Real Madrid vs. Chelsea: 5 players who could decide the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal

The quarterfinal stage of football’s most coveted competition, the Champions League, is underway. The first round of the quarterfinals saw several top-tier clubs from throughout Europe compete for a semifinal position, and one such tie was that of Real Madrid and Chelsea, which broke all expectations and records of the two teams playing against each other.

Real Madrid had never before beaten Chelsea in an official match, but this game marked the beginning of a historical remark. The club has also never beaten a team headed by Thomas Tuchel previously, and they are now erasing that record.

The game at Stamford Bridge was one of the best performances of football from the Spanish club, and Carlo Ancelotti deserves some credit for finally grasping and addressing the rotational issues that had been plaguing them.

The second leg of the tie will be played in Real Madrid’s backyard, with Real leading by two goals courtesy of a sensational Karim Benzema hattrick. The game at Santiago Bernabeu will define who progresses to the next round, and Real has the advantage for the time being.

Chelsea, on the other hand, will have the same 90 minutes as Real, and the Vikings should not overlook Tuchel’s team, who are coming off a dominating thrashing of Southampton in the Premier League.

With 22 players competing on the pitch, the 90-minute match at the Bernabeu will be gruelling. Out of the 22 athletes, we aim to highlight 5 such individuals from both sides who will be crucial in determining the outcome of the second leg in this article.

Real Madrid CM Federico Valverde

I believe it is necessary to state, however harshly, that Real Madrid’s right-wing was almost non-existent in the presence of Marco Asensio. When Asensio was put at the position, there was absolutely no contribution from the flank, which underscores the present concerns with his contract extension with Real because he is just not the player he was a few seasons ago.

Had it been for him at Stamford Bridge, the outcome would almost certainly have been the opposite, but thanks to Carlo Ancelotti for finally recognising the truth that there are other options on the right-wing, even if one of them is not even a natural player on the position but still contributes more than Asensio.

Fede Valverde‘s placement on the right wing was arguably the wisest choice Ancelotti has made in a long time, and it appears that the manager can finally trust the Uruguayan and his talents. With his quickness and remarkable athleticism in the game, he was the main man supporting Karim Benzema in tearing open Chelsea’s defence.

Valverde’s acumen with and without the ball, both offensively and defensively, will be critical for Real Madrid to dictate the tempo of the second leg. His flexibility allows him to have an impact from any of the team’s three fronts, which has been extremely beneficial to Real recently.

There are basically no justifications against starting Valverde versus Chelsea again, since there are nearly no challengers for his place, due to his own skill and the below-par performances of Asensio and Rodrygo (the former being the bigger problem).

The second leg will once again be run by those who can do the most with and without the ball, and for Real, Valverde is the right man for the job. Aside from his penetrative runs that influence the game, the manner he covers Dani Carvajal’s unlucky defensive blunders will also play a role in thwarting Chelsea’s comeback attempts.

If Ancelotti exploits his ability appropriately once again, Valverde will be extremely beneficial for Real and will have the most effect in tilting the outcome in Los Blancos’ favour.