Crónica Benzema, a beacon under Chelsea's football storm
Real Madrid Marcelo, elected to a polling station, could not travel to London to play against Chelsea
Real Madrid Marcelo's worst night: "We are all here to help"
Analysis Casemiro's leap to the limit and Tuchel's frustration: "We were a little tired"
The
Real Madrid
made against
Chelsea
a new exercise in survival for out alive from the blue storm that hit the
Di Stéfano
. Like the whole year,
Zidane
, besieged by casualties, once again pulled the notebook to place all his available pieces. He tested with
Marcelo
, who was shipwrecked, kept
Kroos
, physically squeezed, and gave
Carvajal
minutes
, back after injury. At
Stamford Bridge
, Madrid will face the gale again to try to play its fifth final in eight seasons. A major milestone that has astonished the noble area of the
Bernabéu
, aware of the difficulties of this season.
Despite everything, the club has pieces and reasons to believe.
Karim Benzema: 22 goals more than the rest
Karim is awesome.
It doesn't surprise me anymore
.
Zidane, who in the 90th minute whispered some kind word to
Benzema
in his ear, knows that he has a large part of the hopes of being able to get through the tie in the French striker.
"We will go to London to score goals," added the coach at a press conference.
And 'goal' in Madrid language means Benzema.
He has 28 in the 40 games
he has played this season,
21 in the League
(11 in his last 10 games of the championship),
6 in the Champions League
and one in the Super Cup.
22 so many more
than Vinicius, Asensio and Casemiro, the club's second scorers with six.
Thibaut Courtois: 9 received in 18 games
Madrid have been
18 games without losing
since Levante's 1-2 in January.
A streak in which he has only conceded
9 goals
, has left the
goal unbeaten in 9 games
and has not conceded more than one goal in any match.
All vital aspects in London, where the net to zero would considerably increase the chances of going to the final.
And, as a Madrid hero, also on Tuesday night,
Thibaut Courtois
.
The foot that he took before Werner's shot was one more of the miracles he has starred in this season.
Eder Militao: the appearance of the year
This season, Real Madrid expected the return of
Hazard
, the step forward of
Vinicius and Asensio
, the consistency of Benzema and Courtois and the experience of
Modric or Ramos
, but what they did not have is the last month of
Eder Militao
. The defender has gone from being the fourth center of the squad to appear as
MVP of the match
, Courtois through, against Chelsea. He cut (7 successful innings, the most in the game), led, passed lines, showed a confidence never seen before in him and even assisted Benzema in the 1-1. «
Nothing has changed
.
The minutes give confidence », says his environment.
Zidane gave him the title against Eibar, on April 3, and has added eight consecutive presences in the eleven and only three goals against.
A fixed right now.
Zinedine Zidane: Nobody can with him
A
Zidane
not like to
talk to
him about himself despite the insistence of the environment and the media, but their season is commendable.
With a low squad he has managed to reach May with options in the
League and Champions League and
has not lost to top-level coaches:
Koeman, Simeone, Lopetegui, Conte, Klopp, Gasperini, Tuchel
... Nobody has beaten him, and not lose in London it is half final.
In the first half against
Chelsea he
suffered, but after the break he ended up hitting the key not to suffer.
Through his notebook, and that of
Bettoni
, pass Madrid's options.
Eden Hazard: Play, Play and Play
This is not the best time to get into a competitive rhythm, but
Hazard has
no other option. For him, for Madrid and for the fans, resigned to the comings and goings due to their injuries. The Belgian owes a lot to Real Madrid and to a board that left
100 million
on him and it seems that he is finally back in rotation. Zidane has had patience for him to return when he was better physically and mentally and has already been two games in a row.
15 minutes against Betis
and 24 against
Chelsea
. On Saturday against
Osasuna he
could make the leap to the start with a view to Stamford Bridge, which was his home for years. "
I just want to
play
and play several good games, "he said on Tuesday.
That is what the club wants, and needs.
Fede Valverde: The ideal complement
Casemiro, Kroos and Modric
suffered against Chelsea's midfield physique.
Especially in the first half, the trio was late for most actions and was beaten, missing the
physical, travel and the effort
of
Valverde
, key in this type of game.
The Uruguayan, at the expense of testing negative again in the Covid-19 test, will be in London for the second leg.
Having seen what is seen, it will be the headline.
Mendy's 'Miracle': A Necessary Physique
Ferland Mendy
injured the
soleus
in his left leg 12 days ago and at the club they have serious doubts that he will be able to reach the meeting next Wednesday: "It would be a miracle."
Despite everything, they trust the
Frenchman's
privileged physique
, who had not gone through the infirmary until now.
His presence would be capital by strength and speed.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
Thibaut Courtois
Ferland mendy
Antonio Conte
Eden Hazard
Luka modric
Casemiro
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane
Champions League
Champions League 2020 - 2021 Fede Valverde will travel to Liverpool, Zidane calls Marvin Park and Hazard is still out
Champions League 2020 - 2021Zidane: "It is absurd to think that Madrid will not be in the next Champions League"
ChampionsThe keys to Zidane's tactical review of Klopp
See links of interest
2021 business calendar
Home THE WORLD TODAY
Athletic Club - Real Valladolid
Zenit Saint Petersburg - Barça
PSG - Manchester City, live