Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has some important selection decisions to take for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid.
The Blues, 3-1 down from the first leg, face an uphill task in the Spanish capital, where they will need to pull off a brilliant comeback if they are to avoid elimination from the tournament Tuchel led them to glory in last season.
One of Tuchel’s priorities will definitely be to nullify the threat of Vinícius Jr, who caused major problems on the left flank in the first leg- so much so that Andreas Christensen was taken off at the interval after being given a torrid time by the Brazilian in the first half.
Tuchel could therefore switch to a back four. However, instead of that he might well opt for a back three again, with the ever-solid Cesar Azpilicueta as the right-sided centre-back, supported by Reece James at right wing-back. Skipper Azpilicueta is back in the squad after Covid.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante also struggled in the first leg, so Mateo Kovacic looks likely to partner Jorginho. And on the left, Marcos Alonso had an excellent game at Southampton and looks likely to be called upon again.
The attacking trio of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Mason Mount worked superbly in the 6-0 hammering of the Saints and are set to be deployed again in a game Chelsea need to score at least twice in.
Expected Chelsea line-up: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Werner.