Chelsea must aim for a last-16 repeat in their Champions League quarter final tie against Real Madrid after losing the first leg 2-0. In the previous round, the Blues overcame a one-goal deficit to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate and Chelsea must now pull of a similar achievement when they welcome Los Blancos to Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.
Despite a bright start for the visitors, interim boss Frank Lampard watched his team come out second best for the majority of the clash. Luckily for Chelsea, Madrid only found the back of the net twice through Karim Benzema and Marcos Asensio, despite having 18 shots on goal with Kepa Arrizabalaga forced to make eight saves.
Ben Chilwell will be absent for the second leg after being shown a straight red card for fouling Rodrygo who was running beyond the Chelsea defence. Nonetheless, there is a chance that the Blues can pull off a memorable European comeback against the holders and both Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole are confident it's possible.
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Ferdinand said: "Chelsea dug in in the second half but they were let off at times by a lack of finishing and the final ball decision-making for Real Madrid in the second half might not have been there for them, but I think Frank needs to rally around this team and say this fight isn’t over.
"You go a goal up at Stamford Bridge, the atmosphere and the environment is electric when it happens in these types of games. Bring the belief back - yes, you’ve lost two nil, but the tie is still in the balance. There is a chance for you.
"It’s not over. Hard night, the moments went to Real Madrid. Real Madrid were the better side, let’s not forget they’re the champions, they’re an outstanding team with an outstanding front line.
Adding to Ferdinand's point, Cole praised the effort of the Chelsea team for not crumbling after going down to ten men, urging the Blues to make a statement in their next Premier League game against Brighton ahead of the second leg.
"Chelsea came here and there was some moments in the first half where Chelsea had some chances," Cole said. The positive out the game is that they’re still in it - they’re still in it and they showed character, heart and fight to stay in there and dig in there.
"What this club needs is a big result on Saturday to go into that game on Tuesday night and really have a go. Frank will be really proud with his players in the last 20 minutes there because this is the hardest place to come to in European football, and to do it with 10 men after going a goal down as well."
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