Genuine Madrid took over Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea’s fans neglected to rise up to hail Karim Benzema. The London setting doesn’t have the height of Old Trafford or Anfield, who might have given the Real Madrid striker the farewell he merited.
The Frenchman put on another Champions League show, scoring a full go-around to set Real Madrid en route to a spot in the semi-finals. Absence of away objectives implies it’s still all to play for, yet Real Madrid are in a decent position.
Genuine Madrid got along admirably, as a result of Benzema, yet additionally in light of Carlo Ancelotti, who played the players he needed to play. Or then again to be more exact, he played the one he needed to – Fede Valverde.
The Uruguayan should begin again in Madrid. In a group that needs legs, how could a person who breaks the lines and finishes the game squeezed not play?
The truth of the matter is that in six days, Real Madrid could be in the semi-finals. Once more, similar to last year, only one stage away from the last. That without large signings, and presently there are questions about Kylian Mbappe for next season.
Benzema, what more can be said?
Benzema is doing Cristiano Ronaldo‘s numbers this season… and the extraterrestrial Cristiano, we mean. Thirty-seven goals in 36 games this season, 11 of them in the Champions League.
At Stamford Bridge, he scored two stunning goals, both headers, and a third, taking advantage of another goalkeeper mistake. The first goal was not a normal header, but a spectacular header. If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or this year… Because of his numbers and because it is impossible to play better football than he is playing.
Carletto was right: Valverde had to play
Valverde‘s presence in the starting XI was a necessity that Ancelotti was aware of, and it worked a charm. Fede must always play in this Real Madrid team. It doesn’t matter where you put him, whether in the middle or on the wing, he always contributes.
The Uruguayan gave Real Madrid energy from the first to the last minute that he was on the pitch. Better with four midfielders, even if you have to put one on the wing, than with three.
Fede responded to the opportunity with a great game, which is what he has been doing since the beginning of the year. He is at his best and Ancelotti must make the most of him.
Havertz… It’s normal that Real Madrid tried to sign him
Kai Havertz scored a goal and created infinite problems for Madrid’s defenders. He is a fine player that Madrid had on their radar. They asked him to wait when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, but he ended up leaving for Chelsea, where he exploded in the middle of last season under Thomas Tuchel.
The German scored a great headed goal and is sure to be a talking point in the return leg. There are few left-footed talents like him in Europe.
Courtois, once again the saviour
Benzema up front and Thibaut Courtois at the back. And with these two, Real Madrid can go a long way this season. The Belgian goalkeeper is an almost impassable wall. He denied Havertz with an incredible stop, and he made the save of the night on Cesar Azpilicueta. The defender launched a missile into the top corner and Courtois appeared to send the ball out for a corner with a sensational save. There is no debate – he is the best in the world.
England’s respect for their opponents
We have to learn from the Premier League about how they treat rival fans. Cheaper tickets and a proper stadium location, not the worst possible one, with screens, nets and whatever else in between and separating them from the pitch.
The Real Madrid fans who travelled to Stamford Bridge were able to enjoy the game in one of the stands and close to the pitch, celebrating almost hand in hand with the players as their team scored goals. In Spain we always send the rival fans to the worst possible place. There is a lot to learn.
Carvajal is back
- Champions League. Brilliant Benzema has Real Madrid thinking about the semi-finals
- Champions League. Real Madrid player ratings vs Chelsea
Real Madrid took over Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea‘s fans failed to stand up to applaud Karim Benzema. The London venue doesn’t have the stature of Old Trafford or Anfield, who would have given the Real Madrid striker the send-off he deserved.
The Frenchman put on another Champions League display, scoring a hat-trick to set Real Madrid on their way to a place in the semi-finals. Lack of away goals means it’s still all to play for, but Real Madrid are in a good position.
Real Madrid did well, not only because of Benzema, but also because of Carlo Ancelotti, who played the players he had to play. Or to be more precise, he played the one he had to – Fede Valverde.
The Uruguayan must start again in Madrid. In a team that lacks legs, how can a guy who breaks the lines and ends the game cramped not play?
The fact is that in six days, Real Madrid could be in the semi-finals. Again, like last year, just one step away from the final. That without big signings, and now there are doubts about Kylian Mbappe for next season.
Benzema, what more can be said?
Benzema is doing Cristiano Ronaldo‘s numbers this season… and the extraterrestrial Cristiano, we mean. Thirty-seven goals in 36 games this season, 11 of them in the Champions League.
At Stamford Bridge, he scored two stunning goals, both headers, and a third, taking advantage of another goalkeeper mistake. The first goal was not a normal header, but a spectacular header. If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or this year… Because of his numbers and because it is impossible to play better football than he is playing.
Carletto was right: Valverde had to play
Valverde‘s presence in the starting XI was a necessity that Ancelotti was aware of, and it worked a charm. Fede must always play in this Real Madrid team. It doesn’t matter where you put him, whether in the middle or on the wing, he always contributes.
The Uruguayan gave Real Madrid energy from the first to the last minute that he was on the pitch. Better with four midfielders, even if you have to put one on the wing, than with three.
Fede responded to the opportunity with a great game, which is what he has been doing since the beginning of the year. He is at his best and Ancelotti must make the most of him.
Havertz… It’s normal that Real Madrid tried to sign him
Kai Havertz scored a goal and created infinite problems for Madrid’s defenders. He is a fine player that Madrid had on their radar. They asked him to wait when he was at Bayer Leverkusen, but he ended up leaving for Chelsea, where he exploded in the middle of last season under Thomas Tuchel.
The German scored a great headed goal and is sure to be a talking point in the return leg. There are few left-footed talents like him in Europe.
Courtois, once again the saviour
Benzema up front and Thibaut Courtois at the back. And with these two, Real Madrid can go a long way this season. The Belgian goalkeeper is an almost impassable wall. He denied Havertz with an incredible stop, and he made the save of the night on Cesar Azpilicueta. The defender launched a missile into the top corner and Courtois appeared to send the ball out for a corner with a sensational save. There is no debate – he is the best in the world.
England’s respect for their opponents
We have to learn from the Premier League about how they treat rival fans. Cheaper tickets and a proper stadium location, not the worst possible one, with screens, nets and whatever else in between and separating them from the pitch.
The Real Madrid fans who travelled to Stamford Bridge were able to enjoy the game in one of the stands and close to the pitch, celebrating almost hand in hand with the players as their team scored goals. In Spain we always send the rival fans to the worst possible place. There is a lot to learn.
Carvajal is back
Dani Carvajal had a great game at Stamford Bridge, perhaps his best of the season. Carvajal defended well and was incisive in attack, almost scoring a goal in the first half.
His defensive work was made easier by Valverde’s help, but he performed nonetheless. This Carvajal is the one Real Madrid need… as do Spain.