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    Chelsea verdict: Lukaku was bought to produce big moments like Benzema – he and Tuchel must bury the hatchet and fast

    OH WHAT Thomas Tuchel would give to have had Romelu Lukaku and Karim Benzema in opposite colours tonight.The veteran French striker continues to defy his age and mature like a fine wine at Real Madrid.
    Romelu Lukaku could only watch as Karim Benzema stole the showCredit: Rex
    He and Thomas Tuchel need to bury the hatchet quickCredit: Jamie McPhilimey
    Meanwhile Chelsea’s record £97.5m signing could only sit watching his fellow No9 steal the show at Stamford Bridge as Los Blancos claimed a 3-1 win.
    Lukaku, 28, finally got on with over 60 minutes gone and his side trailing by two.
    But this was no case of cometh the hour cometh the man.
    Granted, many would agree that it is a tall task for anyone to haul their team back from two behind against the 13-time European champions.
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    However, it is nights like this that Chelsea forked out the dosh to Inter Milan last summer to bring Lukaku back to the Bridge.
    Kai Havertz, fantastically brave for his goal, continues to impress and work hard.
    But when Lukaku’s moment to spark his side back into life came he, like he has so often this term, failed to deliver.
    He completely miscued a header with his first opportunity seconds after coming on.
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    But the groans were even louder seconds later as he headed Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross wide.
    It might seem harsh to blame this on a man that only featured for the final 30 minutes – especially after Andreas Christensen’s nightmare – but Lukaku was brought in to produce big moments.
    And he is failing to deliver.
    In fact, his campaign appears to just be wilting away in the hope that he can secure a move back to Inter.
    But somehow Tuchel and Lukaku need to work out their differences to try and discover the magic formula that gets him producing world-class moments otherwise Chelsea could end the campaign without a pot to p*** in.
    Someone needs to be the bigger man and bury the hatchet – or is it all too late for Tuchel and the Belgian? More

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    Villarreal 1 Bayern Munich 0: Arnaut Danjuma gives Spanish side first-leg lead over Germans in Champions League quarters

    ARNAUT DANJUMA has Villarreal dreaming about their first Champions League semi-final in 16 years.The Dutch forward has gone from wowing the Championship to the Champions League.
    Arnaut Danjuma fired Villarreal to a 1-0 win in the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    Danjuma was playing Championship football with Bournemouth this time last yearCredit: Getty
    That’s after his eighth-minute strike left five-time winners Bayern Munich stunned.
    Just last year Danjuma was on the scoresheet for Bournemouth in a 2-0 win over Blackburn.
    But tonight, the 25-year-old bagged his SIXTH Champions League goal of the season for Villarreal.
    It came after he directed on-loan Tottenham midfielder Giovanni Lo Celso’s cross into the bottom corner.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea 1 Real Madrid 3 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Karim Benzema nets HAT-TRICK after Mendy howler
    Munich found their rhythm after 20 minutes.
    But a brave challenge by Raul Albiol denied Serge Gnarby from getting a shot away.
    And VAR denied the Yellow Submarine a second as ex-Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin was adjudged a fraction offside before his cross looped in over Manuel Neuer.
    It was more of the same in the second half as Gerard Moreno hit the post before sailing a half-way line effort just wide.
    It was a disastrous night for perennial German champions BayernCredit: Getty
    The likes of Thomas Muller failed to impress in SpainCredit: AFP
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    Danjuma fired home for Villarreal with just eight minutes on the clockCredit: Getty
    It was the Dutch winger’s sixth Champions League goal this seasonCredit: Reuters
    Returning to the side for the first time since December after recovering from a swollen heart, fullback Alphsonso Davies finally got Bayern’s first shot on target on 70 minutes.
    But even after weathering a nervy final 20 minutes, boss Unai Emery would be kicking himself it is just the one goal they take back to Munich.
    It easily could have been more for Villarreal.
    And Bayern are still in with a chance when they play in front of their raucous home crowd.
    Villarreal scored a second through Francis Coquelin but it was eventually ruled out for offsideCredit: Getty
    Bayern have it all to do in the second leg at homeCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea 1 Real Madrid 3: Brilliant Karim Benzema’s hat-trick leaves Blues’ Champions League title defence in tatters

