughty book.
Updated
Folks, don’t shoot the messenger, but here’s more love-hate Chelsea bantz from our readers:
“Not sure how it’s “harsh” to wade in on the fact that Chelsea have spent 600 actual million pounds sterling in order to have the Arsenal-reject edition of Aubameyang as their no.9 and be behind Fulham in the league. Criticism is baked into that price when the result is this sh*t”
That’s from Chris Lambert.
19 min: BANG! Rodrygo caught all of that one and smashed the side of the post from an acute angle. Kepa probably had that covered but that was fiercely struck from inside the area to the left of the goal. Neat interplay before that with Modric involved was a warning to Chelsea. All it’ll take is a flash of brilliance and Rodrygo almost provided that.
Quick correspondence from Tim Woods as Madrid settle on the ball:
“While I’d agree with Duncan Edwards about Everton going down, if he thinks we all want a United comeback v Sevilla, he’s wrong. Two own goals in the last five minutes was one of my highlights of the season - which, as a Liverpool fan, have been slightly harder to come by this time around.”
17 min: James is across to take this and send in an in-swinger with his right foot. But it’s short and Militao meets it on the half volley and smashes it up field. It comes right back and Thiago Silva is still up there, knocking the ball back across the face of the gaol with his head. But Madrid tidy up and Courtois gets his humungous gloves on it.
16 min: Chelsea on the front foot now, really playing with a swagger. Havertz coming short, Gallagher with deft touches, Cucurella winning a corner on the left. Really good.
15 min: James is looking sharp on the right win. He’s picked out again – maybe the fifth time – but on this occasion Vinicius Junior tracks back and makes sure the ball trickles out for a goal kick. That’s one way to keep the Madrid winger quiet.
13 min: James handballs inside the area. That was a hard one to control after Chalobah slipped Havertz behind the Madrid defence and towards the byline. His dinked chip back across goal skimmed off the surface and James used his forearm to bring it down. Good move though.
12 min: Modric gives the ball away again. That’s twice in 12 minutes.
10 min: Kante misses from right in front! Of all the midfielders for that to fall to, why was it Kante? Still, he should have done better. It begins with a brilliant ball to James out wide and the cross to Havertz is deflected back to Kante who swipes at a bouncing ball but skews it wide when he could have put it anywhere. He could have even taken a touch. Huge chance.
Updated
9 min: Boos ring out as Courtois gets the ball. A rare loose ball from Modric has the Gallagher excited but he’s closed down quickly.
A ‘quick’ one here from Justin Madson regarding the hate for the Blues this evening:
“I have some qualms about some of these critiques. What lineup doesn’t include a false nine with this Chelsea squad? Aubaumeyang has been poor every time he plays, to the point that acquisition just felt like a favor to his agent. Thiago Silva is not just a “38-year-old CB”, he is one of the best CBs in the entire world. The “ghost” of Kante is quite harsh, as he’s had limited action in the 5 matches since returning from a long-term injury. The point about Kai up front “alone” is addressed above. Though, I will not argue we are overstocked in some positions and understocked in others. We could talk about how 3 Chelsea academy players are starting, but then we’d be on about the Mount exclusion. Be as harsh as you like, there isn’t a Chelsea formation or squad that would not be second guessed at this point.”
7 min: Slick from Vinicius Junior. Militao sprays a pass all the way to the left flank where the wide man brings it under control, cuts onto his right foot and delivers a cross in the blink of an eye. It’s over hit but that was very sharp.
6 min: Benzema and Thiago Silva get in a tussle. That’ll be fun as this develops. All Real with the ball though Chelsea not pressing with great intent. Looking to snatch the ball and counter when the opportunity strikes perhaps.
5 min: Valverde can’t slide that pass in behind for Vinicus Junior but Real have the ball back immediately. They’re the definitely sharper of the two sides early on.
3 min: Madrid with natural width in Rodrygo. Looking to make the pitch wide. They’re keeping the ball with Militao looking assured on the ball and Kroos coming deep to help.
1 min: Gallagher can’t keep a ball under control but his position – all the way to the left – will be crucial. Not much width in this otherwise narrow line-up. Massive game for the youngster.
