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      Thomas Tuchel tells Timo Werner to ‘get his chin up’ as Chelsea striker’s misery continues with Real Madrid howler

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      THOMAS TUCHEL is standing by Timo Werner despite admitting his star striker suffered another stinker.Christian Pulisic’s precious away goal puts Chelsea in command of their Champions League semi final against Real Madrid.
      Timo Werner had another miserable night in front of goal for ChelseaCredit: Rex
      This was Werner’s glorious chance to hit the back of the netCredit: BT Sport
      But boss Tuchel reckons it could have been even better had it not been for missed chances to put the first-leg to bed – with £47million Werner guilty of a second horrendous miss in successive games.
      Tuchel said: “He missed a big one at West Ham and missed another one here that doesn’t help.
      “But it also does not help to cry about it, or to regret it all the time.
      “It is like this. There are millions of people who have harder things to deal with than chances you miss, so this is the good thing about sport. Nobody cares tomorrow.
      “We were sad and angry at the time. He is angry and maybe disappointed.
      “Tomorrow he has a free day then he has to get his chin up. He is a professional guy, a top guy.
      “He is getting in the positions so from there we go on. We will never stop pushing or believing I have the feeling everyone accepts the situation like it is. If he scores in the next game nobody will speak about it.
      “Our goal was well deserved and we should have scored at least one more.
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      Thomas Tuchel has defended his misfiring striker WernerCredit: Getty

      “We looked confident and strong and conceded a goal out of nothing and that can always happen against individual quality. A bit more composure and precision and we could have won.”
      Werner missed a golden chance to put Chelsea ahead in the opening attack of the first leg and was hooked with 24 minutes left. He has scored only three goals this year.
      Tuchel pointed to the hectic Premier League schedule as another factor which hampered his team’s chances of a shock win in Spain.
      He added: “Maybe we could have decided this match In the first half an hour when we were playing so, so strongly.
      “We only had two days in between two away games. Those games were very demanding physically and mentally so you could feel that in the decision making, losing the ball and acceleration. One more day would have been great for us.
      “Nothing is sure. Everything is possible and we have to fight for every advantage that we want to have. We believe in ourselves.”

      Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard came off the bench following injury to face his old club but failed to make an impact.
      The Belgian midfielder admitted: “It could be worse, could be better. I feel in better condition now so I’m happy I can play again. It’s always good to play against friends. But I just want to win.”
      Chelsea will reach their second Champions League final if they stop Madrid scoring in next Wednesday’s second leg in London.
      Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane said: “We had some difficulties in the first half but in the second we were better so its a fair result. We played a very good team, very fast especially on their top line.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta reacts to Champions League first leg draw against Real Madrid More

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      Real Madrid 1 Chelsea 1: Pulisic bags precious away goal to give brilliant Blues edge in Spain despite Benzema stunner

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      GOOD things come to those who wait – and Chelsea are relishing their chance to have a crack at Europe’s grandest club.Legend has it that Roman Abramovich decided to buy into football after watching a classic fixture between Real Madrid’s Galacticos and Manchester United.
      Christian Pulisic scored as Chelsea drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in SpainCredit: PA
      Karim Benzema smashed home a brilliant equaliser for Real MadridCredit: AP
      Then American made straight for the touchline to celebrate with one of the coaching staffCredit: Rex
      The Russian had to wait 18 years before his team faced Real but they outplayed the Spanish champions for long stretches and they have the edge heading into next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
      The rat pack who wanted a European Super League would have made this a regular fixture.
      Chelsea fans want their cold nights at Stoke – but a soaking wet night on the outskirts of Madrid proved a rare treat too. 
      In particular, a belting first half which saw Christian Pulisic fire Chelsea in front before Karim Benzema netted a glorious equaliser.
      Had Benzema and Chelsea’s bashful striker Timo Werner swapped sides, then Thomas Tuchel’s men would be home and hosed halfway through this Champions League semi-final. 
      Werner squandered a couple of excellent chances before he was hauled off soon after the hour mark.  
      Chelsea are favourites now to advance to next month’s final in Istanbul. 
      They possessed greater energy and ingenuity than Real, often making the 13-time European champion look what they were – an ageing side.
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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was delighted with his wingerCredit: Reuters
      Not for the first time, Real Madrid were indebted to their French strikerCredit: EPA

