Chelsea are a complete mess right now and in such a state, the last thing they would have wanted is to take on Real Madrid.
Their league season has hit a brick wall so the Blues have only the Champions League to look forward to but they will have to get past Madrid, a team that knocked out Liverpool in the previous round. Any other season and Chelsea might have gone head to head with the Spanish giants but this season, they will need a miracle to progress to the next round.
Chelsea are winless in their previous four matches and even their new interim boss, Frank Lampard could not bring them back to winning ways. They are the heavy underdogs going into the quarter-finals and the pressure will be very much on Frank Lampard who was originally booked to be a pundit for the Real Madrid game.
Lampard’s first stint as the Blues boss was not very successful and we don’t see him pulling any rabbits out of the hat this week either. The only way Chelsea will be able to beat Real Madrid is if there are one or two moments of individual brilliance.
Chelsea’s injuries and team news:
The Premier League side will be without Thiago Silva and this is perhaps the biggest blow for them because the Brazilian’s experience would have come in handy against a team like Real Madrid.
Lampard shifted to a 4-3-3 system against Wolves and the interim boss is likely to use this same system in midweek as well.
Silva’s absence means Fofana and Koulibaly are going to play in central defence with Reece James and Ben Chilwell operating as the two full-backs.
Frank Lampard’s return meant Mason Mount was supposed to move up the pecking order but the midfielder missed this weekend’s game due to a knock. It remains to be seen if he is fit in time or not.
N’Golo Kante was not used in that 1-0 loss to Wolves because he was being protected for midweek so the Frenchman will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
The manager has made it clear: “N’Golo will be fine as it stands now. Managing him to be fit for the game. Not an issue.”
Kante was one of the main reasons why Chelsea were able to hold Liverpool to a draw last week and he will be key to keeping the likes of Modric and Kroos quiet.
Mudryk has failed to impress since his big-money move to the club so he is going to remain on the bench once again. The interim boss will rely on Felix and Raheem Sterling as the two wide players and maybe bring on Mudryk sometime in the second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang got some minutes under his belt during the weekend but we doubt if he is going to start against Madrid.
Chelsea predicted line up vs Real Madrid:
Chelsea predicted line up vs Real Madrid:
Predicted Starting XI(4-3-3): Kepa; Koulibaly, Fofana, Reece James, Ben Chilwell; Enzo Fernandes, Kante, Mount/Loftus-Cheek; Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling, Havertz.
