Chelsea will have a mountain to climb after they were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
The Blues went into the game as the underdogs and after a bright start from the visitors Real Madrid let their quality show. Goals in either half from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio were enough to give Real Madrid a comfortable lead going into the second leg.
Chelsea’s job was also made harder in the second half by Ben Chilwell receiving a straight red card for a foul on Rodrygo.
Here’s how the players rated at the Santiago Bernabeu:
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois – 7 – Didn’t really have too much to do, with Chelsea having just seven shots overall (three on target). Pulled out a wonderful save to prevent what would have been a Militao own goal just after Real Madrid took the lead.
Dani Carvajal – 8 – Worked well defensively even though he wasn’t tested too much. Put a great chipped ball into the box for Vinicius in the build up to the opener. Picked up a needless yellow card late on but it didn’t take away from his performance.
Eder Militao – 8 – Put good pressure on Felix’s shot early on when the Portuguese forward had been played through and aside from one moment where he was turned, kept the Chelsea man in his pocket.
David Alaba – 8 – Great touch to take the ball away from Sterling when he looked to be played in by Koulibaly in the first half and was as fantastic was his defensive teammates.
Eduardo Camavinga – 8 – Booked for a foul on Sterling early on but didn’t let that get in his way with a good performance in what isn’t his natural position.
Luka Modric – 9 – If you weren’t paying too much attention to the match
you might be forgiven for not realising Modric was on the pitch, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t in total control of the midfield. The Croatian dictated the play with ease, completing 94.6% of his passes, nullifying Chelsea’s trio while also winning possession a match-high 11 times.
Federico Valverde – 8 – This wasn’t a lone effort by Modric, however, as Valverde was also excellent, having more touches than any other player on the pitch and completing 70 passes.
Toni Kroos – 8 – Completing the trio, rolling back the years, Kroos made more passes than any other player (76) and was the metronome of the Real Madrid midfield.
Rodrygo – 7 – Slightly less busy than his wing partner but Rodrygo caused Chelsea a few problems including a neat give and go with Benzema to get a shot away in the first half.
Karim Benzema – 7 – Wasn’t as dangerous as we know he can be but he made an impact when it mattered. Tapped in from close range after Kepa had spilled Vinicius’ effort, following the ball when no one else was. Before that he showed great footwork inside the box to get a shot away.
Vinicius Junior – 8 – After last season’s good battle, Vinicius definitely come out on top against James and Fofana, running the latter ragged. Showed good strength against Fofana to win the ball from Carvajal and then had great awareness to pass the ball to Asensio on the edge of the box for the second – a clear set piece routine.
Vinícius Júnior had 19 touches in the opposition box against Chelsea, the most in a single #UCL knockout stage match in the last seven seasons at least. ? https://t.co/VqiZzMAFMi
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 12, 2023
Substitutes:
Marco Asensio (for Rodrygo 71) – 7 – Doubled Real Madrid’s lead just a few minutes after coming on.
Antonio Rudiger (for Camavinga 71) – 6 – Didn’t really have much to do defensively after coming on against his former club.
Dani Ceballos (for Modric 81) – N/A – A late sub.
Aurelien Tchouameni (for Kroos 84) – N/A – A late sub.
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Chelsea
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 5 – Questions will be asked as to whether he could have dealt with Vinicius touch better, pushing it into the path of Benzema. Made a decent stop on Rodrygo in the first half and was unsighted for Asensio’s goal. With a better goalkeeper, Chelsea might have done better.
Wesley Fofana – 3 – Booked for a foul on Vinicius on the halfway line in fifth minute, signs of the struggles he would go onto have against the Brazilian. Outmuscled by Vinicius in the build up to the first goal and missed the block on Asensio’s effort for the second – though you can’t blame him for it going in. Regardless, it was a horrible night for the young Frenchman, who had been looking impressive of late. Chelsea will be hoping he learns from this.
Thiago Silva – 6 – Great clearance off the line to stop Vinicius from making it 2-0 and he looked like the only Chelsea defender who knew what he was doing.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 5 – Allowed Benzema to run past him without challenge for the opening goal, being caught on his heels. Showed strength on Rodrygo to recover in the second half but the chance came because he had been caught out by a long ball over the top. Came off with an injury which will have Chelsea worried.
Reece James – 4 – The Englishman gave Vinicius a game last season but this was a walkover. Didn’t get forward as much as he would have liked and he seriously struggled defensively. Gave the ball away far too easily in the build up to the opening goal but did almost immediately make up for it with a good cross. He’s not the same.
N’Golo Kante – 7 – Chelsea’s best player on the night, often holding the midfield together at times and their best attacks came through him – both with his dribbling and passing. Quietened down as the game progressed but that’s to be expected as he has only just come back from injury.
Enzo Fernandez – 5 – Looked very sloppy in midfield in the first half, far from the quality he has shown at Chelsea so far. Grew in the second half but it could still be he worst performance at Chelsea — given the high standards he has set.
Mateo Kovacic – 3 – Absolutely lost in midfield.
Ben Chilwell – 4 – Angered the fans and Dani Carvajal taking his time on throw-ins, which would have added to the glee when he was sent off for last-man foul on Rodrygo outside the box, hauling him down. One of the easiest red cards you’ll see, and he didn’t really get into the game otherwise.
Raheem Sterling – 4 – Made a couple of good runs off the ball early on but really didn’t have an impact on the match. Almost forced an equaliser from James’ cross but it turns out Militao got the touch on the ball, not Sterling.
Joao Felix – 3 – Should have given Chelsea the lead early on having broken through on goal but his shot wasn’t the best. Had another good opportunity after turning Militao but, again, the shot was poor. The story of his Chelsea career so far, Felix was not the man Frank Lampard needed tonight. His performance was part of the reason Chelsea have now failed to score in four consecutive games across all competitions for the first time since November-December 1993 when Arsenal, Man City, Sheffield United and Blackburn kept them out.
Chelsea have failed to score in four consecutive games for the first time since December 1993:
◉ 0 vs. Aston Villa
◉ 0 vs. Liverpool
◉ 0 vs. Wolves
◉ 0 vs. Real MadridFiring blanks. #UCL pic.twitter.com/B8SkdkxbeT
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 12, 2023
Substitutes:
Marc Cucurella (for Koulibaly 55) – 4 – Caught out almost immediately for Chilwell’s red card. Chelsea fans will be worrying about him having to start next week at wing-back.
Kai Havertz (for Sterling 65) – 4 – Made no real difference to the man he replaced.
Trevoh Chalobah (for Felix 65) – 5 – Brought on to take Chelsea to a back five again.
Conor Gallagher (for Kante 75) – 5 – Didn’t really do too much.
Mason Mount (for Silva 76) – 5 – Had a late shot but the game was done by then.