In a match where Real Madrid were tactically sound, the Blues have struggled to create chances. Thomas Tuchel's men have had to look towards the brilliance of Kai Havertz whilst the Los Blancos relied on Karim Benzema who was in sparkling form as he bagged a hat-trick.
Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, and Steve Mcmanaman assessed the first half of intense football on BT Sport. They discussed just how effective both strikers have been. Rio Ferdinand opened up the discussion, comparing the 21-year-old's movement to a striking legend.
READ MORE: Chelsea vs Real Madrid LIVE
"That’s number nine movements there," Ferdinand said referring to Kai Havertz's first-half goal. "We’d look at that and say ‘that’s Van Nistelrooy or Benzema’. Havertz is playing like a complete number nine at the moment, scoring big goals.
"What I would say, three goals, great crosses, and that eliminates defenders. I don’t care how good you are, if the cross is good, it takes you out of the game completely."
Havertz has now scored four Champions League goals this season and 12 in total. Whilst this is impressive as he leads the table as Chelsea's top goalscorer, it cannot compare to the whopping 36 goals scored by Benzema. The Frenchman went into half-time with two magnificent goals to his name and it wasn't long before he scored the third. It is the second time that he has scored a hat-trick in the Champions League this season and both games came one after the other.
Steve Mcmanaman was waxing lyrical for Benzema's first-half goals. Two well-guided headers silenced Stamford Bridge and the former Real Madrid player said: "You think Benzema’s first one is good, wait until you see the next one which is different but equally as great. I think Real have been outstanding... 36 goals in 36 games as a 34-year-old, forget Mbappe, it’s Benzema!"
Rounding off the discussion on the forwards, Joe Cole reminds viewers of exactly why Chelsea fans adore the German. He said: "Kai Havertz, big game player, big goals. Chelsea pinned Modric back and it’s a lovely bit of movement to score the goal."
