Back in March Carlo Ancelotti was asked: "You're 10 points ahead with 10 games to go, how can you lose the league?". His reply was simple. "How can you lose a Champions League final when you're 3-0 up?" the Italian flashed back.
Even when you've won Europe's elite competition three times, it seems the losses never leave you. Paolo Maldini and a Hernan Crespo brace capped off one of the finest halves of football from a team in the Champions League final back in 2005 but a Steven Gerrard-inspired Liverpool managed to push the game to penalties for Jerzy Dudek to become an Anfield legend. Three goals from Chelsea's Premier League rivals came in just six minutes during the second half. Chelsea require two to force extra time, but there will be time.
Of course, it will be no easy feat. Karim Benzema proved how potent Real Madrid can be with his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge but a lot can change in two legs of football as Los Blancos proved against PSG in the last 16. Thomas Tuchel still dreams of qualification and Ancelotti still expects a stiff test. He said in his press conference: "Chelsea are coming to fight and qualify. They know very well that it is difficult but they are going to try, that is the spirit of football, of big clubs that never give up."
