Champions League

CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel became the first manager in Champions League history to avoid defeat in his first five games against Real Madrid.But the German came away frustrated with his side’s performance only earning a 1-1 draw.
Thomas Tuchel saw his Chelsea draw 1-1 with Real Madrid – but was frustrated with the resultCredit: Getty
The Blues moved quickly out the blocks, creating excellent chances – most notably spurned by Timo Werner.
They did manage to take a 14th minute lead through Christian Pulisic, only to be pegged back by an excellent Karim Benzema strike on the half hour.
According to Opta, the result means that Tuchel ‘has faced Real Madrid more often without losing in the Champions League than against any other opponent’.
And he is the only gaffer to have ever avoided defeat in his first five games in the competition against the Spanish giants.
But still, the 47-year-old wanted more.
He told BT Sport: “We started the game very very well, with a lot of courage and quality. We deserved to win the first half, we had chances.
“Unfortunately they scored from a set-piece and they had nothing else, we didn’t allow any chances.
“It was a disappointing score at half time. We had to stay calm and not lose confidence.
5 – Thomas Tuchel has faced Real Madrid more often without losing in the UEFA Champions League than against any other opponent (W1 D4) – in the competition’s history, he is the only manager to face Los Blancos as many as five times without ever losing. Elite. #UCL pic.twitter.com/QQGvAdKci0— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2021

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“The second half was very tactical, you could feel that we are a bit tired. We only had a few days to recover from another tough away game. We have to live with 1-1.
“The goal was well deserved and we should have scored at least one more.
“We conceded more or less out of nothing and that can always happen against individual quality.”
The two sides will reconvene next Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge to determine who will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City in the final.
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CHRISTIAN PULISIC went down a storm in rain-lashed Madrid as he fired Chelsea to the brink of a third Champions League final.The American grabbed a superb solo first-half strike to give the Blues a vital away goal.
Christian Pulisic with a superb solo effort! 🔥He kept his head to take the ball down, round Courtois, and finish off the move 👏👏👏Chelsea lead! pic.twitter.com/Fi15wVrwXl— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021

Christian Pulisic scored a brilliant goal in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw at Real MadridCredit: Getty
Real striker Karim Benzema volleyed home a stunning equaliser – his 71st Champions League goal  and 277th for the Spanish giants.
But Pulisic’s opener, the first conceded by ex-Blues keeper Thibaut Cortois in six hours, 44 minutes, has given Thomas Tuchel’s team a huge advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.
It could have been even better for the Blues had  Timo Werner not blown a golden chance from six yards out.
But the prospect of an all-English final in Istanbul is still on the cards, with Manchester City meeting Paris St Germain in tonight’s first leg of the other  semi.
Blues star Cesar Azpilicueta said: “It was a great finish from Christian. He is an amazing player.
“But we could have scored more goals and it  could have been a different result.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel added: “We started the game very very well, with a lot of courage and quality. We deserved to win the first half, we had chances.
“Unfortunately they scored from a set-piece and they had nothing else, we didn’t allow any chances.
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Cesar Azpilicueta believes Chelsea should have scored more in SpainCredit: Reuters

“It was a disappointing score at half time. We had to stay calm and not lose confidence. The second half was very tactical, you could feel that we are a bit tired.
“We only had a few days to recover from another tough away game. We have to live with 1-1.
“The goal was well deserved and we should have scored at least one more. We conceded more or less out of nothing and that can always happen against individual quality.”
“We started with courage. We knew we had to perform at our best level.””In the overall analysis, I think we performed well.”César Azpilicueta on the tie being level ahead of Chelsea’s home leg against Real Madrid…🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/m6BsBmYWS1— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021

