Talking points as Chelsea thrash Real Madrid 2-0 to reach finals
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Chelsea have stunned the whole football world by defeating Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The game was evenly poised at 1-1 before the line-ups were out at Stamford Bridge. Pundits tipped Real Madrid to defeat Chelsea on Wednesday because of their prior experience in the knockout stages. However, Thomas Tuchel made a point that he is not going to let the away goal advantage slip away at Bridge.
Chelsea registered a comfortable 2-0 victory to set up an second all English Champions League finals in the span of two years. Previously in 2018/19, Tottenham Hotspur faced Liverpool and Liverpool won their sixth Champions League. Manchester City will lock their horns on 29th May at Istanbul in a bid to get their hands on the first ever Champions League trophy. Here are the three talking points from the game.
Talking Point #1: Eden Hazard is not what he was at Bridge
Eden Hazard left Chelsea for Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth €115 million to win the Champions League after the player secured Europa League title in 2017/18 season. However, since his move to Spanish capital, the player has failed to perform at top level. The player’s Real Madrid tenure is marred with injuries and his weight has caused troubles for the player.
On the other hand, yesterday’s game was tailor suited for Eden Hazard to rejuvenate his Real Madrid career. However, the player failed to impress Zidane. Though he started the game brilliantly by drawing fouls in Chelsea’ half, his former teammates made virtual spectator for the rest of the game. Zidane substituted later on against Chelsea in a hope to turn the tides.
Talking Point #2: Did Thomas Tuchel save Chelsea’s 2020/21 campaign?
Chelsea were struggling to keep their form going in English Premier League after reaching the pinnacle under Lampard in early November. The team was tipped to succeed but slowly the downfall started for Blues. The club lost its footing on the points table and slowly slipped away. However, Roman Abramovich fired Lampard and signed Thomas Tuchel who had lost his job few days prior to Christmas.
Since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, Chelsea have not only returned to top-four race but they have reached FA Cup finals and Champions League finals. Though nothing is finalized, it is safe to say that the former PSG manager has done enough to keep Chelsea in Europe as well as his job at Stamford Bridge.
Talking Point #3: Mason Mount back in the mix for Euros
Multiple players are vying for the chance creator role in England international side and Mason Mount has thrown the hat to the ring. The player not only created the chances on Wednesday against Real Madrid but he also kept the likes of Luca Modric, Toni Kroos at the bay.
Against Real Madrid, the player created two key chances and he also had three shots on the goal. He became the second English player for Chelsea after Frank Lampard to score in the Champions League semifinals. With Jack Grealish injured, the player will fight with Phil Foden for that creative role in the international side.
Also Read: Robert Lewandowski considering Premier League move after wage disputes with Bayern
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Varun Aithal
(480 Articles Published)