Chelsea fans have taken to social media to shower Thomas Tuchel's side with praise following the rollercoaster five-goal clash with Real Madrid. The Blues' Champions League title defence is over after the Spanish giants won 5-4 on aggregate, despite walking away 3-2 victors on the night.
The visitors played up to the occasion and began in the ascendency. Mason Mount fired the west Londoners ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour, with an assertive finish beyond the reach of Thibaut Courtois.
Antonio Rudiger doubled Chelsea's lead moments into the second-half after he climbed highest to nod the ball into the top corner. Marcos Alonso, momentarily, extended Chelsea's lead to three but VAR ruled the Spaniard's effort out for handball.
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Tuchel's side ploughed on as Timo Werner cut inside, glided past David Alaba and found the net to put the Blues within minutes of a semi-final. Though, despite Chelsea's jubilation, Rodrygo levelled proceedings on aggregate to give Real Madrid a lifeline.
Karim Benzema finished the bout with a knockout blow in extra-time, to which Chelsea fans flooded social media. Gracious in defeat, the Blues were hailed for their heart and ambition against one of Europe's biggest sides.
An overriding feeling of pride swept the Chelsea fanbase despite having failed to defend their European crown. Though, while Tuchel's side were lauded for their efforts, fans also highlighted a lack of guile in front of goal.
Speaking on BT Sport, former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman detailed the Blues' exit from the Champions League. Singing from the same hymn sheet, he outlined Chelsea's missed chances.
"You saw from the reaction of the Chelsea players that when you’re the better team, when you walk off all you can think about are what if I had done this, what if that player had scored this chance, and you can totally understand the frustration for them," McManaman said.
"There was so many if’s for them from this game and it will all revert back to that first 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge when they should have been the dominant team, and instead they effectively allowed Madrid to win this home tie."