Meanwhile, former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole hailed Chelsea’s performance on BT Sport.
But he also agreed the Blues need to take their chances better.
Cole explained: “Chelsea are great ball drivers. Mount, Pulisic, they drive with the ball and can take the ball up the pitch.
“But one thing that lets them down is the finishing touches.”
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DESPITE what the Spanish press were trying to insinuate before kick-off, Chelsea were very much the underdogs against Real Madrid.The LaLiga giants were certainly – and still will be – favourites to go through to the Champions League final because of the clear experience and quality they possess. 
Chelsea proved they were more than a match for Real Madrid as Christian Pulisic scored in a 1-1 drawCredit: EPA
Los Blancos are the experts of this competition and know exactly what it takes to win it regularly.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have won it just once back in 2012. 
However, the ‘underdogs’ absolutely bossed the semi-final first leg at Valdebebas and fully deserved to win it over the 90 minutes. 
Make no mistake, Real Madrid would have been the happier of the two teams at the end of this match despite it ending in a draw.
Zinedine Zidane would have been the much happier of the two managers at full-time, given how much better Chelsea played over 90 minutes. 
The Blues will be happy of course, they got the away goal through Christian Pulisic and did not lose the tie.
But with the chances and the possession they had – as well as the way they totally bossed a top-quality team – the Blues would have felt that they deserved to come away with a win and a more comfortable scoreline to take back to Stamford Bridge. 
Real Madrid were actually sitting deep and containing Chelsea through large periods of the second half.
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They sensed Chelsea were the better team on the night and could have quite easily won the game.
That would have put them in an incredible position to get to the final of the Champions League. 
Of course, they still might, and they have every chance to after that performance.
Thomas Tuchel’s men will be beaming with confidence after this game. 
They really made a statement to the world of football that will perhaps see them pegged less as the ‘underdogs’ in future matches.
It might also make a few more people in the game stand back and really take note of Tuchel’s Chelsea. 
If they can improve their work in the final third of the pitch, and make better decisions when attacking to get more goals, they will be a very scary and quality outfit to play against.
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CHELSEA grabbed a useful first-leg draw at Real Madrid, as they bid to reach their first Champions League final since 2012.Christian Pulisic gave Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead with a brilliant finish, before Karim Benzema showed similar class to pull the Spaniards level.
Christian Pulisic got Chelsea off to the perfect startCredit: PA
The result, and crucial away goal, gives the Blues a slight edge going into next week’s return leg in West London, although the tie very much remains in the balance.
Here is how SunSport’s Simon Phillips rated each Chelsea player on the night.
Edouard Mendy – 7
Surprisingly untested on the whole considering this was away tp Real Madrid.
Did his job well though when called upon though and had no chance of stopping Benzema’s world class finish. 
Andreas Christensen – 8
Looked very competent, as usual, and read the game very well.
Contributed nicely to the overall play when needed.
Thiago Silva – 9
Silva’s calmness at the centre of defence was a massive plus for Chelsea, as always, against all of Real Madrid’s know-how.
Intelligent forward passing is a real bonus keeping play moving.
Thiago Silva was his usual excellent selfCredit: AFP
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Antonio Rudiger – 7
Played a magnificent pass over the top for Pulisic to get Chelsea’s first half goal.
As usual, his pace was needed and his contribution overall was good.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Often looks a little leggy playing in the wing back role and it doesn’t quite suit him.
But he was there for experience and he used that well and put in a decent performance.
N’Golo Kante – 9
Was absolutely everywhere, once again. And was a real asset on the ball as well as in defence.
People say it is like having two players on the pitch and tonight he once again proved that to be a fact. World Class.
N’Golo Kante was excellent in midfieldCredit: AP
Jorginho – 8
A good shift from him and he looked full of confidence commanding those ahead of him.
Read the game well and did a good job defensively for Chelsea.
He was also often looking for the key pass over the top which he almost almost caught Madrid out with a couple of times.
Ben Chilwell – 7
Very neat and tidy performance as he helped Chelsea maintain pressure by keeping the ball moving.
Would have liked to have seen him contribute a bit better in the final third.
Mason Mount – 8
His driving with the ball on counter attacks was causing Real Madrid issues and he dribbled well.
His energy and constant harassing was a real thorn in the Spaniards’ side in the middle of the park.
Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic were both sharpCredit: Reuters
Christian Pulisic – 8
Took his goal very well under pressure and showed a calmness and great technical ability to round Thibaut Courtois and pick his spot in the back of the net.
Timo Werner – 6
Missed an easy chance early on, and his decision-making was a little off on counter attacks in the final third.
But his pace on the break was always a problem for an ageing Madrid side. 
Timo Werner added another terribly squandered opportunity to his collectionCredit: EPA
SUBSTITUTES
Reece James for Azpilicueta – 7Much needed fresh legs, speed, and physicality for Chelsea.
Hakim Ziyech for Pulisic – 8Lively when he came on and really looked to make things happen.
Kai Havertz for Werner – 8Instantly looked better than Werner and more useful in possession.
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PEP GUARDIOLA admits he will have sleepless nights if he thinks too much about Neymar.And the Manchester City boss believes the best way to stop PSG is to fight fire with fire and attack in France on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola is having sleepless nights about facing NeymarCredit: Reuters
The Brazilian is one of PSG’s main threats ahead of their Champions League semi-final against Guardiola’s CityCredit: Reuters
Pep is preparing to lead his team into only their second Champions League semi-final in their history.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have a strike force that is feared around the world with Kylian Mbappe, Angel di Maria as well as the Brazilian superstar Neymar.
But Guardiola said: “Always I believe that with the amount of quality that these players have, there are not defensive strategies to stop them.
“They are too good. I try to sleep well last night and I slept well when I was not thinking of them. That is the reality.
“We are going to try to stop them and the way we are going to do that is to defend well altogether as a team and play good football as a team and try to score goals.”
PSG have shown their quality by beating Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the competition this year.
And Guardiola believes the best plan is to go to France and impose their game right from the start.
He added: “The best balance is to have the ball. If you have the ball all the time the balance of the team is already there. It is the only way.
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“We are going to concede counter-attacks, they have the quality with Mbappe, Neymar, Di Maria, Verratti, Paredes, the physicality and the personality they have.”
Pep says he has learned from the mistakes made in previous years when City slumped out to French sides Monaco and Lyon – as well as Tottenham and Liverpool.
He added: “The only way to minimise these kind of things is impose your game like we are built since five years ago. Lyon beat us with counter-attacks, two or three mistakes we were done.
“We will try to impose our game. I learn from my experience in this competition that as much as you are close, in the latter stages, to who you are the more chance you have to go through.”
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