PEEEEEP! Away they go. Chelsea in all blue. Real Madrid in white with black socks. Looks a picture.
Not sure if this a bad omen but the stadium’s speakers, the ones that were supposed to blast out the Champions League anthem, have failed. Instead the players stood around looking rather glum.
Is it a Champions League game without the Champions League anthem? Is any of this real? Does any of it matter?
Just a minute or two til kick-off.
As the players make their way out onto the pitch, the final word before kick-off goes to Richard Hirst:
“I hope Chelsea get a good kicking tonight, not solely because I’m a Fulham supporter but also because it might serve as a warning to other billionaire owners. Fulham’s recruitment after our first two promotions was pretty dire, but for the Whites to be above Chelsea at this stage in the season shows how truly abysmally they have been run.”
Yeeowch! Not a lot of love for the Blues. Then again, they haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory on or off the pitch this season. A win here would certainly sort that out.
“Evening Daniel, I’ll keep this short and sweet”
My fingertips thank you, Simon Kirchin.
“I reckon there are goals in this Chelsea team. For Real Madrid.”
Cheeky.
Updated
Duncan Edwards is happy to sit on the fence and enjoy the footy. Good on ya mate. Let’s just hope for a good game.
“Hi Daniel Having won the first leg in second gear I’d be shocked if Real Madrid had to get into third to win again tonight. An early Chelsea brace might at least force that, and let’s be honest that’s what we all want to see - along with Everton finally relegated and United coming back to slam Sevilla - isn’t it, eh? Cheers!”
So much for fence sitting. Not sure many Toffee fans will agree. But yes to the rest.
Justin Winter has been in touch lambesting the Guardian’s coverage of both Chelsea and Manchester City. He calls us all “a bunch of w*****s” but signs off his mail with “kind regards”.
Keep it classy J-Dog.
Some formation news:
Chelsea with a back three and two wide men pushed high up the picth. According to UEFA’s teamsheet it’s a 3-3-3-1. Funky.
Real Madrid meanwhile are keeping it more compact as they’ll likely look to catch Chelsea’s free wheelers on the break. They’ve opted for a more pragmatic 4-3-3.
Updated
Callum Flintoff, or Mr Flintoff to his students, is hoping for a mircale:
“Believing in a miracle tonight. Lots of pupils who will never hear the end of this tomorrow if we can do the impossible.”
Mr Flintoff, if your Blues do pull it off, I hope you give your class an extended break and an early exit.
(If any of Mr Flintoff’s students are reading this, please do get in touch)
Jeff Sax has gone to bat for Lampard:
“His team selection is a big success amongst mbm fans, at least”
Though he also says that the Ancelotti v Lampard battle is one between a “professional and a clown”.
He then uses a word I’m not sure I’m allowed to type. But it’s Yiddish and rude, so you can figure it out.
Jeff, tell us what you really think.
What’s holding Chelsea back this season? Is it leadership? Or do they have too many players but none of serious quality?
Jacob Steinberg wades into this chicken-and-egg debate in a seriously thoughtful and switched on piece.
“Season on the line and Lampard fields one singular attacker and even that is a false nine. I despise chelsea and Lampard but that lineup is so insane that I have to root for it.”
No matter what happens tonight, Frank Lampard has turned Sean Orlowicz into a fan.
“Hi Daniel. Is it really worthwhile for Chelsea to even consider winning tonight as if they do and get through they’ll only have to go through the torture of two more legs against Man City??!”
If they get out of the frying pan they'd land straight in the fire, eh Nigel Moore. But it would be some mighty leap. So Worthing having a go I reckon.
“Hi Daniel,”
Hey Peter Oh. Good to hear from you.
“With these two managers in charge this starry European night has got a whiff of Everton about it, doesn’t it?”
That's about as close as the Toffees will get to European football.
This from David John Watton is presented in all its glory:
“Hi Daniel, you look a bit like if me and Rob Smyth had a baby - suspect there’s an MBM theme happening here.
Ringing endorsement of the £500m Chelsea have spent that they’re going into a do-or-die Champions League game against Madrid with an (admittedly outstanding) 38 year old centre back, the ghost of N’Golo Kante in the middle and Havertz up top on his own.
