Chelsea will be keen to bounce back from Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Brentford when they welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge. The two sides will clash tonight in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, with the return leg taking place on April 12.
Despite the defeat at the weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s side remains in a strong position to finish in the top four, with the Blues five points clear of fourth-placed Tottenham with a game in hand. And attentions now turn to retain the Champions League crown they won last season.
The Blues overcame Lille 4-1 on aggregate in the last round, but Real are likely to provide a sterner examination. Los Blancos, who former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti manages, is currently 12 points clear at the top of La Liga with only eight games remaining.
They also showcased their remarkable powers of recovery in the last-16 in coming from behind to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory over Paris Saint-Germain. However, Real were knocked out by Chelsea at the semi-final stage of last season’s competition.
Blues boss Tuchel has a number of injury concerns ahead of the tie; however, the return of Reece James during Saturday’s defeat to Brentford was one positive to come out of the match. Andreas Christensen was also on the bench and should be available for the quarter-final clash.
However, doubts remain over whether attacking duo Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi will be fit for Wednesday. So, with all of this being said, football.london takes a look at the full squad available to Tuchel for Chelsea’sChelsea’s clash with Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Defenders: Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Malang Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah, Marcos Alonso, Kenedy
Midfielders: N’GoloN’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Saul Niguez, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic
Forwards: Timo Werner, Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz
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