Real Madrid vs Chelsea: 5 players who will decide the first leg

Chelsea CF Kai Havertz

There might be many factors that influence the result of a game, but at the end of the day, what matters the most in a knockout tie is the scoreline. Goals win you the games, and goalscorers are the decisive players. Kai Havertz has been Chelsea’s second-best goalscorer after Romelu Lukaku this season with 11 goals and also has 5 assists to his name.

He has been their most influential attacker and has been in great form in recent weeks. He has scored 6 goals and claimed 2 assists in all competitions since the beginning of February, and has also stepped up with clutch goals for Chelsea. Not to forget that he was the decisive goalscorer in last year’s Champions League final against Manchester City. He didn’t score a goal against Real Madrid last season, but he was an influential figure in the second leg, often getting onto the end of a lot of chances in the final third.

Havertz isn’t an explosive dribbler or a master playmaker who can make the difference with a line-breaking pass. He is someone who just gets the final finish and final pass right, getting into the perfect position at the right time. To nullify him in a big game, it is important to mark him properly and keep a track of his off-the-ball movement. He can also hurt any team with his aerial presence, and this is an aspect of the game where Real Madrid have struggled throughout the season, and there is a need for Alaba, Casemiro, and Militao to take that extra care against Havertz on Wednesday.