Real Madrid Starting XI Prediction vs. Chelsea for second leg of Champions League quarterfinal
LW Vinicius Jr.
After some quiet matches, Vinicius Jr. made plenty of noise over the weekend against Getafe with an outrageous outside-the-boot assist, a pair of nutmegs, and plenty of chances created and fouls drawn. Vini was a one-man highlight-reel against one of the stronger defensive sides in LaLiga, giving even the experienced Djene plenty of headaches.
The X-Factor for Real Madrid against Chelsea, Vini provided a nifty assist for Karim Benzema in the first leg. In front of the Santiago Bernabeu, you had better believe Vini will be determined to provide more goals. He loves balling out for the fans at the Bernabeu, such is his passion for the club and for giving the spectators a spectacle. When he is at his best, there isn’t a single defender in this world who has an answer for him.
CF Karim Benzema
After breaking PSG’s hearts, Karim Benzema did the same to Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday. His first two headed goals were sensational, with the first possibly being the most impressive headed goal of the 2021/22 season thus far. Benzema is the Ballon d’Or frontrunner after another big-game performance of legendary magnitude.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will have a gameplan for Benzema, but is there any way to effectively plan to stop such a well-rounded, clutch player? Benzema is operating on another level on the biggest stages, and we know he can provide the qualities besides scoring that will be important in Real keeping their fortress clean. He will press, dribble, pass, and hustle to make sure Real do not give up a Remontada of their own at the White House.
RW Fede Valverde
Rodrygo Goes is the only other possible option here, as he has proven useful for Real Madrid in the Champions League, including recent matches. He was strong against Getafe, of course, and played a role off the bench in the second leg Remontada over PSG.
But Fede Valverde is the best option on the right wing, based on what we saw in the first leg at the Bridge. Fede was unstoppable on the ball and incredibly industrious off of it. He is a must-start for Real Madrid, as he helps Dani Carvajal keep his head above water defensively while giving Luka Modric a lot more freedom to be a truly dangerous creative presence offensively.
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Valverde makes the players around him better like nobody else. He is a Madridista through and through and the perfect player for his club with his tireless running and underrated technical qualities. An elite athlete, Fede has what it takes to make plays after 80 minutes that nobody else on the pitch has the energy to.