2020-21 UEFA Champions League Semi Finals: First Leg – Real Madrid v Chelsea

Real Madrid welcome Chelsea to Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano in the first leg of their 2020-21 UEFA Champions League Semi Final.

Real Madrid are bidding to reach their 16th final in Europe’s premier competition, whereas Chelsea look to reach their third final of the Champions League era.

 

Team News

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Real Madrid could be welcome Toni Kroos back after an unspecified injury kept the German sidelined since Real’s goalless draw at Liverpool a fortnight ago.

Ferland Mendy (calf), Lucas Vazquez (knee) and Federico Valverde (Coronavirus) are ruled out.

Chelsea have no fresh injury concerns as Mateo Kovacic remains absent with a hamstring injury.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Real Madrid’s first Champions League meeting against Chelsea.
• Chelsea are unbeaten against Real Madrid in three previous meetings across all competitions (W2, D1).
• Marco Asensio has scored in each of Real Madrid’s two home games in this season’s knockout stage, with the Spanish club winning 3-1 on both occasions.
• Three of Chelsea’s five goals in this season’s knockout stage have come after half time.
• Danny Makkelie is refereeing a Real Madrid game for the second time this season, having previously refereed their 3-1 home win over Atalanta in Round of 16 stage.

 

Prediction

Having stuttered their way to three goalless draws in their last four matches across all competitions, it is difficult to predict what team we could see here given their recent injury issues but they have failed to score just twice at home all season.

Chelsea meanwhile were absolutely clinical in a hard-fought league win at West Ham on Saturday, with sharp pin-point attacks in which Timo Werner was often the focal point and I think they could well cause major issues if can play like that here.

Real though will certainly make a tough contest of this but if Thomas Tuchel’s Blues can keep their defence tight, they should at least snatch one away goal which could well be vital come full-time in the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea

Result: Real Madrid 1-1 Chelsea