Away goals rule abolished
We’ve said it enough, but just in case: in a joint draw, away goals no longer make the difference, but extra time is played and penalties are taken if necessary.
Benzema in the spotlight
Back on a European lawn since his resounding hat-trick against the Parisians, Karim Benzema, 34, will lead Real’s attack. Of which he is the captain tonight.
The leader of La Liga against the 3rd of the Premier League
On the Premier League podium, the Blues are left behind by Manchester City and Liverpool in the standings. Suffice it to say that the C1 has become their priority at the end of the season. Real are ahead of La Liga. With 12 points ahead of Barça (which has one game less) and Atlético de Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are on their way to a 35th league title.
Absentees on both sides
Thomas Tuchel can count on almost his entire group, with the exception of the injured Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Eden Hazard will miss seeing his old club again. The Belgian winger, Chelsea player for seven seasons (2012-2019), is not available, as are Isco and Luka Jovic.
We meet again
The two frontrunners already faced each other last year, in the semifinals of the competition. The Madrid team will try to take revenge for a year after being eliminated at the gates of the final by the English, after a draw in Spain (1-1) and a defeat in England (2-0).
Executioners of the last two French opponents
Falling with a blast from Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 after an anthology at the Bernabeu, thanks to an express hat-trick from Karim Benzema, Real Madrid will once again try to impress in West London. Chelsea were rid of Lille at the same time, winning both home and away games.
The star trail
Stamford Bridge is on the cusp of a climax in this Champions League quarter-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid. A prestigious poster between the reigning European champion and the title club in the history of the competition (13 successes).
Chelsea with Kanté, Lukaku on the bench
Thomas Tuchel keeps his defense at three, aligning Kante, Jorginho and Mount in the middle. Lukaku and Werner start on the bench, unlike Havertz and Pulisic.
Chelsea lineup:
E.Mendy – Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger – R.James, Kanté, Jorginho, Mount, Azpilicueta – Havertz, Pulisic
substitutions:
Kepa, Bettinelli, Marcos Alonso, Kovacic, Lukaku, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah, Saul Niguez, Ziyech, Kenedy, M.Sarr
Real with Benzema and Ferland Mendy
Carlo Ancelotti likes to pass on his line-up well before the matches. The Real coach has already delivered his eleven to meet Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Benzema in the foreground. Valverde and Vinicius will animate the sides.
The composition of Real:
Courtois – Carvajal, Eder Militao, Alaba, Ferland Mendy-Valverde, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Vinicius – Benzema
substitutions:
Lunin, Toni Fuidias, Vallejo, Nacho, Asensio, Marcelo, Lucas Vasquez, Bale, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Mariano Diaz, Camavinga
Ancelotti, cured of Covid-19, may make the journey
Real will not be orphaned by their coach at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening. ancelotti is finally negative for Covid-19 and was able to make the trip to London today to find his players, who arrived without him on Tuesday.
>> All info
A meeting to follow at RMC Sport 1
good morning all
Welcome to the RMC Sport website and application to follow live and in full the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League between Chelsea and Real Madrid. Kick off at 9pm!