Not sure I’d be leaving six attacking players with a paper value of another couple of hundred million on the bench if I needed two goals, but maybe Frank has learnt something I don’t know whilst losing 11 of his past 12 games.
Rarely has a such an expensive squad been so overstocked in some positions and so thin in others.
Enjoy the match! Loving the blog.”
Love thst Dave. Cheers. Right you are on those unused riches. Not sure how I feel about being compared to your love child. But I'll take it as a compliment.
A few readers have commented on Chelsea’s attacking approach line-up tonight. After all, they’ve got nothing to lose. This could be their last game of any substance for the season. Might as well have a go.
“Well, that Chelsea line-up looks full of goals….” says Julien Menz. “Please excuse my weary cynicism. I’m a Chelsea fan.”
Frank Lampard’s pre-match thoughts
"One of my worst seasons was when we won the Champions League!" 🏆
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 18, 2023
"The players need to be aware of that. We have to believe!" 🙌
Frank Lampard gives his thoughts before a hugely important #UCL clash with Real Madrid...
🎙️ @mrjakehumphrey | @rioferdy5 | @themichaelowen pic.twitter.com/2A3KuPgnRB
Don Carlo back at the Bridge! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/9TEAQ9yWjm
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 18, 2023
Jacob Steinberg’s preview
Of course, as is so often the case with Chelsea, it’s not just the fate of a ball on our minds.
The Oligarch Files, as this sweeping investigation by Rob Davies and David Conn has been dubbed, shows the shocking links between the former owner, Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Putin.
Read part 1 below:
Here’s part 2:
Part 3 from Anna Isaac
And part 4:
Four changes for Chelsea from first leg
Will they make a difference? Well, Frank Lampard wouldn’t have made them if he thought they wouldn’t. Those are Chalobah for Koulibaly (injured), Cucurella for Chilwell (suspended), then Gallagher and Havertz for Sterling and Joao Felix.
Plenty of attacking talent on the bench so there should be no excuses tonight. They have to score twice. Possibly more if Real get one of their own. Nothing to lose.
Chelsea: Kepa, Fofana, Silva (c), Chalobah, James, Kovacic, Enzo, Kante, Cucurella, Gallagher, Havertz.
Replacements: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Hall, Chukwuemeka, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Zakaria, Mudryk, Pulisic, Sterling, Ziyech, Joao Felix.
Your Chelsea tonight! 🔵#UCL pic.twitter.com/juGCudNkZS
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 18, 2023
Real Madrid place faith in same XI
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Confident that the same players can turn over Chelsea yet again, Carlo Ancelotti has named the same team that won 2-0 in the opening leg.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Rodrygo, Benzema (c), Vinicius Junior.
Replacements: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Va;;ejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Odriozola, Lucas, Tchouameni, Cebalos, Rudiger, Mariano.
📋✅ Our starting 𝗫𝗜!
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 18, 2023
🆚 @ChelseaFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/j4sWVaOFQ0
Preamble
It’s not going to happen, right? I mean we can all agree that this isn’t going to happen. Opta’s ‘Supercomputer’ (whatever that is) reckons Real Madrid have a 40.6% chance of winning tonight. Considering a draw is one of three possible results, and that Chelsea need to overturn a 2-0 deficit, that probably means Frank Lampard’s team are heading for the Champions League exit door.
But strange things occur all the time in football (don’t snigger, hear me out). And this is a Chelsea side stacked with world class talent despite their league position and the humbling they endured this weekend at home to Brighton.
Anyone remember this mad night in Barcelona when Fernando Torres plucked a ball from the heavens and delivered the Blues to the Champions League final? Like I said, strange things happen in this sport and I can honestly see them going on to nick it. I don’t care what the supercomputer says. If Chelsea score first and score early, well then, we might just be in for a classic.
My name is Daniel. I’m thrilled to be with you as he build towards this Champions League quarterfinal second leg tie at Stamford Bridge.
If you’ve got anything you want to share with the group please drop me a mail or send over a tweet. There’s no comment too trivial or complex that isn’t welcome.
Kick off at 8pm BST. Teams and updates to follow.
