Real Madrid, defending champion, beat Chelsea (2-0) without trembling on Wednesday April 12 at home for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League. A good result, but not total protection for the return match in London next Tuesday.
Those who have remembered last year’s quarter-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea (3-1; 2-3) have reason to be (a little) disappointed with this first leg. Two goals in 90 minutes as last season’s tie boasted a total of nine goals in two games. But Champions League followers can also tell themselves that this score keeps the suspense intact, in any case more than City-Bayern (3-0) or Benfica-Inter (0-2) on Tuesday. Because Real still had the means to give themselves more margin before the return match in a week.
Carlos Ancelotti’s men were hardly worried by a Chelsea team, certainly solid behind, but uninspired in attack, and desperately without resources against Real’s defensive organization.
Unmissable Benzema
The reigning European champion was in control for most of the game, only shaking on an action that saw Raheem Sterling call on Thibault Courtois. The latter had to work to get a ball out near his post. Two minutes before, Karim Benzema had opened the scoring, taking advantage of a poorly repelled ball from Kepa Arrizabalaga after an attempt by Vinicius (21st).
Sovereign in the game, Madrid took full advantage after the expulsion of Ben Chilwell on the hour mark (59th). The left-back of the Blues is sent back to the locker room after hanging Rodrygo, in the position of last defender, at the entrance to the penalty area. A quarter of an hour later, Marco Asensio, who had entered three minutes earlier, doubled the lead after an action started from a corner and passed through the feet of Toni Kroos and Vinicius.
Madrid will head to London a week ahead with a good lead, but the memory of last year will urge them to be very cautious as they step onto Stamford Bridge for a second leg that Chelsea fans hope will be as explosive as last year’s.
Results and quarter-final first leg:
Benfica (POR) – Inter Milan (ITA) 0-2
Manchester City (ENG) – Bayern Munich (GER) 3-0
Real Madrid (ESP) – Chelsea (ENG) 2-0
AC Milan (ITA) – Napoli (ITA) 1-0