Chelsea held their very own away to Real Madrid however needed to settle for a 1-1 attract Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg after Karim Benzema scored an acrobatic objective to cancel out an early strike from Christian Pulisic. Chelsea made a vivid begin in heavy rain on the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium and deservedly went forward when US ahead Pulisic rounded Thibaut Courtois to attain within the 14th minute.
Thirteen instances European Cup winners Real seemed ragged and brief on concepts however pulled degree within the twenty ninth with a second of true class from the talismanic Benzema, who managed a knockdown earlier than volleying into the roof of the web. Chelsea seemed the higher aspect within the second half as properly however couldn’t break down Real once more after which needed to face up to some late stress from the hosts, who go to Stamford Bridge within the second leg on May 5 seeking to attain the ultimate for a fifth time in eight years.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was annoyed his aspect couldn’t take advantage of their early dominance. “We started the game very well, we were aggressive, we showed courage and quality, we deserved to win the first half. Unfortunately they scored from a set-piece, there was nothing else from them for us to defend,” he stated.
“It was a disappointing result at halftime the second half was a very tactical game. A bit more composure and precision in front of goal and we would have won the first half but we have to live with 1-1.”
This was the primary ever Champions League assembly between the 2 sides, who have been each named as founding golf equipment within the controversial European Super League final week earlier than Chelsea swiftly withdrew from the competitors. It was removed from an idyllic setting for such an event, performed on the tiny, empty enviornment positioned at Real’s coaching floor and the continuous rain made it more durable for both aspect to create flowing passing strikes.
The guests had the primary clear opening when Pulisic nodded throughout to Timo Werner however former Chelsea keeper Courtois thwarted the German striker together with his legs. Pulisic took no probabilities the subsequent time he bought into the world, controlling an extended ball from Antonio Rudiger and dribbling round Courtois earlier than calmly passing it into the web, regardless of the efforts of Raphael Varane and Nacho to dam the shot.
Benzema carved out Madrid’s first likelihood by his personal efforts, swivelling away from a Chelsea defender on the sting of the world earlier than aiming for the highest nook and hitting the submit. The Frenchman had higher fortune together with his subsequent try, controlling Eder Militao’s header following a nook earlier than unleashing an unstoppable strike, scoring his twenty eighth objective of the season and his 71st within the Champions League, becoming a member of Real nice Raul because the competitors’s joint-fourth prime scorer of all time.
The second half was extra cagey because the spirit Chelsea had confirmed early within the match dried up as they drained, though they nonetheless managed to regulate the sport whereas barely permitting Real a sniff till the tip. Real defender Marcelo admitted his aspect had underperformed however was assured about their possibilities of making it to the ultimate in Istanbul on May 29.
“We knew that could happen but there’s another game to come, we’re still feeling good and we know what we have to do, the return leg will be different. We didn’t dictate the pace of the game and had to adapt but we’re feeling calm.”
