Key events
Real Madrid place faith in same XI
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Confident that the same players can turn over Chelsea yet again, Carlo Ancelotti has named the same team that won 2-0 in the opening leg.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga, Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Rodrygo, Benzema (c), Vinicius Junior.
Replacements: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Va;;ejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Odriozola, Lucas, Tchouameni, Cebalos, Rudiger, Mariano.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
It’s not going to happen, right? I mean we can all agree that this isn’t going to happen. Opta’s ‘Supercomputer’ (whatever that is) reckons Real Madrid have a 40.6% chance of winning tonight. Considering a draw is one of three possible results, and that Chelsea need to overturn a 2-0 deficit, that probably means Frank Lampard’s team are heading for the Champions League exit door.
But strange things occur all the time in football (don’t snigger, hear me out). And this is a Chelsea side stacked with world class talent despite their league position and the humbling they endured this weekend at home to Brighton.
Anyone remember this mad night in Barcelona when Fernando Torres plucked a ball from the heavens and delivered the Blues to the Champions League final? Like I said, strange things happen in this sport and I can honestly see them going on to nick it. I don’t care what the supercomputer says. If Chelsea score first and score early, well then, we might just be in for a classic.
My name is Daniel. I’m thrilled to be with you as he build towards this Champions League quarterfinal second leg tie at Stamford Bridge.
If you’ve got anything you want to share with the group please drop me a mail or send over a tweet. There’s no comment too trivial or complex that isn’t welcome.
Kick off at 8pm BST. Teams and updates to follow.
