Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio struck for Real Madrid as they ruled 10-man Chelsea and unfolded a 2-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg lead on Wednesday.
The document 14-time winners and reigning champions eased to a relaxed win in opposition to Frank Lampard’s aspect, who had Ben Chilwell despatched off in the second one part for flattening Rodrygo Goes as he ran via on function.
Benzema netted from shut vary after 21 mins after Kepa Arrizabalaga tipped a Vinicius Junior effort into his trail.
Despite controlling the sport, Madrid needed to wait till the 74th minute for his or her 2d, with Asensio drilling house from the threshold of the field after a brief nook regimen.
In a fight between the ultimate two Champions League winners, Madrid demonstrated their power with an outstanding show, whilst Chelsea confirmed why they’re suffering in eleventh within the Premier League.
“We are satisfied with the result, for the performance but it’s not over yet, we have to fight, to sacrifice for another 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge,” mentioned Real Madrid trainer Carlo Ancelotti.
“We are satisfied only for tonight, it’s not over yet. We know Chelsea will try to (give) everything next week.”
Ancelotti, who coached Lampard at Chelsea between 2009-2011, depended on veteran midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to drag the strings.
Lampard, in his 2d sport on the helm since changing Graham Potter ultimate week, threw Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante immediately into the beginning line-up after harm issues.
Kante shone in opposition to Madrid within the 2021 semis as Chelsea beat them en path to profitable the trophy for the second one time, and his efficiency used to be a good for Lampard.
The French midfielder slipped on-loan Atletico striker Joao Felix via firstly, however he fired at former Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid lovers had proven their improve for Fede Valverde prior to the sport, after he allegedly punched Villarreal’s Alex Baena on Saturday, and he just about rewarded them with a piledriver which flew narrowly off-target.
“For me he was the best player on the pitch, he put in a lot of energy,” mentioned Ancelotti.
“He was impeccable at recovering the ball.”
Benzema, who netted a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge ultimate season and scored the function that despatched Madrid via in opposition to the Blues in the second one leg, tapped house his 6th function in opposition to Chelsea to open the scoring.
Dani Carvajal lofted a tempting ball excessive and even if Kepa were given his fingertips to Vinicius’s effort, Benzema used to be left with a easy tap-in.
Chelsea virtually produced an rapid equalizer however Courtois made a shocking save to disclaim Raheem Sterling from shut vary.
Madrid toyed with their warring parties, penning them again of their field for enormous stretches, with Vinicius, Rodrygo and David Alaba going shut.
Blues blows
Chelsea have struggled badly for targets this season and after their early possibilities, discovered it tough to construct in assault.
The Blues have now not scored of their ultimate 4 fits throughout all competitions for the primary time since 1993 — and their simplest natural striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, isn’t registered to play within the Champions League.
“The last bit is sometimes confidence,” mentioned Lampard. “If you’re employed, stay going, one thing can trade.
“No player doesn’t want to score a goal, sometimes they need support, confidence and a push in a positive way.”
Chelsea’s uphill battle used to be made tougher prior to the hour mark when Chilwell tugged again Rodrygo as he ran via on function and used to be proven a immediately purple card.
A troublesome night used to be compounded when Asensio squeezed an effort via Fofana’s legs and into the ground nook to double the hosts’ merit.
Benzema would possibly have netted every other in stoppage time however headed astray after Kepa driven a go into his trail.
Antonio Rudiger made a just right block to thwart Mason Mount overdue on to verify his former aspect may just now not take the rest sure into the second one leg.
“We’re 2-0 down against Real Madrid, that’s a fact now, that’s done,” mentioned Lampard.
“(But) we’re in a different place now, we’re in a place to prove things wrong, change the tone, change the story.”
Chelsea host Madrid subsequent Tuesday, with the winners dealing with Manchester City or Bayern Munich within the semi-finals.