Champions League: Real Madrid overpowers Chelsea and wins first leg

Marco Asensio (L) scored Real Madrid's second goal against Chelsea on Tuesday, April 12, 2023, in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. REUTERS - ALBERT GEA

Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow

2 min

Real Madrid, defending champions, beat Chelsea (2-0) without trembling on Wednesday, April 12 at home for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League. A good result, but not total protection for the return leg in London next Tuesday.

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Those who remembered last year's quarter-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea (3-1; 2-3) have reason to be (a little) disappointed with this first leg. Two goals in 90 minutes while last season's clash showed a total of nine goals in two games. But Champions League followers can also say that this score keeps the suspense intact, at least more than City-Bayern (3-0) or Benfica-Inter (0-2) on Tuesday. Because Real still had the means to give themselves more margin before the return match in a week.

Carlos Ancelotti's men were very little worried by a Chelsea team, certainly solid at the back, but uninspired in attack, and desperately destitute against Real's defensive organization.

Unmissable Benzema

The reigning European champion was in control of the game for most of the game, only flinching on an action that saw Raheem Sterling solicit Thibault Courtois. The latter had to work to get a ball out near his post. Two minutes earlier, Karim Benzema had opened the scoring, taking advantage of a poorly pushed ball from Kepa Arrizabalaga after an attempt by Vinicius (21st).

Sovereign in the game, Madrid took the lead after Ben Chilwell was sent off on the hour mark (59th). The Blues left-back was sent back to the dressing room after hooking Rodrygo, in the position of last defender, at the entrance of the penalty area. A quarter of an hour later, Marco Asensio, who had entered three minutes earlier, doubled the lead from a corner kick through the feet of Toni Kroos and Vinicius.

Madrid will travel to London in a week's time with a good lead, but the memory of last year will prompt them to be very cautious when stepping onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge for a return match that Chelsea fans hope will be as explosive as last year's.

Results and quarter-finals first leg:

Benfica (POR) - Inter Milan (ITA) 0-2

Manchester City (ENG) - Bayern Munich (GER) 3-0

Real Madrid (ESP) - Chelsea (ENG) 2-0

AC Milan (ITA) - Napoli (ITA) 1-0

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  • Football
  • UEFA Champions League
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