Real Madrid were dominant at home and individual mistakes cost Chelsea in a disappointing 2-0 loss to Los Blancos on Wednesday. Real Madrid's press was excellent. Their first goal came from Chelsea losing the ball in their own half and Dani Carvajal finding none other than Vinicus Jr in the box. While the Brazillian didn't score the goal due to good reflexes from Kepa Arrizabalaga, Karim Benzema was in the box to make sure that the rebound from the initial shot wouldn't go to waste and the ball would end up in the back of the net.
Being a fox in the box is what Benzema does and despite a good plan from the Blues they were unable to stop him. Frank Lampard's plan did cause some issues for Real Madrid as Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix got shots on target but after Ben Chilwell was sent off for a challenge on Vini Jr., Chelsea didn't have an attacking threat left. Marco Asencio would nab the insurance goal and a 2-0 advantage may be too much for Chelsea to overturn in the return leg.
Lampard had a tall task in setting Chelsea up for this match, and they didn't score a goal in their last three matches coming in. Going into the half only down 1-0, Chelsea did well despite not having possession and they had a chance to advance with better finishing. While that has been the story of Chelsea's season, it's not on Lampard as he was put in this position with little room for error.
CBS Sports has a new soccer podcast, covering everything you need to know about the beautiful game. Make sure to give House of Champions a follow for coverage of the biggest games, stories, transfer news with Fabrizio Romano, and everything else going on in the world's most popular sport.
Things took a turn for the worst when Chilwell was dismissed but even late in the match, Mason Mount was able to come close to scoring a goal. For what Chelsea have been so far this season, just competing with Real Madrid is a win when they could've been wiped off the pitch on another day.
It says a lot about how far Chelsea have fallen this season that a narrow loss to a world power doesn't sting and they're not far removed from brushing shoulders and even defeating Real Madrid but that's how quickly time moves in soccer. Todd Boehly has a tall task ahead in figuring out how to make this team click and Lampard will play a role as he is the bridge to their new manager, whoever that may be.
From a Real Madrid perspective, while they won the match, Carlo Ancelotti may have wanted a more emphatic result. The team did waste chances and could've gone ahead 4-0 or more. Margins are thin in Champions League and just having the chance to advance is certainly something to celebrate but just advancing is the expectation for Los Blancos.
They picked their spot and never got out of first gear which is why Real Madrid are so feared in this competition. A team that have been there and won everything, they understand what is required in each match of a knockout competition and deliver more often than not. No more, and no less. Facing Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey, Real Madrid knew they had to score enough to put Barcelona into submission and that's just what they did.
Flipping things to facing Chelsea, after going ahead, all that had to be done was limit Chelsea's chances since the forwards won't beat you if they're given the ball. Not only did Real Madrid do that but they were able to get one of Chelsea's most creative players in Chilwell suspended in the process. With one foot into the final four of Champions League, matches like this show why Real Madrid have won five of the last 10 Champions League titles -- it's in their DNA.
It wasn't a bad showing for Chelsea considering that they ended with 10 and Real Madrid dominated the match from start to finish. Ben Chilwell was rash in his challenge that saw him dismissed in the 59th minute but the Blues were still able to hang on until the 74th minute Real Madrid did a good job making sure that there was never a doubt about who would win the match but Chelsea did compete.
It was an excellent block from his former teammate Antonio Rudiger in the box but Chelsea almost found an all important goal. With two minutes remaining can they find a way?
Marc Cucurella was into space but will have to settle for a free kick after a timely foul from Los Blancos.
Chelsea were in the match but this may be too much. That ball from Marco Asensio had eyes on the way into the net.
Everything isn't leading to a shot but Reece James has been excellent at getting forward while maintaining his defensive responsibilities but it still may not be enough.
Kai Havetz has entered for Raheem Sterling while Trevoh Chalobah has entered for Joao Felix. It will be a bit of a defensive reinforcement in Chalobah but Chelsea will still need a goal.
Ben Chilwell has been sent off for a pull on Vini Jr after being the last man. This could be it for the Blues in the match.
Despite the spells for Chelsea, if Real Madrid are allowed to keep this pressure up, they will grab another goal before the half. For Chelsea, the goal is simple, get to half where things stand.
Real Madrid may be leading but Chelsea are putting up a fight even with Madrid holding the advantage in possession. While Chelsea may be behind, their gameplan is working as with a little more luck, Raheem Sterling would have scored a goal.
It took a good save but that first Real Madrid game has opened things up and this match is heating up.
None other than Vini Jr finding Benzema and it's in the net. Chelsea turned the ball over to Madrid's press, Carvajal found Vini Jr and the next thing you know, Kepa is beaten. It was a good stop on the initial effort and again Benzema knows where he needs to be.
Real Madrid are starting to get into the box with ease but Chelsea's defense is still holding strong. It will be a long night for the Blues if they can't find some balance in possession.
The Blues will be happy with the start. Despite there being heavy possession in favor of Real Madrid, the Blues haven't allowed many strong chances. As long as this continues, Chelsea may have a plan to try and advance.
Time to see if Chelsea can break out of their slump.
Kai Havertz has dropped to the bench while Real Madrid will lineup as expected.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Camavinga; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Chelsea: Kepa; Fofana, Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic, Chilwell; Felix, Sterling
Todd Boehly is confident that Chelsea can stop Real Madrid but they'll have a tough challenge in slowing Los Blancos. Behind Karim Benzema, the team can score at will and while Chelsea's defense has been strong, their lack of an attack can provide the club with issues. Follow along as we'll have updates from their clash.