    THOMAS TUCHEL certainly called it.Asked on the eve of this Champions League quarter-final which Real Madrid player he most coveted, the Chelsea manager could easily have dodged the question.
    Karim Benzema heads Real Madrid into the leadCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman celebrates with his team-matesCredit: PA
    Instead, he insisted he wouldn’t be “boring” and nominated Karim Benzema.
    You could interpret it as another slap round the chops for his own spluttering £97.5million centre-forward, Romelu Lukaku.
    In truth it was just an admirably honest bloke answering a straight question.
    But when Benzema rattled in a hat-trick inside 46 minutes, and Lukaku came off the bench to squander a glorious free header, the contrast could not have been clearer.
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    Especially as Benzema’s first two had been magnificent nodded efforts, as brutal as Glasgow kisses.
    The 34-year-old Frenchman is enjoying an extraordinary late peak to an already fine career and Chelsea may well have to pay by surrendering their European crown to the 13-time champions.
    Chelsea visit the Bernabeu for Tuesday’s return, still with a glimmer of hope – especially with the away-goals rule now abandoned.
    And they played their part in a belting contest – one of those Champions League knock-out ties which allow you to momentarily forget about the stench of elite-club ownership and marvel at the quality of the world’s finest footballers at the sharp end of this competition.

    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    But Real, stuffed full with experience and quality, showed why they remain the masters of this competition – even in a season where we might have expected complete Premier League dominance.
    Chelsea’s season has suffered a major slump with two convincing home defeats in the space of four days. 
    Here they were, the champions of the world – but comfortably the second best side in West London during Saturday’s battering by Brentford. The European Cup holders with tumbleweed blowing through their directors’ box. 
    It was a weird backdrop to such a red-letter fixture – with the Bridge faithful watching the most famous club on Earth here for the first time, after last year’s semi-final was staged behind closed doors. 
    Carlo Ancelotti, the Double-winning Chelsea boss who was surely Roman Abramovich’s most hard-done-by managerial victim, had made it after a negative Covid test on the morning of the match. 
    The man with the arched eyebrow is still loved here and he has won this thing with both Real and AC Milan.
    To think, old Carlo could have been enjoying a relegation six-pointer at Turf Moor instead of this had he opted to stay at Everton. 
    Another former Blue, keeper Thibaut Courtois, was given a more hostile reception, roundly abused by the Matthew Harding Stand.

    Edouard Mendy can’t reach Benzema’s secondCredit: Getty
    From the off, Chelsea were zipping around a surface sodden by the piddling rain – seemingly keen to get Saturday’s debacle out of their system. 
    N’Golo Kante released Kai Havertz but the German skied his shot. 
    Yet the hosts were served a serious warning when Ancelotti’s men staged a slick break, which ended with Vinicius Junior cutting between two defenders and firing against the bar.  
    There was one wonky moment for Real when Eder Militao slipped, then wrestled over Havertz and escaped with a yellow card – with a Reece James free-kick pushed away by Courtois.  
    Then, though, that stunning double thrust from Benzema. 
    First, Vinicius exchanged passes with his centre-forward, then crossed for Benzema, who had located a vast swathe of empty turf to wallop a header into the top corner. 
    If that was magnificent, the second was none too shabby either. 
    This time, Benzema’s fellow old master, Luka Modric conjured a gorgeous centre from the right and the Frenchman peeled away from Thiago Silva, arched his back and steered this one back inside the near post.
    Kai Havertz heads beyond Thibaut CourtoisCredit: Rex
    Benzema, 34, profits on Mendy’s mistake to net his hat-trickCredit: AP
    They say that such supreme headed goals are a dying art – but Benzema is pleasingly retro.  
    For a brief while the Bridge was, understandably, quelled.
    But then Chelsea rallied and, five minutes before the break, they pulled one back through another decent nut job.
    James cut back for Jorginho to curl in a peachy cross and Havertz was almost decapitated by a flying boot to head home – Courtois vainly getting a hand to it. 
    But Benzema should have had his treble before the break – Jorginho making a hash of attempting to intercept a Vincius centre but the Real skipper stabbing wide when an opportunity far more glaring than either of the two he’d converted. 
    Tuchel went hell-for-leather at the break, switching to a back four as he brought on Hakim Ziyech and Mateo Kovacic for Kante and Andreas Christensen. 
    But after 46 seconds of the second period, catastrophe struck as Casemiro wellied one upfield and Edouard Mendy, 30 yards off his line and with time to burn, chested down casually and horribly scuffed a pass towards Rudiger. 
    The big German still ought to have won a 50-50 with Benzema but he got his feet in a tangle and allowed the main man to claim the match ball by rolling into an empty net.
    Chelsea wouldn’t go quietly – Cesar Azpilicueta rocketed one from 20 yards, forcing Courtois to leap and tip over.  
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    Then, Lukaku arrived and was soon presented with that glaring chance – heading wide from an Azpilicueta cross, before Mason Mount thundered a long-ranger just over.
    There was no lack of energy from Chelsea but they could not match Benzema’s class – and hadn’t Tuchel just known it all along. 
    Carlo Ancelotti was animated on his return to Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP More