      While Chelsea painted themselves as reluctant participants in that European Super League scheme, Real president Florentino Perez was the ringmaster of the whole circus and has been suffering from the delusion that the plot isn’t over.
      On the pitch, though, Real have been grounded in pragmatic realism of late – three of their previous four fixtures having been goalless draws.
      With Tuchel’s Chelsea having kept 16 clean sheets in 21 matches, you would not have billed this as a song-and-dance show. But it ended up being a lively watch, a proper game of football.
      Tuchel chose an unchanged starting line-up for the first time in his Chelsea reign – sticking with the side which beat West Ham on Saturday, with the German insisting he didn’t want them to ‘over-perform’.
      Eden Hazard came off the bench to face his former clubCredit: Getty
      That soon sounded like an almighty bluff from the German, though, as Chelsea started like the clappers.
      The Blues might easily have been ahead within 10 minutes but for the timidity of Timo Werner.
      Mason Mount broke, leaving Luka Modric in his wake, and centred for Pulisic to cushion a header to Werner, six yards out.
      But the German’s finish had little conviction and former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois stuck out his right boot to save.
      Thomas Tuchel and his rain-soaked coat have some fun with the footballCredit: Rex
      Still, four minutes later, Chelsea were in front, Antonio Rudiger’s perfectly-timed lobbed pass releasing Pulisic, who checked, then dribbled round Courtois and slotted between two defenders on the line.
      As the rain started to lash it down, Benzema served warning with a darting run and bent a 20-yard shot which grazed the outside of the post.
      Chelsea, though, were right at it. N’Golo Kante was consistently striding past Real’s stately midfield of Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos – and Ben Chilwell shot narrowly wide.
      But then Real forced a corner, played it short, Marcelo swung in a cross to the back stick for Casemiro to nod it back for Eder Militao, who touched it on for Benzema.
      Timo Werner had another fruitless time in front of goalCredit: Rex
      The finish was a thing of beautiful brutality, the Frenchman assisting himself with head down, then swivelling and ramming a volley past a stunned Edouard Mendy. Wallop.
      That goal, Benzema’s 71st in the Champions League, meant that only Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have scored more in the competition.
      Puddles were beginning to form on the pitch, players were slipping, with Real’s players looking as if they were competing in a wet T-shirt contest.
      Chelsea were soon breaking again, though, Pulisic feeding Werner, who shot into the side-netting when he ought to have located Mount in the centre.
      After the break, the tempo dropped and the quality levels sagged – Thiago Silva Rolls-Royceing it at the back for Chelsea whenever Real threatened.
      Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane wipes some rain off his faceCredit: Rex
      Then Zidane sent for Eden Hazard, Chelsea’s former talisman, who has struggled so badly with injury since leaving Stamford Bridge for the Bernabeu in 2019.
      Simultaneously, Tuchel made triple substitution – Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Reece James on for the hapless Werner, goalscorer Pulisic and skipper Cesar Azplicueta.
      It was Chelsea’s changes which made the stronger impact, injecting energy into the visiting side.
      But Hazard’s craft and guile began to make a mark and Chelsea suffered a hairy moment when a Rafael Varane header from a corner deflected wide off Chilwell.
      Hazard may start back at his old playground next Wednesday and that could make a difference.
      But Chelsea have the away goal and they will have the confidence to go all the way to Istanbul.
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      Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta reacts to Champions League first leg draw against Real Madrid More

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      Dortmund set to DOUBLE Jude Bellingham’s wages to £84k a week to fend off Chelsea transfer approach

