Real Madrid won’t have to face familiar foe next week
Real Madrid are preparing for Saturday night’s La Liga fixture against Real Betis, but they are also keeping one eye on their Tuesday match against Chelsea in the Champions League. The Blues are quietly becoming a force to be reckoned with now that Thomas Tuchel is in charge, so they have what it takes to beat Real and even win the entire Champions League.
Madridistas are looking forward to the return of Toni Kroos, and Eden Hazard is back in the squad for the Betis match, ready for a potential reunion match against Chelsea. But there is one player who 100 percent won’t be ready for his own reunion match. Mateo Kovacic.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has taken off as a star with Chelsea, establishing himself as the most press-resistant midfielder in the Premier League. Kovacic could pose a threat to Real – along with fellow midfielders Jorginho, Mason Mount, and N’Golo Kante – but he won’t be available in the first leg at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
According to Goal.com’s Nizaar Kinsella, Mateo Kovacic will miss the first leg but could be back for the rivalry fixture against Fulham on May 1 next weekend and then for the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Mateo Kovacic has enhanced his reputation after leaving Real Madrid for Chelsea
Kovacic is a tough loss for Chelsea, as he was arguably their best player last season and has been good in 2020-2021 as well. According to WhoScored.com, the composed Croatian is actually the Blues’ leader in dribbles completed per game, as he is the only player on the team hitting the 2.0 mark, which is outstanding for a center midfielder. Kovacic is also averaging 1.6 tackles per game and completing 91 percent of his 66.1 pass attempts per match.
Without Kovacic, Chelsea will take a hit in the ball-progression department against Real Madrid, as he could have been a great player to counter Casemiro and exploit any spaces Real leave on counters. But the Blues are still going to be great in midfield without him, considering the form midfield metronome Jorginho is in. Kante is also back in the fold, while Mount has been Chelsea’s best player in 2020-2021.
Next. The best Real Madrid player to wear every kit number. dark
There will be no “revenge game” for Kovacic, but Real Madrid will have plenty of other great players to worry about.