The Champions League final awaits the boys in blue as they defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and won the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Saying that sentence earlier this year would have made me look crazy, the genuine turnaround of a team that looked down and out is remarkable. I am so proud of all the players, the managers (that includes Frank Lampard) and the board for putting all the blood, sweat and tears to reach another Champions League final. There is a huge task ahead, but throughout this entire knockout stage, Chelsea has never looked the worst side in a tie. Wednesday night was no different. The amount of chances that the Blues had could have made the scoreline more flattering, but from start to finish, the result was never in doubt.
I’m absolutely over the moon and don’t have any thing bad to say about this performance, every player did what they had to do. Therefore, they all will receive 10 out 10s, sorry to ruin the surprise. Here are the player ratings for Chelsea’s Champions League semifinal triumph:
Edouard Mendy (Goalkeeper): 10/10
Absolutely spectacular sums up Edouard Mendy’s performance in goal Wednesday night. He had several shots come his way ranging in difficulty and handled them with ease. It’s safe to say that he is the best goalkeeper in this competition. With another clean sheet and great performance, there is no reason that award shouldn’t be his come the end of the year.
Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 10/10
Andreas Christensen was amazing. He made the dirty tackles when needed to and as always worked well with the his partners in defense. With the captain playing RWB and venturing more forward, Christensen really filled that gap well and didn’t let anything through.
Thiago Silva (Centerback): 10/10
Thiago Silva’s experience has been invaluable to this young side who, last season, didn’t have many leaders on the pitch. His performances this season have been John Terry-esque and for that reason, we find ourselves in a Champions League final. It’s Silva’s second one in as many years, so you can’t help but be delighted for the Brazilian. In the middle of back three, he has been fantastic and no matter his age, he continues to put maximum effort for 90 minutes. It’s large in part because of him that we’ll end our season in Istanbul.
Antonio Rudiger (Centerback): 10/10
Antonio Rudiger was a masked menace tonight. His work rate is always out of this world, but against Real Madrid, he has been on a different level. The German was everywhere on the pitch, literally. He had one shot on goal from distance that troubled Courtois and another chance if the ball reached him to have another shot on target. At one point this season, he looked seemingly on the way out of the club, but gladly that wasn’t the case because he has been immense.