N’GOLO KANTE was subbed off uninjured before the second half started for the very first time in his Chelsea career against Real Madrid.
And the stats show Thomas Tuchel was right to hook off his struggling midfielder.
N’Golo Kante struggled to have an impact against Real Madrid Credit: Getty
He managed just 45 ineffective minutes at Stamford Bridge as Los Blancos caused havoc.
Tuchel explained it as a “tactical change” as he switched the shape to a back four for the second half.
The diminutive Frenchman started alongside Jorginho in the middle of the park with Mason Mount ahead and ex-Madrid man Mateo Kovacic benched.
But he managed just 21 touches across his 45-minute run-out, completing 15 of his 17 attempted passes.
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Roman Abramovich ‘begs Rush Hour director for money’ EXCLUSIVE Kante attempted one shot which was off target and made one key pass.
But for a man who has built a huge part of his success on his tackling and winning the ball back for his team, he failed to deliver against the 13-time champions.
Kante lost his only duel and didn’t make a single tackle or interception.
He also lost possession three times and gave one free-kick away in a disappointing outing from the European and world champion.
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The ex-Leicester star, out of contract next year, was a world away from his man-of-the-match performances as Chelsea saw off Real and Manchester City in the semi-final and final last season.
By comparison, Kovacic – who came on at half-time – made 50 of his 55 passes while Ruben Loftus-Cheek completed 31 of 33 passes, won four of seven duels and made two successful tackles.
Only four-touch Romelu Lukaku had less of an impact than Kante, with even Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making the same number of passes.
Albeit one underhit Mendy pass to Antonio Rudiger straight after half-time inadvertently set up Karim Benzema’s hat-trick goal and ensured the reigning Champions League winners have a mountain to climb to reach the last four.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
