Real Madrid had a difficult opponent in the Champions League Round of 16, but they were able to get past PSG after a Remontada for the ages in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu. PSG were a tough, hyped team, yet Real’s task is actually tougher in the quarterfinals. They have officially drawn Chelsea in the next round of the competition.
Here are three reasons why even the powerful Real Madrid should be worried about Chelsea, despite the fact that the Blues are in turmoil while reaping the potential consequences of being owned by a shady oligarch.
Chelsea already beat Real Madrid in the Champions League
Let’s start with the obvious here. Even if we clarify Real Madrid’s loss to Chelsea last season by stating that Los Blancos got better and that they suffered from injuries across the two legs, the reality is that they did not look like they belonged on the same pitch as Chelsea in either match. Thomas Tuchel’s side thoroughly outplayed Real and deserved to advance. If anything, the scoreline of both matches flattered Real. They were fortunate to tie the first leg and were completely embarrassed in the second.
So Chelsea have an advantage in that sense. They have already proven they can wipe the floor with Real Madrid, meaning the Merengue club is in the unfamiliar territory of having to prove a point. Well, let me correct myself there. Because while Real are usually the favorites, we saw in the last round that they can excel in an underdog role. They were awful in the first leg in Paris but still advanced behind a wonderful second leg.
Still, Chelsea showed why they are a top club by winning last year’s Champions League. They are great in knockout competitions, and Los Blancos must respect that after being on the receiving end of a Champions League beatdown last season.