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND are set to DOUBLE Jude Bellingham’s wages in a bid to fend off Chelsea’s approach, according to reports.The ex-Birmingham teenager, 17, has been in sensational form this season, with Thomas Tuchel keen to bring him back to England.
      Borussia Dortmund are set to double Bellingham’s wages to £84,000 per week to keep him out of Chelsea’s clutchesCredit: Reuters
      But in a bid to keep Chelsea and the chasing pack at bay, Dortmund are set to raise Bellingham’s pay from £42,000 to £84,000 per week, according to BILD.
      The two-cap England midfielder has played 44 times in all competitions for club and country this term following his £25million move from St Andrew’s last summer.
      And Bellingham has earned rave reviews both in the UK and Germany for his astonishing form.
      The former Championship star has particularly impressed in the Champions League in recent months.
      Bellingham scored a beauty of a goal in the second leg of his side’s quarter-final defeat against Manchester City having been robbed of another in the first leg.
      Dortmund have since revealed Bellingham is ‘untouchable’.
      However, other reports have suggested the German giants would be open to selling for fees of upwards of £100m.
      Chelsea have long been linked with a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice to bolster their midfield ranks.
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      But interest seems to have cooled since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January.
      Now it’s claimed they feel Bellingham would be more suited to the German boss’ style.
      Chelsea are now set to test Dortmund’s mettle just a year after they were were forced to fight tooth and nail to keep Jadon Sancho out of the clutches of Manchester United.
      For Bellingham, he will now miss Dortmund’s next Bundesliga game as the race for a Champions League spot hots up.
      The teenager picked up the first red card of his career during the 2-0 win over Wolfsburg after two bookable offences.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Eden Hazard’s former agent slams ex-Chelsea star’s Real Madrid transfer and says he should have joined Barcelona instead

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      EDEN HAZARD made a mistake in joining Real Madrid and should have signed for Barcelona instead, according to his former agent John Bico.The Belgian star, 30, quit Chelsea to move to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2019 – then arguably at the peak of his powers.
      Eden Hazard made a mistake moving to Real Madrid, according to his former agent John BicoCredit: The Mega Agency
      Ex-Chelsea star Hazard should have joined Barcelona instead, says BicoCredit: Reuters
      However, Hazard has struggled for form and has succumbed to injury after injury since moving to Spain.
      And former representative Bico has claimed joining Real was a mistake from the get-go.
      The agent even suggested hazard signing so soon after Cristiano Ronaldo quit to join Juventus in the summer of 2018 was a blunder.
      Bico told Belgian outlet La Derniere Heure: “It was a mistake to sign for Madrid at that time.
      “It was his choice, which he made with his heart but without reason.
      “He should never have gone to Real Madrid the year Cristiano Ronaldo left.
      “It was like climbing the Himalayas with his bare hands.”
      Bico continued by saying stylistically, Hazard should have chosen Barcelona instead as the Nou Camp giants play his type of football.
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      He added: “Eden is not a player for Madrid, but for Barca.
      “Madrid has a game with a lot of physical demand in terms of pace and intensity.
      “At Barca, the ball runs faster than the players, unlike Madrid, where the project does not match their appearance.
      “At Barca he would have had a great time, he would have had more freedom on the pitch, with the ball constantly at his feet…
      “He would have become the best player in the world.”
      Still struggling with injuries and form, Bico claimed Hazard needs a bit of tough love in his life to get back to his best.
      Bico roared: “[People] must stop talking to him as if he were 12 years old and make him face his responsibilities.
      “People are sweet to Eden, even [Belgium boss] Roberto Martinez… when he talks about him it seems that he is talking about the Virgin Mary.
      “You have to make him face his responsibilities, stop infantilising him.
      “He needs a challenge.”
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      Best XI to play for Chelsea and Real Madrid including Eden Hazard, Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele and Nicolas Anelka

