Real Madrid are reportedly sweating over manager Carlo Ancelotti’s welfare, with the Italian apparently a doubt over their Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday evening. The former Blues boss missed out on Los Blancos’ 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo at the weekend having tested positive for Covid-19.
As per Spanish outlet AS, Ancelotti is fine but is still returning positive tests for the virus so could potentially be forced to sit-out of the trip to Stamford Bridge. The Italian’s son Davide was in charge for the league clash with Celta Vigo and could well be at the reins yet again should his father not be able to travel.
The lack of the Italian within the dugout is surely set to be a boost for Chelsea as they aim to plot a route through to the final four of the competition for the second season in succession. He has won the trophy on three occasions in the past - those wins coming with different clubs in the forms of AC Milan and Real Madrid.
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Ancelotti has only ever taken on his former side on three occasions - all three clashes coming during his stint back in the Premier League with Everton. He lost the first game 4-0 at Stamford Bridge before securing a memorable 1-0 victory at Goodison Park. The last game again ended in favour of the Blues with an own-goal from Ben Godfrey and a Jorginho penalty securing maximum points.
Whilst Ancelotti looks unlikely to be back at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have already missed out on another significant reunion ahead of the game. Blues icon Eden Hazard was previously set to play in front of Chelsea fans once again, with the last game between the two being played behind closed doors.
However, Real Madrid have already announced that the Belgian wideman is a considerable doubt for the game having undergone surgery.
A written statement from Los Blancos last month read: “Our player Eden Hazard will undergo surgery in the next few days to remove the osteosynthesis plate on his right fibula.”
