Chelsea vs Real Madrid: Chelsea hosted Real Madrid at the Stamford Bridge in the 1st Leg of the quarter finals of the Champions League.
First half was action filled as Karim Benzema scored twice in between 3 minutes before Kai Havertz pulled one back for Chelsea before half time. The Frenchman completed his hat-trick in the first minute of the second half giving Madrid a healthy 2-goal lead going into the second leg.
Let’s take a look at the player ratings for the match: –
Chelsea vs Real Madrid Player Ratings
Chelsea
Edouard Mendy (4/10): Mendy had one of his worse games as he let in 3 goals. He made an error that led to a goal for Madrid.
Reece James (7.3/10): James did not cover the right flank defensively but he went forward with intent and had a couple of shots on target.
Andreas Christensen (6/10): Christensen was okay in the defence till half time, when he was subbed off for Ziyech as Tuchel changed the formation.
Thiago Silva (6.5/10): Though he was the most accurate passer in the game, Silva had a bad game in defence.
Antonio Rudiger (4.6/10): Rudiger looked compulsive and not sure of his game plan. He made an error that led to a Real Madrid goal.
Cesar Azpilicueta (6.7/10): Azpilicueta played in left back and not in his usual right wing back position. He did a decent job in his new position.
N’Golo Kante (6.2/10): Kante had a mediocre game in the middle of the park. He was not sharp with his tackles and passing.
Jorginho (7.7/10): Jorginho created a few chances including a brilliant assist to Kai Haavertz in the first half.
Christian Pulisic (6.3/10): Pulisic had a decent game on the wing, but he did not have much of the ball to make a mark.
Mason Mount (6.5/10): Mount tried to influence the game and was looking to create chances but he did not get enough support.
Kai Havertz (7.8/10): Havertz scored a late first half header to bring Chelsea back in the game. He took half a dozen shots out of which only 2 were on target.
Substitutes:
Mateo Kovacic (6.4/10): Kovacic did his job decently after being brought in for N’Golo Kante in half time.
Hakim Ziyech (6/10): Ziyech was not impactful on the wing as he came on for Christensen as an attacking option.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (NA)
Romelu Lukaku (NA)
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois (7.5/10): Courtois made 4 crucial saves keeping Real Madrid in the game throughout.
Dani Carvajal (7.2/10): Carvajal made important tackles and interceptions on the flank to prevent Chelsea’s wide men.
Eder Militao (6.6/10): Militao made a few crucial tackles and headed clearances in the box. He was booked before he got injured and was replaced.
David Alaba (7.4/10): Alaba was defensively good taking up important positions and had a 100% accuracy in his tackles.
Ferland Mendy (7.6/10): Mendy proved a threat on the left flank. He completed 3 dribbles, which was the most in the match.
Luka Modric (7.6/10): Modric was amazing in the middle. He provided a beautiful cross to Benzema for his second goal.
Casemiro (7.7/10): Casemiro was vital in Madrid’s midfield as he pressed hard and made 3 tackles- most in the match.
Toni Kroos (7/10): The German midfielder orchestrated the midfield well and did his defensive duties decently. He was replaced by Eduardo Camavinga in the second half.
Federico Valverde (6.8/10): Valverde was good going forward with the attacks but lost 7 duels in defence.
Karim Benzema (9.8/10): Benzema did not put a foot wrong as he scored a brilliant hat-trick. He scored 2 headers in the first half followed by an early strike in the second half to give Madrid a healthy lead.
Vinicius Junior (7.9/10): Junior missed an early chance as he hit the crossbar, but he made up with an assist to open Madrid’s scoring.
Substitutes:
Nacho Fernandez (6.1/10): Fernandez played pretty well after he replaced injured Militao.
Eduardo Camavinga (6.2/10): Camavinga was dominant in the midfield coming on for Toni Kroos.
Daniel Ceballos (NA)
Gareth Bale(NA)