Chelsea vs Real Madrid LIVE: Result and reaction from Champions League quarter-final as Blues crash out
Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (0-4 agg): The Blues failed to overturn a two-goal deficit against the current European champions
Real Madrid breezed past Chelsea into the semi-finals of the Champions League with Rodrygo’s double securing a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge for a 4-0 aggregate victory that sets up a likely mouth-watering clash with Manchester City.
Trailing 2-0 from last week’s clash in the Bernabeu, Chelsea had their moments but failed to take their chances in the opening half and at the start of the second and were made to pay as Rodrygo sent the silky Spaniards through.
He opened the scoring in the 58th minute and tapped in again in the 80th to spark a mass exodus of Chelsea fans.
N’Golo Kante had twice come close to cutting the deficit and Real’s former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save just before half-time to frustrate his old club. And when Rodrygo finished off a sweeping counter-attack there was no way back for the London club who have lost all four games since Frank Lampard returned as interim manager.
Relive all the action as Chelsea lose to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg:
Chelsea line-up
Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga; Fofana, Thiago Silva, Chalobah; James, Kovacic, Kante, Fernandez, Cucurella; Gallagher, Havertz
‘No problem’ with Todd Boehly visiting Chelsea dressing room, Lampard says
Frank Lampard says he is comfortable with the club owners interacting with his players after a match.
Chelsea’s interim manager was commentating after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga mentioned the owners addressed the players following the defeat to Brighton on Saturday.
It has been reported Todd Boehly attempted to rouse Chelsea players before Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid by delivering a speech in the dressing room, during which he described the season so far as “embarrassing”.
Fellow board members Behdad Eghbali and Hansjorg Wyss were also said to be present.
Ancelotti recalls last season’s quarter-final
This is the second time in consecutive years that Real Madrid have faced Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Carlo Ancelotti recalled how his side were 3-1 up against the Blues after the first leg of last season’s quarter-final, only to need a late goal in the second leg to take the tie into extra time. They eventually won 5-4 on aggregate.
"What happened, happened. We want to struggle less tomorrow," said Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference yesterday,
"Chelsea has a difficult moment. I’m thinking the game tomorrow can be a great opportunity for them to move from this situation. We’re aware of this.
"Ninety minutes remain and in this type of competition anything can happen. We’ll be ready to play at our best."
Chelsea are not ‘broken’ says Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s interim manager Frank Lampard has denied the notion that the club have been ‘broken’ by this season’s struggles.
The Blues sacked manager Graham Potter earlier this month with the team 11th in the Premier League. They have spent more than £550m on players this season and the Champions League is the last competition they can win this season but they trail Real Madrid 2-0 after the first leg. before
"We are not where we want to be. That’s clear," said Lampard, "But I think the word broken is a bit much.
"The league position is a reality and we are 2-0 down in this game. We have to work against that."
Chelsea will see Real Madrid tie as opportunity to save season, says Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti warned that Chelsea will see their Champions League quarter-final second-leg meeting against his Real Madrid side as a “great opportunity” to turn a disappointing season around.
European champions Real lead 2-0 from last week’s first leg at the Bernabeu after a dominant display against Frank Lampard’s side, who played the final 30 minutes with 10 men and were outclassed.
Victory would see Ancelotti’s team move a step closer to retaining the trophy they won for the 14th time last season, when they knocked out the Blues in the last-eight after a thrilling tie that saw Chelsea fight back from two goals down and still lose.
Chelsea will see Real Madrid tie as opportunity to save season, says Ancelotti
European champions Real lead 2-0 from last week’s quarter-final first leg at the Bernabeu after a dominant display against Frank Lampard’s side.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid prediction
Given that Chelsea need to win tonight to salvage their season the Blues will take the attack to Real Madrid. A bit of European joy should come their way before the champions turn up the heat and progress with an away win.
Chelsea 1-2 Real Madrid (1-4 agg).
Real Madrid line-up
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
What is the early team news?
Chelsea could be boosted by the return to fitness of Kai Havertz, who may be back sooner than expected from injury. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is another nearing a comeback, but Ben Chilwell is banned and Kalidou Koulibaly’s thigh issue rules the defender out. A number of players were rested against Brighton, including N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva, should return to Frank Lampard’s side.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that both Vinicius Jr. and Toni Kroos are set to be available after missing Real Madrid’s weekend business against Cadiz with minor muscular problems. Ferland Mendy is their only known absentee.
How to watch Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Chelsea vs Real Madrid is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Tuesday 18 April at Stamford Bridge in London.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the second leg live on BT Sport 1, with coverage from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the BT Sport app or online player.
Chelsea vs Real Madrid
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.
Chelsea have their work cut out and must overcome a two goal deficit against the reigning European champions after Real Madrid were victorious in the quarter-final first leg. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio both netted at the Bernabeu to give Carlo Ancelotti’s men a firm grip of the tie and Chelsea will need a near perfect performance to get past them.
The Blues are in a horrible run of form and not even the sacking of rehiring of Frank Lampard, as caretaker boss, could turn around their fortunes.
Chelsea may get a boost by the return of both Kai Havertz and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who have recovered from injury and could start this evening but Ben Chilwell is suspended following his red card in Madrid.
Kick off for this one is at 8pm and we’ll have all the action, build-up and team news throughout the night.
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