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      CHELSEA travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid in the first-leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Tuesday night.And the big news going into the game revolved around Eden Hazard.
      The best XI of stars to have played for both Chelsea and Real Madrid
      The Belgian superstar, 30, quit the Blues to join Los Blancos in the summer of 2019 but has seen his time in the Spanish capital plagued by injuries.
      However, Hazard is fit to take on his former club on Tuesday, with Zinedine Zidane considering throwing him into his starting XI after coming off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Real Betis on Saturday.
      Hazard isn’t the only former Chelsea ace set to take to the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday night either, with Thibaut Courtois set to start.
      With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the best XI of stars to have played for both Chelsea AND Real Madrid through history…
      GK – THIBAUT COURTOIS
      Thibaut Courtois joined Real Madrid from Chelsea nearly three years agoCredit: AFP
      Chelsea: 2011-2018
      Games: 154
      Real Madrid: 2018-present
      Games: 122*
      THE giant Belgian goalkeeper joined the Blues in 2011 from Genk, but was shipped off on loan to Atletico Madrid for THREE straight seasons, stuck behind Petr Cech in the pecking order.
      But Courtois finally made the No1 jersey his own – winning two Premier League titles – before being sold to Real Madrid in 2018.
      After a tricky start to life in Spain, Courtois has rediscovered his top form at Los Blancos and helped them win the LaLiga crown last term.
      CB – CHRISTIAN PANUCCI
      Chrstian Panucci spent a season on loan at Chelsea having previously enjoyed three years at Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea: 2000-01 (loan)
      Games: 10
      Real Madrid: 1996-1999
      Games: 96
      PRECIOUS few defenders have played for both Real and Chelsea – but Italian right-back Panucci is one of them.
      Panucci – who started his career at AC Milan – spent three years at Los Blancos, racking up close to 100 games in all competitions.
      He even started the 1998 Super Cup final defeat at the hands of Chelsea in 1998, while winning one LaLiga and one Champions League title apiece.
      After joining Inter Milan, Panucci spent a season on loan at the Blues, playing just ten games.
      Panucci was later loaned to Monaco, before playing for Roma and Parma.
      Most-recently, the Italian was Albania’s national team manager between 2017 and 2019, having also led Ternana, Livorno following a spell as Russia’s No2.
      SW – CLAUDE MAKELELE
      Claude Makekele redefined the defensive midfielder role during his days at ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      Chelsea: 2003-2008
      Games: 217
      Real Madrid: 2000-2003
      Games: 140
      MAKELELE endured eight seasons or near anonymity plying his trade at Nantes, Marseille and Celta Vigo before getting his big break at Real Madrid.
      At Los Blancos the 71-cap former France international became a global star, winning two LaLiga titles and one Champions League crown as part of the Galacticos.
      His hot form caught the eye of Chelsea where he made ‘the Makelele’ role – the deep-lying playmaker position – his own.
      At the Blues, he won two Premier League titles and one FA Cup – to go with two League Cup crowns.
      Makelele later spent three years at Paris Saint-Germain, before retiring in 2011 and becoming assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti soon after.
      He is now technical mentor at Chelsea having held various roles at Swansea (No2), Bastia and Eupen (both manager).
      Due to a lack of defenders to play for both clubs, we’ve stuck Makelele in a more Franz Beckenbauer-esque sweeper position in an ultra-attacking XI.
      CB – RICARDO CARVALHO
      Carvalho followed Jose Mourinho first to Chelsea and then to Real Madrid six years laterCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Chelsea: 2004-2010
      Games: 210
      Real Madrid: 2010-2013
      Games: 77
      AFTER starring at Jose Mourinho’s Porto, Carvalho followed the Portuguese boss to Chelsea in 2004.
      In six years at the club, Carvalho won three Premier League crowns, to go with one FA Cup and three League Cups.
      But once again he followed Mourinho – this time to Real Madrid – where he would win one LaLiga and the Copa del Rey in three seasons.
      After life the Bernabeu, Carvalho spent three years at Monaco before enjoying a brief spell at Shanghai SIPG.
      He served as Marseille assistant manager under Andre Villas-Boas between 2019 and 2021.
      CHELSEA & REAL MADRID: Best of the rest
      MARCOS ALONSO – Real Madrid (2010), Chelsea (2016-present)
      SAMUEL ETO’O – Real Madrid (1997-2000), Chelsea (2013-14)
      GEREMI – Real Madrid (1999-2003), Chelsea (2003-2007)
      LASSANA DIARRA – Chelsea (2005-2007), Real Madrid (2009-2012)

