Chelsea were dumped out of the Champions League following a 2-0 second leg defeat to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge despite putting up a credible fight on a night where they could have at least scored had they been more ruthless in the final third. Rodrygo struck twice in the second half as Los Blancos booked their place in the semi-finals with a comfortable 4-0 aggregate victory. Express Sport provides you with the talking points from west London.
Two players fluff lines for Chelsea
It was a big call to play Trevoh Chalobah in a game of this magnitude and given the way he was exposed for Real Madrid’s opener – it’s a decision that could be perceived as one that backfired.
The defender’s passing wasn’t up to scratch and he struggled at times to read the speed of Rodrygo down the flank most notably for Real Madrid’s opening goal when he lunged in at the Brazilian.
He was left in a heap of the turf as the winger bared down on goal before eventually finishing off the move following good work from Vinicius and the same happened again around 10 minutes later when he took a clumsy swipe at the electric winger.
Cucurella threatened in attack but he missed the biggest chance of the night for Chelsea when they really needed to score.
The Spaniard fired the ball straight at Thibaut Courtois right before half-time and had that gone in, it could have been a different contest.
He didn’t have the worst game but it was a tie-defining moment where the Blues needed better.
Drogba comments far-fetched
Didier Drogba said pre-match that he not longer recognises his former club but this was a performance that displayed encouraging signs for the future. There was an identity to this valiant effort, one that warrants praise.
Chelsea actually looked like a team that were willing to fight for the badge and that simply hasn’t been the case in recent weeks. They fought tooth and nail for every ball.
The Ivorian said prior to the contest: “I knew this club with a certain class during the Abramovich era, but today I find it lacking. It’s very hard for me to see how they got rid of certain people…
“They should go back to the principles and values they had. I don’t recognise my club anymore.”
While Drogba is likely to have been attacking the club’s scattergun approach under Todd Boehly, it appears he was also taking a swipe at the state of affairs on the field.
And while Chelsea have undoubtedly endured a nightmare season to forget, you have to give them credit for the way they approached this second leg showdown.
Had they been more clinical and decisive in certain moments of the game, they even might have got something.
Yes there are problems upstiars but actually, this time might not be as far away as you think with a top manager at the helm.
Reece James back to best
Although it looked as though he still maybe carrying a knock, Reece James looked back to his best at right-back.
The England international had his hands full trying to deal with Vinicius Jr but he kept the Brazilian largely at bay, despite a major let-off in the first half.
Yet it wasn’t just James’ defensive stability that was impressive, it was also his ability to attack with conviction and devastation.
He went on a number of notable surges down the right flank and fizzed in a number of dangerous low balls that Chelsea were unable to covert.
James also displayed silky balance and immaculate close control as he used his speed to evade the Real Madrid press on the near touchline.
The right-back hasn’t looked fully fit since returning to the Chelsea first-team fold and while that remains true, this is the sharpest he has been all season.
The way he was driving with the ball was a sight to behold at times. He can be such an asset for both club and country moving forward if he continues to perform and operate at this level.
Courtois silences Chelsea fans
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced to stomach a fair share of abuse in the first half as the home support taunted the Belgian with an offensive chant.
Yet it seemed to give him extra motivation in his attempts to keep Chelsea at bay.
The pantomime villain made an integral stop to deny Marc Cucurella an opener on the night right before the half-time whistle when he left across his goal like a cat.
Courtois’ name was then ringing out from the away end as Real Madrid supporters showed their appreciation for their world-class goalkeeper.
Just to stir the pot, Courtois even kissed the Real Madrid badge in front of the Matthew Harding End to crank up the atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge.
New role for Kante
N’Golo Kante was fielded high up the field from Frank Lampard in a bid to press Real Madrid aggressively. It was surely a first in his career.
The Frenchman, who caught the eye in the first leg defeat at the Bernabeu, seemed to be playing in a front three at times for the Blues in a bid to introduce some energy further up the field.
The decision very nearly quickly paid dividends when a loose ball fell to Kante in the box before he lashed his effort wide of the mark inside the opening exchanges.
Kante was playing off the leash and was a constant threat down the right flank as he continued to attack with freedom, delivering a number of crosses into the box.
The World Cup winner is known for his tackling ability and interceptions but now it appears Lampard is willing to reinvent him as a forward-thinking midfielder that can set the tone with his press – just as Maurizio Sarri once thought.
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