Real Madrid at Chelsea: Five X-Factors who could change the game

Real Madrid will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, with advancement to the Champions League Final on the line for both teams. Los Blancos are evenly matched with Thomas Tuchel’s side, though they were outplayed by the Blues in the first leg. Even so, Real managed a draw, and they could very well make it to the final if they play to their potential.

Let’s take a look at five players on both teams who could distinguish themselves as the X-Factors in the second leg. Their individual performances could make or break the tie.

Real Madrid LB Ferland Mendy

We begin with Real Madrid and a key return to the lineup in Ferland Mendy. The former Lyon man is expected to start at left back now that he’s back from injury, though Madridistas have not seen him on the pitch since the 0-0 second leg match against Liverpool.

Mendy has become one of the team’s most important players since signing in 2019. As we saw in the first leg, he is considerably better than Marcelo. There are very, very few fullbacks in world football who can measure up to Mendy defensively, which will be important to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

If Mendy can play shutdown football defensively and chip in positively offensively as a ball-carrier, then Los Blancos could be in business. He’s a bigger difference-maker than people think, though Madridistas definitely don’t underrate his impact on their team.