      RM – ARJEN ROBBEN
      Arjen Robben played for Real Madrid and Chelsea but hit his top form at Bayern MunichCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea: 2004-2007
      Games: 106
      Real Madrid: 2007-2009
      Games: 65
      THE Dutch winger has gone down as a true footballing great, but arguably didn’t hit his stride until AFTER both Chelsea and Real Madrid.
      Having started his career at Groningen and PSV Eindhoven, the Blues signed Robben in 2004, where he would win two Premier League titles, as well as an FA Cup and two League Cups.
      He was sold to Real in 2007 – winning the LaLiga title in his first season.
      But it was at Bayern Munich where Robben enjoyed most success, getting his hands on an astonishing eight Bundesliga titles in ten years.
      Robben also won the 2012-13 Champions League and five DFB-Pokals.
      After a year out of football, Robben is now back at Groningen, where he has played three times in the Eredivisie this season at the age of 37.
      CM – MATEO KOVACIC
      Kovacic is now permanently at Chelsea having originally joined from Real Madrid on loanCredit: EPA
      Chelsea: 2018-19 (loan), 2019-present
      Games: 137*
      Real Madrid: 2015-2019
      Games: 109
      AFTER making a name for himself at Inter Milan, Kovacic signed for Los Blancos in 2015.
      The ex-Dinamo Zagreb midfielder would win one LaLiga crown and THREE Champions League titles as a Galactico.
      But he was loaned to Chelsea for the 2018-19 season, where his move was made permanent the following summer.
      Kovacic has played 137 times in all competitions for the Blues, winning the Europa League title in his loan season.
      He also helped Chelsea reach the FA Cup final last season – losing to Arsenal – and this season where the Blues face Leicester in May.
      CM – MICHAEL ESSIEN
      Essien played for Real Madrid on loan for one season during his Chelsea daysCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
      Chelsea: 2005-2014
      Games: 256
      Real Madrid: 2012-13 (loan)
      Games: 35
      THE Ghanaian ace spent nearly a decade at Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and one Champions League following a trophy-laden two years at Lyon.
      Essien racked up more than 250 appearances for the Blues – with all but nine of those coming before his loan season at Real.
      The midfielder was a key part of Madrid’s squad in 2012-13, playing 35 times – but failed to help win a trophy.
      That season, Real finished second in LaLiga, crashed out in the semi-finals of the Champions League and lost in the Copa del Rey final, winning only the Supercopa de Espana.
      Essien played nine times in all competitions in the 2013-14 season, before being sold to AC Milan.
      He later turned out for Panathinaikos, Indonesian side Persib Bandung and Azerbaijani club Sabail.
      Most-recently, Essien has taken on the role of player-coach of Danish club Nordsjaelland.
      LM – EDEN HAZARD
      Eden Hazard quit Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2019 but has struggled with injuriesCredit: PA
      Chelsea: 2012-2019
      Games: 352
      Real Madrid: 2019-present
      Games: 37
      AFTER making a name for himself at Lille, Hazard set the world alight at Chelsea where he quickly became one of the greatest footballers on the planet.
      In seven years at Stamford Bridge, Hazard won two Premier League gongs and two Europa League titles, as well as one FA Cup and League Cup apiece.
      He also won a huge amount of personal accolades, including 2014-15 Premier League Player of the Season and club Player of the Year four times.
      But after making his £150million move to Real Madrid, Hazard’s career has ground to a disappointing halt.
      The Belgian admitted he turned up to the club overweight and has since been in-and-out of the team through injury, managing just 26 LaLiga games in almost two seasons.
      ST – NICOLAS ANELKA
      Nicolas Anelka played for Real Madrid early in his journeyman career before joining Chelsea nearly a decade laterCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea: 2008-2012
      Games: 184
      Real Madrid: 1999-2000
      Games: 31
      HAVING already starred at both PSG and Arsenal, Anelka enjoyed a one-year cameo at Real Madrid before moving back to the French capital.
      Anelka managed just seven goals at the Galacticos, but did help them win the Champions League that season.
      After bouncing around the globe with spells at Liverpool (loan), Manchester City, Fenerbahce and Bolton, Anelka finally reached Stamford Bridge.
      The Frenchman settled down a little at the Blues, spending four-and-a-half years at the club, helping to win one Premier League title and two FA Cups in his near-200 games.
      Anelka would later play for Shanghai Shenhua, Juventus (loan), West Brom and Mumbai City before retiring.
      He is now sporting director at French fourth-tier side Hyeres having spent two years as youth coach at Lille.
      ST – GONZALO HIGUAIN
      Gonzalo Higuain was a superstar at Real Madrid but struggled mightily during his loan spell at ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Chelsea: 2019 (loan)
      Games: 264
      Real Madrid: 2007-2013
      Games: 19
      THE Argentine moved to Europe from River Plate in 2007 before enjoying six glittering seasons at Real.
      Higuain scored 121 times for the Bernabeu side, winning three LaLiga titles during his spell.
      The striker joined Napoli in 2013 and would break the Serie A single-season scoring record in 2015-16 with 36 goals in just 35 games before moving to Juventus.
      After two incredible seasons, he was loaned out to AC Milan and Chelsea, where his career unravelled somewhat, scoring just five times in 19 games.
      Higuain was let go by Juve and is now playing for David Beckham’s MLS franchise, Inter Miami.
      ST – ALVARO MORATA
      Alvaro Morata is another star to struggle at Chelsea but thrive in EuropeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Chelsea: 2017-2019
      Games: 72
      Real Madrid: 2010-2014, 2016-17
      Games: 95
      THE Spaniard actually started his youth career at Atletico Madrid, but finished it at Real via Getafe.
      However, he spent much of his formative years in the Castilla team – or ‘B’ team – and played just 52 times in all competitions before moving to Juventus.
      Morata shone in Italy, with real activating their buy-back clause to bring him back in the summer of 2016.
      But after one season – in which scored 20 goals in 43 games – Chelsea swooped to sign him in a £65m deal.
      In three years on the books of Chelsea, Morata scored just 24 times in 72 games before being loaned -and then sold – to Atleti.
      Morata was immediately loaned out to Juventus after Atletico brought in Luis Suarez – and following Moussa Dembele’s arrival he’s likely to never play for the Rojiblancos again.
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      How Chelsea lined-up last time they played Real Madrid with Zola and Casiraghi up front in Uefa Super Cup win

