Real Madrid know they need to get off to a good start in the Champions League quarterfinals this Wednesday, as they are facing a formidable foe in Chelsea. Last season, the Blues knocked the Merengues out of the competition in the semifinals, and Real never looked for one moment like they were going to beat Chelsea. They didn’t even look like they belonged on the same pitch during the second leg.
This season, Real were slow starters against PSG in the Round of 16, but a lovely second-half Remontada, buoyed by a legendary Karim Benzema hat trick, was enough to get them through to the quarterfinals.
Let’s take a look at what Real Madrid must do in the first leg at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in order to avoid sinking themselves into a hole they cannot get out of in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Do more damage on the flanks
Real Madrid has been startlingly poor down the flanks. Their struggles on the right side of the pitch have been especially problematic, but that can be allayed by starting Rodrygo Goes over Marco Asensio. Rodrygo is better in the Champions League than in LaLiga, for whatever reason. And even when he is not at his best, his effort, defensive work, and chance-creation make him a superior option to Asensio in the biggest matches, as we saw in the second leg comeback over PSG.
But Rodrygo starting alone does not solve the issue. Real Madrid need more from the fullbacks. That goes both for the struggling Dani Carvajal and for Ferland Mendy, whose lack of end product and disappearing overlaps have left Vinicius Jr. very isolated on the left.
Chelsea are strong defensively with an active midfield, a back three, and a great right back in Reece James. Real Madrid need to get better at using the width of the pitch to create out-to-in, and having a more robust attack down the flanks can help star striker Karim Benzema get the space he needs to score a decisive goal. Or two.