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On May 5th, 2021, two football giants collided in the UEFA Champions League semi-final 2nd leg match: Real Madrid and Chelsea. The game was held at Stamford Bridge, the home stadium of Chelsea. In this article, we will go over the details of the match and analyze what went down during the 90 minutes of play.
19 April 2023
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Chelsea started the game with an aggressive approach, as they were looking to take an early lead. They created numerous chances and put pressure on Real Madrid’s defense. However, the first half remained goalless, as Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made some crucial saves to keep the score at 0-0.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, struggled to create clear-cut chances. Their midfielders struggled to keep possession and were dispossessed several times. This led to Chelsea having more control over the game in the first half.
The second half started with both teams looking to take control of the game. Chelsea continued their aggressive approach, and it finally paid off in the 55th minute when midfielder N’Golo Kante scored a crucial goal to put Chelsea ahead.
Real Madrid immediately responded by making a substitution, bringing on winger Marco Asensio for defender Ferland Mendy. Asensio had an immediate impact, as he provided a much-needed attacking threat for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid started to push forward more aggressively, and their efforts paid off in the 75th minute when midfielder Luka Modric scored a stunning goal to level the score. Modric’s goal came after a fantastic build-up play from Real Madrid’s attackers.
After Modric’s goal, Real Madrid looked more confident and started to dominate the game. They had several chances to take the lead, but Chelsea’s defense remained resolute. Chelsea also had a few counter-attacks, but they were unable to convert them into goals.
In the 85th minute, Real Madrid suffered a blow as defender Sergio Ramos was forced off the field due to an injury. This was a significant setback for Real Madrid, as Ramos is one of their most experienced defenders and a key player for the team.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, which meant that Chelsea qualified for the UEFA Champions League final with an aggregate score of 3-1. Chelsea’s defense was the key to their victory, as they managed to keep Real Madrid’s attackers at bay for most of the game.
Chelsea’s aggressive approach in the first half was crucial in putting Real Madrid on the back foot. They created numerous chances and could have easily taken the lead. Real Madrid’s defense struggled to cope with Chelsea’s attacking threat, and it was only thanks to Courtois’ heroics that the score remained at 0-0.
Real Madrid’s midfielders, particularly Toni Kroos and Casemiro, were unable to impose themselves on the game. They were constantly dispossessed and struggled to create clear-cut chances. This meant that Real Madrid’s attackers, such as Karim Benzema, were isolated for most of the game.
The introduction of Asensio in the second half was a masterstroke from Real Madrid’s manager, Zinedine Zidane. Asensio provided the attacking threat that Real Madrid was lacking, and his presence on the field forced Chelsea’s defense to be more cautious.
Modric’s goal was a thing of beauty and showed why he is one of the best midfielders in the world. His composure and skill on the ball were unmatched, and his goal gave Real Madrid the confidence they needed to push forward.
