The draw was not kind to the defending champion, reserving him for Real, who beat Paris SG, which flies over La Liga.

The Blues eliminated Merengues in the semi-finals last year, with a good 1-1 draw at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano and a solid victory (2-0) in the return, both matches being played behind closed doors.

Chelsea's German striker Timo Werner opens the scoring against Real Madrid and his Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, in the Champions League semi-final second leg, on May 5, 2021 at Stamford Bridge Stadium Glyn KIRK AFP / Archives

Big difference this year: qualification will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu and the stadiums will be full.

Chelsea have seen the government ease restrictions imposed as part of the financial sanctions against its current owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich owner of Chelsea in his dressing room at Stamford Bridge, February 21, 2016 for the arrival of Manchester City GLYN KIRK AFP / Archives

In particular, Londoners were authorized to sell tickets for cup matches and the travel of its supporters outside.

Stamford Bridge will therefore not ring hollow during this busy month of April and a reaction from the Blues is expected after having poorly prepared their European deadline.

On Saturday, they cracked in ten minutes, after opening the scoring at the start of the second half, against promoted Brentford to take a severe 4-1 defeat which weakened their 3rd place in the Premier League.

Brentford's Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen scores against Chelsea's Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the 31st day of the Premier League, April 2, 2022 at Stamford Bridge Stadium Glyn KIRK AFP / Archives

Don't get distracted

They are only five points ahead of Tottenham (4th) and Arsenal (5th), while the latter have one game less and that, on April 20, they will come to challenge Chelsea.

And between the double confrontation with Real and the shock against Arsenal, the Blues will play a semi-final of the FA Cup against Crystal Palace, at Wembley.

It is therefore essential not to be distracted for Londoners who have so far been impeccable in their concentration on the pitch, despite so many uncertainties outside.

Saturday, they suffered from a heavy atmosphere after protests from supporters against one of the candidates for the takeover of the club, near the stadium, before the match.

The image of the Ricketts family, owners of the Cubs, one of Chicago's two baseball franchises, and who had already attempted an approach in 2018 to acquire Chelsea, has been tarnished by e-mails with Islamophobic smacks of the patriarch, Joe, 80 years old, even if he no longer has a role within the family company.

Her son, Tom, has repeatedly apologized, calling the offending posts dating back to 2019 "disgusting".

Chelsea supporters demonstrate against the Ricketts family, owners of the Chicago Cubs (baseball) and one of the club's takeover candidates, on April 2, 2022 near Stamford Bridge Stadium, before the match of the 31st day of the Premier League against Brentford Glyn KIRK AFP/Archives

But hundreds of Blues supporters demonstrated with "No to the Ricketts! No to racism!" signs.

Offer chosen on the 18th

Very bad news for the American consortium, which also includes billionaires Ken Griffin and Dan Gilbert, as the sale process enters its final phase.

Three other takeover candidates have been selected by the investment bank Raines, responsible for piloting the process.

The other suitors are the co-owner of the LA Dodgers (baseball), Todd Boehly, also already interested in Chelsea, in 2019.

The co-owner of the Boston Celtics (basketball), Stephen Pagliuca, and a more "British" offer led by Martin Broughton, former chairman of British Airways and Liverpool, associated with the former athlete and chairman of the Olympics organizing committee -2012 from London, Sebastian Coe, complete the quartet.

Final offers must be submitted by April 11 at the latest, and on the 18th Raines is expected to submit his favorite offer to the British government for decision.

But the support of the supporters to the new owners will undoubtedly be an important criterion.

Chelsea supporters wave a giant flag before the Premier League home game against Everton on January 16, 2016 at Stamford Bridge Stadium Justin TALLIS AFP/Archives

Thomas Tuchel nevertheless hopes that, on Wednesday, everyone will only think of the pitch and nothing else.

“I hope the fans remember that we have a team competing in three competitions, which is at a crucial moment in its season and that they should not be distracted around the stadium or during the game. already enough things to manage at the moment", he had railed after the rout against Brentford.

© 2022 AFP