It was all even heading into the second leg of this enticing UEFA Champions League semi-final tie, although the advantage was with the Blues courtesy of their away goal in Spain. In the end, Chelsea made relatively easy work of Real Madrid and thus made their way into the final of the competition – confirming that they’re no longer dark horses, they are legitimate contenders in this race for the crown.
Earning the win
For a while it seemed as if this could turn out to be a Barcelona semi-final situation in which Chelsea were easily the better team, but still fell short after being unable to finish the opposition off. For long spells of the game they controlled and dictate the pace but with a goal from Timo Werner and Mason Mount in each half, we saw definitive proof that this team has what it takes to hold their nerve and really kick on towards something huge this season.
The Tuchel transformation
It’s harsh to label Frank Lampard as a complete failure following his tenure as Chelsea manager and we do think he’ll be able to come back from it, but it’s worth saying that Thomas Tuchel has been an absolute revolution since coming through the door at Stamford Bridge. From his tactical mind to the way he approaches the game, he has turned this club around and has them playing the kind of football you’d expect from a squad full of absolute superstars.
All-English final awaits
For just the third time, we will get an all-English Champions League final as Chelsea go head to head with Manchester City. The crazy thing here is that it’s easy to picture a scenario in which City are the underdogs and there are a few reasons for that. Firstly, Chelsea have less pressure on their shoulders given the fact they’ve already won the competition in the past, and secondly, the Blues were the ones who ended Pep Guardiola’s hopes of a quadruple. This is going to be an unpredictable final and either way, the trophy is coming home to England.
Match Report
Chelsea: Mendy (7.5), Rudiger (7), Silva (7), Christensen (7), Jorginho (8), Chilwell (7), Mount (7.5), Kante (7.5), Azpilicueta (7), Werner (8), Havertz (8), James (6), Pulisic (7), Ziyech (6), Giroud (6)
Real Madrid: Courtois (6.5), Militao (6.5), Ramos (6), Nacho (6), Junior (6.5), Kroos (6.5), Casemiro (6.5), Mendy (6), Modric (7), Benzema (6.5), Hazard (6.5), Valverde (6), Asensio (6), Mariano (6), Rodrygo (6)
Referee: Daniele Orsato
Goals: Werner, Mount
Yellow Cards: Christensen, Jorginho, Mount, Kroos, Ramos, Nacho, Valverde
Red Cards: N/A
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