Real Madrid might have been left a bit disappointed at winning just 2-0 against Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Santiago Bernabeu. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dominant on the day while the Blues were down to ten men for the last half an hour with Ben Chilwell sent off. Thus, Los Blancos could have and perhaps should have, scored more goals.
Despite that, they will have to considered as heavy favourites to go through into the semi-finals. At the end of the day, Chelsea have been in terrible form this season.
They have struggled badly to put the ball into the back of the net. The Blues have not scored in four straight games and they have scored just 29 goals in 30 Premier League games till now. Thus, it is hard to imagine that they would defeat Real Madrid by a three-goal margin at Stamford Bridge.
Of course, anything can happen in football and it would be a mistake for Real Madrid to consider the result of this tie a foregone conclusion. On the other hand, Chelsea have been handed another huge blow before the second leg.
Chelsea suffer huge blow before second leg vs Real Madrid
Frank Lampard has confirmed that Kalidou Koulibaly will not be available for the upcoming game against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. As reported by GOAL, the Chelsea caretaker manager said:
"“He won’t be available for either game. It’s a hamstring injury and it will be a matter of weeks rather than days.”"
Koulibaly looked like Chelsea’s best defender in the first leg against Real Madrid before he was forced off the pitch with an injury. And that issue is set to keep him out of action for the second leg.
Of course, that is a blow for Chelsea. And it remains to be seen how they will adjust to this new obstacle. On the other hand, it only increases Real Madrid’s chances of going through.