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    Karim Benzema breaks Champions League scoring record with stunning hat-trick against Chelsea

    KARIM BENZEMA further etched himself into Champions League folklore with a brilliant hat-trick against Chelsea.The Real Madrid hitman put the Blues to the sword in the first half of their quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with two stupendous headers.
    Karim Benzema ran riot in Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with ChelseaCredit: GETTY
    The 34-year-old bagged a hat-trick in the first-leg of the quarter-final tie at Stamford BridgeCredit: REUTERS
    His exploits at the Bridge saw him break the record for the most Champions League goals scored by a Frenchman in a single seasonCredit: AP
    And the 34-year-old heaped further misery on the crisis clubs shortly after the restart by capitalising on a howler from Edouard Mendy to bag his and Real’s third.
    Benzema’s third goal of the evening saw him break the record for the most Champions League goals scored in a single season by a Frenchman.
    Prior to Real’s trip to west London, Benzema trailed David Trezeguet, Wissam Ben Yedder and international team-mate Kylian Mbappe – all of whom had scored eight goals in a single campaign in Europe’s elite club competition – in the list.
    But the veteran striker now stands alone at the top of the pile having found the back of the net nine times in Real’s latest European campaign.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REF RAGE .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’He wanted a Benzema hat-trick’ – Aspas accuses ref of match-fixing
    Footy fans took Twitter in their droves to hail Benzema, with one saying: “Benzema is the best player in the world.”
    Another said: “Benzema is so cold.”
    And another said: “Nobody can tell me otherwise, I swear Benzema is the best player in the world.”
    One remarked: “Benzema is crazy… GOOD!!!”
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    Another chimed in: “Benzema STOP IT.”
    Benzema’s hat-trick against the Blues was his second in his last two Champions League outings – the first of which came last month in the round-of-16 against PSG.
    One footy fan tweeted: “Back-to-back Champions League hat-tricks for Karim Benzema.
    “He’s 34-years-old, by the way.”
    Another asked: “Wait what the f**k KARIM BENZEMA NOW HAS BACK TO BACK UCL HATTIES????”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TEACHER’S SHAME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Teacher, 21, who had sex with boy, 15, now ‘bitterly regrets’ seducing him
    Benzema’s exploits at Stamford Bridge took his tally for the season to a staggering 37 goals in 36 appearances.
    Benzema and his Real team-mates will be back in action on Saturday night, welcoming Getafe to the Bernabeu. More

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    ‘The new Karius’ – Watch Edouard Mendy’s HORROR mistake as Chelsea keeper gifts Karim Benzema hat-trick for Real Madrid

    EDOUARD MENDY has been compared to Loris Karius after a shocking mistake against Real Madrid in the Champions League.The Chelsea goalkeeper, 30, had already seen Karim Benzema bag a brilliant first-half double – before gifting him his hat-trick goal straight after half-time.
    Hat-trick for Benzema! ✔️The worst possible start to the second half for Chelsea… 😔A terrible defensive mix up between Édouard Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger allows a tap in for Real Madrid’s star man ⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/GJDtp3IM6u— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2022

