As Real Madrid made their trip to Stamford Bridge, Carlo Ancelotti couldn't help but joke and tell Karim Benzema a lie. "Karim couldn’t find his accreditation to get into the ground," the former AC Milan boss said to Prime Video in Italy. "I told him: ‘You aren’t playing tonight. I’ve had the masseur warm up.'"
The truth was much clearer in Ancelotti's assessment of his star striker's performance in his post-match press conference. He said: "Karim Benzema is getting better everyday... just like wine." At 34 years of age, and with hunger for more goals more active than anyone else on the pitch, it should be little surprise that the Italian coach replicated the scenes made at the Bernabeu following victory over PSG, with a warm embrace to celebrate Benzema's hat-trick.
Chelsea could only dream that anyone of less quality started up front for the La Liga leaders. An impressive back and forth spawned Benzema's opening header past Edouard Mendy, while the Frenchman's timely movement to pull off the back of Thiago Silva allowed him to nod in for a second time. Mendy shortchanged Antonio Rudiger with a pass near the halfway line allowing Benzema to nip in and knock into an open goal from distance. A finish the masseuse might have even been able to handle.
