Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Three things to look for in UCL semifinal

Chelsea's German head coach Thomas Tuchel (R) celebrates with Chelsea's German defender Antonio Rudiger after the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. - Chelsea won 1-0. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Chelsea’s German head coach Thomas Tuchel (R) celebrates with Chelsea’s German defender Antonio Rudiger after the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 17, 2021. – Chelsea won 1-0. – (Photo by BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Chelsea’s defense vs Madrid’s attack

This is not literally about the better attack versus the better defense because Chelsea has a better attack and a better defense than Real Madrid. Real Madrid has conceded 11 goals in 10 Champions League matches, while Chelsea has conceded just three goals in the same period. The Blues have the best defensive record in the Champions League, whereas Los Blancos have the worst defensive record of all the teams left in the Champions League.

Interestingly, Chelsea and Manchester City have the same defensive record in terms of goals conceded, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have the same defensive record. The Blues have conceded 0.3 goals per game in the Champions League, while Real Madrid have conceded 1.1 goals per game. Chelsea’s ability to starve Real Madrid of chances, clear cut of not, will be crucial in getting the desired result from this tie. Past matches have shown that Real Madrid only needs a moment or two to decide games with a passer like Kroos though.

Real Madrid have a more mature attack than Chelsea, and they have a football icon in Karim Benzema leading the line. Benzema is a superb striker and all-round footballer, players don’t acquire as many trophies and awards as he has without being short of exceptional. If Tuchel’s men can deny the Galacticos chances, they should be able to get by Zinedine Zidane’s men with ease. The Blues have gotten three big chances per game in the Champions League this season, compared to Madrid’s 2.7. The Blues also have Hakim Ziyech, who has created four big chances this season and would be perfect for this game. Chelsea just needs to withstand some pressure from Real Madrid, and there will be pressure, but the Blues should be fine

Next. Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Champions League semifinal storylines. dark

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