Real Madrid face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening.
It’s the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final and there’s a lot at stake. Madrid knocked out Paris Saint-Germain in the last round while Chelsea beat another French side in Lille.
Chelsea are reigning European champions and knocked Madrid – the side to have won the European Cup more than anyone else – out of last season’s Champions League at the semi-final stage.
But they’re not quite the imperious side of last term.
Despite beginning the season with hopes of challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title they’re off the pace; 13 points behind Liverpool and 14 behind City.
Los Blancos aren’t in their best moment either but they’re still 12 points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
They have unrivalled European pedigree and several world-class match-winners in their team, also, and will be confident that they can beat anyone on their day. It’s set to be an intriguing match.
And Carlo Ancelotti will be in attendance.
The Italian tested positive for covid-19 last Wednesday and missed Madrid’s win at Celta Vigo on Saturday evening. He tested negative this morning, however, and will today fly out to London.
Ancelotti tests negative so will fly out to London. Getting a lift on Florentino's flight.
— Euan McTear (@emctear) April 6, 2022