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      CHELSEA travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final first-leg on Tuesday night having not played the LaLiga giants since 1998.The Blues famously beat Los Blancos 1-0 in the Super Cup showdown that year.
      How Chelsea lined-up the last time they played Real Madrid in the 1998 Super Cup final
      Gus Poyet was the hero for Chelsea as his late winner off the bench won them the 1998 Super CupCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Gianluca Vialli’s side qualified for the one-off showdown after winning the 1997-98 Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Stuttgart 1-0 in the final thanks to a late winner from Gianfranco Zola.
      Meanwhile, Real Madrid clinched the Champions League title with a 1-0 win of their own having beaten Juventus – with Predrag Mijatovic grabbing the winner.
      And that set-up the first-ever one-legged Super Cup showdown, played at Monaco’s Stade Louis II in August.
      Chelsea were indebted to Gus Poyet on the south coast of France as he came off the bench to score an 83rd-minute winner.
      But who started that night in Monaco?
      Ed De Goey got the nod in goal, with SIX defenders shoehorned into Vialli’s XI.
      New signing Albert Ferrer – who joined from Barcelona that summer – took the right-back slot, with Graeme Le Saux on the left.
      Frank Leboeuf and Michael Duberry paired up in the heart of defence.
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      Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola in action against Real Madrid in 1998Credit: Getty

      How Chelsea could line up against Real Madrid in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg

      Marcel Desailly – fresh from moving to Stamford Bridge from AC Milan – played at the base of a midfield diamond.
      Dennis Wise and Celestine Babayaro played on the right and left of the diamond respectively.
      Roberto Di Matteo took on the No10 role behind Gianfranco Zola and Pierluigi Casiraghi – another summer buy from Lazio – in an all-Italian attacking trio.
      But none of them were able to break the deadlock in Monaco against a star-studded Real Madrid XI, which included the likes of Fernando Hierro, Raul, Clarence Seedorf and Roberto Carlos.
      Instead it was Blues icon Poyet who struck just 20 minutes after coming off the bench.

      The Uruguayan replaced Di Matteo shortly after the hour mark and rifled a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net to ultimately seal the win.
      Elsewhere, Brian Laudrup – a free summer signing from Rangers – also came off the bench, replacing Zola late on.
      Tore Andre Flo also enjoyed a brief run-out, coming on for Casiraghi with just one minute of the 90 remaining.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Watch Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel’s hilarious baffled reaction as Timo Werner misses SITTER against West Ham

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      THOMAS TUCHEL left fans in stitches with his hilarious reaction as Timo Werner missed an absolute sitter during Chelsea’s win over West Ham.The Blues had already taken a first-half lead through the German forward.

