Chelsea – Real Madrid
2 min read
Chelsea will be hoping to overturn a first-leg deficit when they face Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight, and they will have Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah in their starting lineup. The duo both played in the team’s recent match against Brighton and will retain their places, with Chalobah set to play in a back three and Gallagher likely to be given a more attacking role.
The return of Kai Havertz, who trained at Cobham on Monday, is a major boost for the team. Havertz is currently the club’s top scorer this season with nine goals in all competitions, and he is expected to play a key role in Chelsea’s efforts to overturn the deficit. Manager Frank Lampard had previously expressed some concerns about Havertz’s fitness, but he has since confirmed that the German midfielder is ready to play.
Chelsea will also welcome back N’Golo Kante and Thiago Silva, who were rested for the match against Brighton. However, the team will be without Ben Chilwell, who is suspended after receiving a red card in the first leg. Marc Cucurella will start at left-wing back in his absence.
In midfield, Kante will be joined by Mateo Kovacic and Enzo Fernandez, with Havertz replacing Mykhailo Mudryk in the starting lineup. Chelsea will also be missing a number of players who are not registered for the Champions League, including Benoit Badiashile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, David Datro Fofana, and Noni Madueke.
The team will be looking to make a strong start and put Real Madrid under pressure from the outset. With the support of their home crowd, Chelsea will be hoping to produce a memorable comeback and secure a place in the final of the Champions League. Lampard will be relying on his experienced players to lead the team and inspire their younger teammates to deliver a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Overall, Chelsea’s lineup for tonight’s match reflects the team’s ambition to attack and score goals. With players like Gallagher and Havertz in the side, the team will be looking to create chances and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way. The team will need to be focused and disciplined in defense, but they will be confident that they can produce a performance that will see them through to the final.