Chelsea are just ninety minutes away from reaching their third Champions League final. Overcome Real Madrid tomorrow evening and Thomas Tuchel and his players will head to Istanbul for the final at the end of this month. It really is that simple.
The
Blues recorded a much-deserved 1-1 draw in the first leg against Zinedine
Zidane’s side last week. Christian Pulisic grabbed a vital away goal
for Chelsea, who could already be out of sight
were it not for some poor finishing in the Spanish capital.
Real
Madrid can’t and won’t be underestimated. Their recent success in the
competition ensures that.
Yet
there is little doubt that Chelsea are more than capable of defeating La
Liga giants despite their Champions League experience
and know-how.
Tuchel
has given the Blues every chance. He opted to rest several key players for the
win at Fulham on Saturday, although that did give a fair indication of who will
start tomorrow’s game at Stamford Bridge.
Given
the sheer number of matches Chelsea have had to play since the 47-year-old was
appointed at the end of January, there are very few undroppable within the
Blues squad. But there are several big-game untouchables.
These
are the players that are handed starts in the high-profile games, the fixtures
that mean the most for Tuchel and Chelsea. A Champions League semi-final second
leg against Real Madrid is definitely one of those.
So here
are the six players almost certain to be included in the starting XI for
tomorrow’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
Edouard Mendy
The
Senegal international has been given short breaks from the side by Tuchel over
the past three months but there is no doubt he will be in the starting XI
tomorrow night.
Mendy
–who was signed from Rennes last summer after a recommendation from Blues
legend Petr Cech – has started all but one of Chelsea’s Champions
League games this term but has only conceded three goals.
“It is
a semi-final and we have won nothing,” he told Chelsea’s club
website ahead of the game. “We need to be ready for this battle.”
Cesar Azpilicueta
Chelsea’s
club captain played at right wing-back in the first leg in the Spanish capital
and, while there were moments his lack of pace was exposed, was a solid
defensive presence on the right flank against Vinicius Junior.
At 31
years old and with more than 650 senior appearances under his belt,
Azpilicueta’s experience is likely to prove vital when the two sides meet at
Stamford Bridge.
That’s
why he was rested for the weekend win over Fulham. The Spaniard was an unused
substitute but will return to the starting XI tomorrow.
The
only point of debate is whether he is again used at wing-back or deployed on
the right of the back three.
Thiago Silva
The
Brazilian centre-back was signed by Chelsea last summer for many reasons,
including his quality, leadership and experience. All will be needed against
Real Madrid
That’s
why it was somewhat of a surprise to see the 36-year-old included in the starting
XI against Fulham on Saturday, although the injury to Antonio Rudiger and need
to rest Azpilicueta perhaps forced Tuchel’s hand.
Silva’s
assuredness in the first leg was noteworthy; he is comfortable on the biggest
stage. And the Brazil international will hope to secure his spot in a second
consecutive Champions League final tomorrow evening.
Antonio Rudiger
The
combative German defender has been a mainstay of the side under Tuchel – he is
the go-to option on the left of the back three when fit.
Rudiger
missed the victory over Fulham, however, due to a facial injury suffered
against Real in the first leg. Yet Tuchel was quick to reassure supporters that
the problem wasn’t serious.
“For
Toni, I think he will play with a mask,” the German said. “He trained on
Saturday with a mask so it’s just about him getting used to it.”
N’Golo Kante
When on
the pitch the French midfielder is indefatigable. Yet Kante’s history of
hamstring injuries means his workload has to carefully be managed by Tuchel.
The
30-year-old was Chelsea’s standout performer in Madrid last week; he produced a
customary all-action display and was deservedly received the man-of-the-match
award from UEFA.
Kante
started the game against Fulham on the substitutes bench but was introduced
with 25 minutes to play to help the Blues see out the game. It was a light
workout for the World Cup winner in truth. He will be fresh and ready for Real.
Jorginho
It was
after the first leg that Tuchel admitted the Italian midfielder was struggling
due to fatigue. “You can see that Jorginho is very, very tired and a bit
overloaded,” the German told Chelsea TV. “You feel this in the decision-making,
in some easy ball losses.
Chelsea’s
head coach attempted to rectify that ahead of the second leg. With Kovacic
still a doubt, Tuchel opted to rest Jorginho on Saturday.
The
29-year-old was in the match-day squad against the Cottagers but wasn’t called
upon. With more than a week to recover, Jorginho should be sharper at Stamford
Bridge tomorrow.
N’Golo Kante
When on
the pitch the French midfielder is indefatigable. Yet Kante’s history of
hamstring injuries means his workload has to carefully be managed by Tuchel.
The
30-year-old was Chelsea’s standout performer in Madrid last week; he produced a
customary all-action display and was deservedly received the man-of-the-match
award from UEFA.
Kante
started the game against Fulham on the substitutes bench but was introduced
with 25 minutes to play to help the Blues see out the game. It was a light
workout for the World Cup winner in truth. He will be fresh and ready for Real.
Jorginho
It was
after the first leg that Tuchel admitted the Italian midfielder was struggling
due to fatigue. “You can see that Jorginho is very, very tired and a bit
overloaded,” the German told Chelsea TV. “You feel this in the decision-making,
in some easy ball losses.
Chelsea’s
head coach attempted to rectify that ahead of the second leg. With Kovacic
still a doubt, Tuchel opted to rest Jorginho on Saturday.
The
29-year-old was in the match-day squad against the Cottagers but wasn’t called
upon. With more than a week to recover, Jorginho should be sharper at Stamford
Bridge tomorrow.
Mason Mount
The
22-year-old’s durability is incredible – since the start of the 2017/18
campaign, Mount has made more than 200 appearances for club and country. And
yet he continues to get better.
Mount,
just as he was under Lampard, is an integral part of Tuchel’s side. If he’s
fit, he plays. That’s why it was no surprise to see the academy graduate in the
starting XI against Fulham, a game in which he fashioned Chelsea’s opening
goal.
The
England international was replaced in the second half by Kante after injuring his
back following a nasty landing. But he should, as always, be ready to take on
Los Blancos tomorrow.
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