Chelsea will face Real Madrid in a crucial Champions League quarter-final match tonight, marking Frank Lampard’s second game as interim boss. The two teams met at the same stage of the competition last season, with Real Madrid ultimately winning the trophy after defeating Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea in the last eight. However, Chelsea has only lost one of their seven games against Real Madrid and will be eager to secure a win in order to earn Champions League football for next season. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s side is unlikely to catch Barcelona in the LaLiga title race, so they will be fully focused on making it to the semi-finals.
Real Madrid will be without Ferland Mendy but have a full squad to choose from apart from that. Ancelotti made several changes for Los Blancos’ 3-2 defeat to Villarreal at the weekend, so Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga are likely to come back into the side. Meanwhile, Chelsea could be without Mason Mount as he continues to struggle with an abdominal issue. Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Armando Broja are all out, while Benoit Badiashile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Noni Madueke, and David Datro Fofana aren’t part of Chelsea’s Champions League squad. N’Golo Kante should feature after he was rested against Wolves.
Chelsea defender Azpilicueta has described the match as a “unique opportunity,” adding that “it’s special and difficult.” He also acknowledged that Real Madrid is a very dangerous team and that “that type of micromanagement in every game is vital.” The match facts reveal that Real Madrid and Chelsea are facing each other in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League for the third consecutive season. Chelsea won at the semi-final stage in 2020-21 before eventually becoming champions, while Real Madrid won at the quarter-final stage in 2021-22 before eventually becoming champions. Chelsea has only lost one of their seven games against Real Madrid in European competition, and they are currently unbeaten in six UEFA Champions League matches against the reigning champions.
The match is set to take place on Wednesday, April 12, with kick-off at the Bernabeu scheduled for 8 pm UK time. TalkSPORT will have live coverage from Spain, with Adrian Durham serving as the presenter. Commentary will then come from Jim Proudfoot and former Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend. TalkSPORT.com will also have a live blog providing regular updates from Madrid. Fans can tune in to TalkSPORT or TalkSPORT 2 through the website, the TalkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through their smart speaker, and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
In conclusion, the Real Madrid vs Chelsea match is a crucial one for both teams, with Chelsea eager to secure Champions League football for next season and Real Madrid focused on making it to the semi-finals. The match facts reveal that Chelsea has a good record against Real Madrid in European competition, and they are currently unbeaten in six UEFA Champions League matches against the reigning champions. Fans can tune in to TalkSPORT for live coverage of the match.