    Karim Benzema wheels away after scoring past Edouard MendyCredit: EPA
    Benzema rolls the ball beyond the Senegalese stopperCredit: AFP
    Mendy got on the ball way outside of his penalty area, before attempting a simple sideways pass to Antonio Rudiger.
    He miskicked his effort, however, hopelessly selling Rudiger short.
    The German then put in a weak attempt at a tackle, leaving Benzema free to roll the ball into the unguarded net.
    Mendy’s horror exchange left fans online comparing him to error-prone Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius – who famously gifted Benzema a goal in the 2018 Champions League final.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on Chelsea.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BLUES NEWS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Roman Abramovich ‘begs Rush Hour director for money’ EXCLUSIVE
    One tweeted: “Mendy pulled a Karius on Chessy fans.”
    While a second wrote: “The Spirit of Loris Karius lives in Mendy.”
    A third added: “Mendy Has Had An Absolute Loris Karius There.”
    Benzema, 34, had gotten Madrid off the perfect start in the first-half of this quarter-final clash.
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    The Frenchman headed his side into the lead on 21 minutes, sensationally directing Vinicius Jr’s left wing cross beyond Edouard Mendy.
    He then repeated the trick just a few minutes later, nodding Luka Modric’s centre past the helpless goalkeeper.
    Chelsea rallied before half-time, however, and last season’s final hero Kai Havertz headed them back into the tie after Jorginho’s deep cross.
    But Mendy’s gaffe left Thomas Tuchel’s side in a tricky position, as they went down 3-1 to the 13-time Champions League winners.
    Benzema famously drew a mistake from Loris KariusCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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    Thibaut Courtois booed by Chelsea fans on return to Stamford Bridge with Real Madrid in Champions League tie

    THIBAUT COURTOIS was booed by Chelsea supporters as he returned to his former club with Real Madrid.The Belgian goalkeeper spent seven years with the Blues and has already faced them since his departure.
    Thibaut Courtois was booed by Chelsea fans on his return to Stamford BridgeCredit: EPA
    Fortunately for him, that was when fans were still not allowed to attend games due to the Covid crisis in last season’s semi-final.
    However, he had nowhere to hide in East London this evening as the 29-year-old received a hot reception from the Blues faithful.
    His name was roundly jeered before kick off as the line-ups were read out.
    And then he came in for more flak after the teams swapped ends after the toss as the Matthew Harding Stand greeted his comeback with abuse.
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    The ill-feeling comes from the goalie forcing his move to Madrid back in 2018.
    But if he thought that would be the end of it, he was mistaken.
    Every time he touched the ball the boos rang out around the Bridge, despite his pleas beforehand – and there was even a chorus of: “Thibaut you’re a c***!”
    He told Real Madrid’s official website beforehand: “I hope that they don’t boo me but you never know.
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    “I’m prepared for whatever comes and we’ll have to see how it goes.
    “I hope it’s a happy return to Stamford Bridge. We’re now rivals. They’ll want to win and the same goes for me too and so I’m not expecting any applause from the fans.”
    Courtois joined Chelsea in 2011 and played 154 times for them, helping the Blues to win the Premier League twice. More

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    Chelsea £3bn takeover bidder Todd Boehly seen arriving at Stamford Bridge for Champions League tie with Real Madrid

    PROSPECTIVE Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was at Stamford Bridge for the Blues’ massive Champions League clash with Real Madrid.The American billionaire is part of a consortium still in the running to take ownership of the west Londoners.
    Todd Boehly was spotted outside of Stamford Bridge ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Real MadridCredit: Sky Sports
    Todd Boehly, who is leading a consortium to buy Chelsea Football Club, arrives at Stamford Bridge for tonight’s Champions League game vs Real Madrid 🏟pic.twitter.com/YmqI0CEYou— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 6, 2022

