A big challenge for Chelsea and Ziyech against Real Madrid

The task will be heavy for Chelsea of ​​Hakim Ziyech against the giant of Real Madrid, this Tuesday, April 12, for the account of the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Defending champions Chelsea will be looking to come back after a 3-1 first-leg quarter-final loss to 13-time winners Real. The Premier League giants will have to give their all as they trail 3-1 after a masterclass from Karim Benzema at Stamford Bridge.

Madrid showed they were even better at home by managing to knock out Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 after losing the first leg.

At Chelsea, Ben Chillwell, Romelu Lukaku and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all unavailable due to injury concerns. Ross Barkley and Cesar Azpilicueta face late fitness tests after falling ill. A chance for Hakim Ziyech to shine and start in Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI.

For their part, Real Madrid are without Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Isco for this quarter-final due to injury, while Eder Militao is suspended. In this sense, Carlo Ancelotti should trust the same starting XI as in the first leg.

Chelsea have recovered well from back-to-back defeats to Brentford and Real by beating Southampton 6-0 on Saturday, but Thomas Tuchel still thinks a comeback is unlikely.

“We don’t need anything more than a fantastic script. The task and the challenge are incredibly difficult and who we play against and where we play. We have the right to dream, sometimes it is important to imagine things and to dream”, said the German technician.

“It will not change the direction, we will support our team and we will do our best. It’s sport, and it’s a game, and that’s the beauty of the game, that anything is always possible.”he added.