      Thomas Tuchel watched on in utter disbelief as Timo Werner missed an open goal
      But Werner, 24, missed a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 early in the second period.
      Mason Mount unleashed a superb effort on goal, which was well saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
      However, the Polish stopper could only palm the ball in the direction of Werner.
      The former RB Leipzig forward had an almost completely open goal to aim at with Fabianski still strew on the floor.
      But Werner somehow prodded the ball way, way wide.
      Werner jumped in the air and stomped in frustration, but fans couldn’t help but crack a smile as the camera panned to Tuchel.
      As the ex-Paris Saint-Germain chief watched the ball drift wide of the post he shook his head, widened his eyes and turned around in stunned amazement before storming back to the bench.
      Fans reacted in equal amazement, with one tweeting: “Tuchel’s face sums it up.”
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      🗣 “I think the second chance I have to score.”🗣 “I’m happy that I’m back on the scoresheet.” Goalscorer Timo Werner reflects on Chelsea’s important win at West Ham.Watch the reaction on Sky Sports PL 📺pic.twitter.com/FucBadEq4a— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 24, 2021

      Werner somehow scuffed the ball wide despite having nearly the whole goal to aim at
      Tuchel could barely believe Werner had poked the ball so far wide when offered an open goal

      Another wrote: “Timo Werner’s miss is something but Thomas Tuchel’s ‘he has missed that’ face is worth a replay.”
      A third joked: “Tuchel’s face after the Werner shank is the only joy I’ve had today.”
      Werner has developed something of a reputation for missing sitters during his debut season in England.
      The once prolific RB Leipzig striker has found his first campaign outside of Germany hard going.
      Werner has now scored six Premier League goals in 31 games.
      After the game, Werner reflected on the miss, saying: “The second chance I have to score.
      “But I have to come back slowly. One goal is enough. Two goals might be too much for the beginning.
      “This season it’s not only the confidence, maybe it’s also luck. Last year the ball always went in, this year it’s different.
      “I’m confident that the chances like my second one will also go in in the next weeks and months.”
      Tuchel added: “Werner always gives everything, he could have made it more comfortable…
      “But I am very happy because he played a very good match.”
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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says he has not spoken to owner Roman Abramovich since joining More

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      How Chelsea could line-up against West Ham with Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic injury doubts for trip to London Stadium

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      CHELSEA boss Thomas Tuchel could ring the changes for the trip to take on West Ham this weekend.The German boss was not happy with the level of performance his side put in in a 0-0 draw at home to Brighton on Tuesday.

      It was a limp performance by the Blues, who failed to win even a corner for the first time in a game since 2009.
      Blunder-keeper Kepa has earnt a recall recently, but it’s touch-and-go whether he retains the gloves from Edouard Mendy.
      The experienced Cesar Azpilicueta could return in the back three to rally the troops for the Premier League run-in.
      Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger could join the Spaniard in a back three with Thiago Silva struggling with a back injury.
      Reece James has hit some nice form and should bag right wing-back, with Ben Chilwell on the left.
      Mateo Kovacic is struggling with a knock, and could be replaced in the middle of the park by N’Golo Kante, alongside Jorginho.
      Mason Mount and a returned-to-form Christian Pulisic could provide the creativity for Timo Werner to finally get firing up top.
      Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz will be sweating on their places after poor performances against Brighton.

      Thomas Tuchel could ring the changes for the trip to West HamCredit: AFP

      Another option up top could be Olivier Giroud, with Werner pushed out wide or starting off the bench again.
      Chelsea and West Ham are level on points going into the clash – with both firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish.
      But the Hammers have some big injury problems, with influential captain Declan Rice and striker Michail Antonio out injured.
      Centre-half Craig Dawson is suspended and there are worries on Jesse Lingard’s fitness after he limped off in the defeat to Newcastle.
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      West Ham vs Chelsea – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More