Another 2-0 victory for Madridistas in the 2nd leg of UCL quarters. Real Madrid marched on in their defense of their European crown as they booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the 11th time in the last 13 competitions. Carlo Ancelotti‘s men defeated Chelsea in the return leg at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a brace from Rodrygo. The Brazilian rounded off two scintillating moves to secure the spoils for the Whites, who will battle it out with the Manchester City for a place in the final just like they did last year.
It was a fairly beautiful game that started with a high rhythm. Both teams were trying their chance to score first as one scored goal in these UCL situations really has a strong influence in the game and Real Madrid knows this very well. That’s why Ancelotti’s strategy was against being more defensive than offensive in the team’s maneuvers. Instead, Madrid opted for a balanced game. The team had to be strong in all departments and that’s what happened. There were good chances to score but also great interventions by Courtois. On the other hand Chelsea looked more solid and determined than in the 1st leg, but they were not sharp enough to beat Ancelotti’s men.
The first half was played at a frenetic pace from the kick-off and although both sides carved out chances to score, the half ended goalless. The game’s first opening was for the hosts in the 10th minute when Kanté fired a left-footed strike off target from inside the area. Madrid soon responded with Rodrygo driving into the box and evading the challenges of two defenders to rifle a shot against the post with 20 on the clock. Ancelotti’s men went close again on 32’. This time Modrić forced Kepa into a smart save. In first-half stoppage time, Courtois, pulled off un unbelievable save to deny Cucurella from point-blank range – the Real Madrid keeper spreading himself sensationally when it seemed the Spanish defender would score.
Rüdiger came on for Alaba after the break and the Whites came out the stronger of the two sides. Chelsea could have opened the scoring however, but Kanté's shot from inside the six-yard box crashed into Militão's body in the 52nd minute. The European champions' first goal would come just six minutes later. Militao played a long ball to Rodrygo, who beat Chalobah for speed and put in a perfect cross. The ball then found its way to Vini Jr, who set up Rodrygo, and the forward made no mistake slotting home with his left foot despite having several Blues players trying to block the goal.
Everything became more complicated for the English side as the Blues needed three goals to avoid elimination and take the game into extra time, but they became weaker both physically and psychologically after the 1st goal. Despite their need to score and keep trying, it was Ancelotti's side who eventually got better as the pressure was not on their side. They came very close to a second in the 65th minute from Benzema's left-footed shot from close range. Chelsea’s efforts became more predictable and less danger posing as the time progressed and it looked like they were truly giving up. In the 80th minute, Real Madrid sealed a place in the semi-final with another goal from Rodrygo, assisted by Valverde, after a beautiful team move. The White Team finished with a clean sheet for the fifth time in the last six games as the remaining minutes did not produce any other goals.
Real Madrid further enhanced their record in the semi-finals of the European Cup after edging out Chelsea over two legs in the quarter-finals. The Whites will now be playing in their 32nd semi-final in the history of this competition, a remarkable milestone, with Bayern Munich the closest club, with 20. Madrid have made it to the semi-finals in 11 of the last 13 Champions League competitions. This run goes back to 2011 and encompasses Carlo Ancelotti's previous tenure as coach, who has consistently led Madrid to the last four of the European tournament. Under the Italian's guidance, in 2014 they met Bayern before going on to secure La Décima. In 2015, they faced Juventus in the semi-finals, while 2022 produced an exhilarating tie against Manchester City on the road to La Decimocuarta.
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