    Boehly jetted into London this week to hold talks with the Blues brass about acquiring the crisis club from sanctioned Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
    And he opted to get a taste of what he could be in for as he watched the first leg of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Real on Wednesday evening.
    Boehly was spotted making his way to Stamford Bridge an hour before kick-off.
    Blues fans were quick to comment on his presence, with one saying: “Casual billionaire walking in the Bridge.”
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Chelsea 0 Real Madrid 0 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vinicius Jr hits bar for visitors after early Havertz miss
    Another said: “Like his style, at least he’s interested enough to stick around for a big @ChelseaFC game, unlike others
    And another said: “The man for Chelsea!!!”
    One remarked: “Give this man the ownership.”
    Boehly and his consortium are currently going toe-to-toe with the Ricketts Family to take Chelsea off the hands of controversial Russian Abramovich.
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
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    The Ricketts family are currently the frontrunners to take over the current Champions League holders and have major plans for the club.
    Eric Nordness – who oversaw the Ricketts’ £760million redevelopment of the Chicago Cubs’ Wrigley Park stadium – told the Evening Standard: “We have the template.
    “I see so many eerie similarities, including the ground being next to the railway line, an urban, dense neighbourhood.
    “It’s a stadium that holds about the same amount — we’re 41,500, they’re about 42,000.
    “Stamford Bridge was first built in 1876, the Cubs were formed in 1876.
    American billionaire Boehly is heading a consortium in the running to buy ChelseaCredit: AFP
    “It would have been easier [for the Cubs] to leave and play baseball somewhere else. And it would have been less expensive.
    “But we knew the connection the fans had to Wrigley Field, we understood what kind of pain this would be.
    “We started construction in 2015. We won the World Series in 2016. Fans would have missed seeing it at Wrigley. Fans waited years for this. Generations. How horrible would that have been?
    “Unequivocally, we do not want to leave Stamford Bridge. We think it is super important.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TEACHER’S SHAME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Teacher, 21, who had sex with boy, 15, now ‘bitterly regrets’ seducing him
    “It is going to be extremely hard, but we have done this before. Our priority and desire is to play every season at Stamford Bridge.
    “We are the only ones (out of the bidders) that have done this and we know what the challenges are. I feel like we can do it.” More

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    Pep Guardiola used Man City ballboys to stop Atletico Madrid time-wasting in Champions League first leg

    PEP GUARDIOLA used Manchester City’s ballboys to try and curb Atletico Madrid’s time-wasting last night.The reigning LaLiga champions have gained a reputation for partaking in the “dark arts” during Diego Simeone’s tenure with the club.
    Manchester City ballboys were instructed to quickly give Atletico players new ballsCredit: CityTV
    Pep Guardiola was meticulous in his game planCredit: Rex
    In an effort to prevent Atleti from time-wasting from the off, Guardiola gave his ballboys very clear instructions.
    According to The Athletic, Guardiola told City’s ballboys to ensure that new balls were supplied to players immediately whenever it went out of play – even if it was to an Atletico player.
    Sometimes ballboys may be a little reluctant to hand the ball quickly to opposition players, because of the risk of counter-attacks catching their team off guard.
    This time around, however, Guardiola reportedly recorded a video message for the club’s ballboys – telling them that they were to play an “important” role in his tactical plan.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}BRING IT HOME .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}England’s opener vs Iran to be shown on BBC as World Cup TV schedule revealed
    City’s ball kids are taken from their Under-12 and Under 14 sides.
    Some are claimed to have joked that they had “never been so nervous in their lives”.
    The ball boys followed Guardiola’s instructions, constantly getting new balls into the hands of Atletico players, as their side won 1-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
    Despite their incredibly negative game plan, at times appearing to play a 5-5-0 formation, Guardiola refused to publicly criticise Simeone and Co.
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    He said: “What is ugly? What is playing ugly? I don’t know what playing ugly is.
    “My team were winning at Old Trafford 1-0 or 2-0, Bernardo went to the corner and spent four or five minutes in the corner.
    “This is ugly? No, it’s not ugly.
    “It’s being smart, it’s defending with the ball in the final third to not concede counter-attacks and defending our position. That’s all.
    “I’m here to talk about what we do to try to play, I never judge the opponents.”
    Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring his side’s winnerCredit: Getty More