Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel has continued his fun run of form against Real Madrid after taking his team to the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium and holding the Spanish giants to a one-all draw. Tuchel is now unbeaten in five meetings against Real Madrid.
In what was expected to be a very tight encounter, both teams play cautiously. Chelsea under Tuchel have been solid at the back, conceding just nine goals in 18 games and Real Madrid, not a team that prides itself in scoring too many goals.
It was Chelsea who started the brighter side and within the first nine minutes already tested the Madrid goal. Thibaut Courtois denying Timo. Werner with his leg from six yards out, a ball Werner should have put away.
Chelsea's early pressure finally paid off as they deservedly opened the scoring in the 14th minute. A beautifully lofted ball from Antonio Rudiger was well brought down by Christian Pulisic in the Madrid box. Zinedine Zidane will be very furious with his defence as they allowed the American all the space he needed to round the goalkeeper, in a box that had a handful of Madrid shirts. The American fired home from close range between two Madrid defenders.
It looked like the goal was what Madrid needed as motivation as they began to find their footing afterwards. They almost responded swiftly with Karim Benzema, whose shot from 25 yards out went out off the post.
The Frenchman would, however, not be denied the second time of asking as Chelsea failed to clear their lines from a corner kick, which was headed in first by Raphael Varane and then filled on by Eder Militao unto the path of Benzema. The former Lyon maestro controlled the ball with his head and powered a half volley down the middle of the net to put his team back in the game.
They went into the break level.
It was end to end stuff after the two goals and the second half was no difference. Both teams, nonetheless, struggled to create clear cut chances with most of their efforts going wide.
The only real effort on goal came in on the 79th minute from substitute, Hakim Ziyech's free-kick which he neatly lifted over the wall but Courtois was not going to be beaten as he comfortably gathered.
Vinicus Jr who was very instrumental in their semifinal triumph against Liverpool did not have the best of night's as he struggled to create chances from the flank. He was eventually replaced by Eden Hazard in the 66th minutes. The former Chelsie star could do little to impact the game as both teams settled for a draw.
Concluding Thoughts
Chelsea have put themselves in a very good position with the away goal and their fine displays throughout the knockout stages, apparently since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel.
Real Madrid know they have it all to do when they travel for the second leg next week at Stamford Bridge.
It's a game that's still very open and although Chelsea have the away goal, it's still anyone's game to win. This sets for a promising second leg.
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