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In the pouring rain of Madrid, Thomas Tuchel took a big step on the way to his second Champions League final within just under nine months.
The German coach came with Chelsea in the semi-final first leg of the premier class to a 1-1 (1-1) at record winners Real Madrid and thus created a good starting position for the second leg on May 5 at Stamford Bridge in London.
Last year, Tuchel led Paris Saint-Germain to the final, but lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
Former Dortmund's Christian Pulisic gave Chelsea an early lead (14th), but Real striker Karim Benzema equalized with his 71st goal in the Champions League (29th).
Since the triumph of Munich in 2012, Chelsea had not reached the final.
Timo Werner (r.) Missed a big chance in the initial phase
Source: dpa / Bernat Armangue
A task "that couldn't be more difficult", was how Tuchel described the duel with the 13-time royal class winner.
But on the lawn of the small Alfredo Di Stèfano stadium - Real is not playing at the Estadio Bernabeu during the corona pandemic - there was no sign of the unequal balance of power.
Rather, it was the Blues from London that got Real into great trouble, especially in the early stages.
The Tuchel team appeared fresher, faster and with more urge to goal.
Benzema draws level with Raul
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Timo Werner - the ex-Leipziger was in the starting line-up like national team colleague Antonio Rüdiger - had a great chance to take the lead.
But ex-Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois prevented the deficit with a strong foot defense (10th).
Four minutes later, however, the Belgian couldn't do anything when Pulisic rounded him and hit him.
This was preceded by an excellent pass from Rüdiger.
And in the following years, further attacks rolled towards Real-Tor.
Captain and defense chief Sergio Ramos, who tested positive for the corona virus two weeks ago, was sorely missed.
Karim Benzema (left) scores for Real Madrid to equalize
Source: dpa / Bernat Armangue
But Real still had Benzema.
If a shot from the goal guarantor hit the outside post in the 23rd minute, it happened six minutes later.
After a double pass with a header, the massive Frenchman skilfully prevailed and scored to equalize.
With his 71st goal, Benzema drew level with Real legend Raul in the all-time top scorer list.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (134), Lionel Messi (120) and Robert Lewandowski (73) are still in front of him.
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After the equalization, the game flattened out visibly.
Especially in the second half it sank to a surprisingly weak level for a semi-final of the Champions League.
For the Madrilenians, ex-world champion Toni Kroos was back in the starting line-up after recovering from a muscle injury. The midfielder tried to keep things in order, which was not easy against the well-organized Tuchel team. For Werner, however, it was over after 66 minutes, for him the ex-Leverkusen-based Kai Havertz came into play.