

The Champions League has reached the semi-final stage and Thomas Tuchel leads his side against Zinedine Zidane, hoping Chelsea can overcome Real Madrid in much the same way as they did against Manchester City recently in a domestic cup.
Man City were the favourites there, but Chelsea showed great defensive resilience and a predatory counter-attacking ability; much the same might be required to go through over two legs against the Spanish giants.
Real, of course, have the weight of historical success and expectation behind them - but they haven’t been at their very best this term, even if they do seem to save their top performances for the biggest occasions.
Eden Hazard’s timely return from injury could see him face his former side, while the Blues will be hoping the return to prominence of Timo Werner will instead give them the edge in attack.
Real could yet win the title in LaLiga, though it’s more likely neither team ends the season as domestic champions; as such, it’s all-or-nothing for European glory and there’s no margin for error in the final four.
PSG or Man City will await in the final, but first it’s set to be two titanic tussles with both Real and Chelsea sure to be optimistic about their chances of reaching Istanbul.
READ MORE:
- ‘He’s in his own world’: Florentino Perez gripped by delusion amid Super League fiasco
- The Champions League and a richness a Super League could never achieve
- Rejuvenated Timo Werner ready for shot at Champions League redemption with Chelsea
- Chelsea must play with pace to beat Real Madrid in Champions League semi-final, Rafa Benitez says
- Thomas Tuchel criticises new Champions League format ahead of Real Madrid semi-final