Chelsea loses to Real Madrid in Champions League
Chelsea loses to Real Madrid in the Champions League
putting the club’s survival in jeopardy
Chelsea loses to Real Madrid in the Champions league
While Chelsea’s future is uncertain off the field, the team had a bad night on the pitch in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against Real Madrid on Wednesday. On a damp and windy night in west London, Karim Benzema’s hat trick powered his team to a 3-1 triumph, putting the Spanish side in full control of the contest heading into the return leg. When the draw was done, it looked like the game would be extremely different.
The legacy of Russian businessman Roman Abramovich at Chelsea has been overshadowed by death and destruction in Ukraine. Sanctions imposed on outgoing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a result of his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to be having a significant impact on what was the club’s most important game of the season so far.
Fans ambiguity
It was unclear whether any Chelsea fans would be able to attend the game, and travel budget constraints cast doubt on the club’s ability to compete in the Champions League at all. However, with more clarifications and collaboration with the British government, it was easy to forget about the off-field issues as a packed Stamford Bridge cheered on the team. On the field, Chelsea got off to a better start, rushing on Madrid players who took a while to settle in — but eventually did. The visitors created a fantastic opportunity for Vinicius Jr., who slammed the crossbar with his early effort, and Chelsea ignored the warning.
Game Began
Real Madrid’s first goal was scored by Karim Benzema, who celebrated with his teammates. After Benzema placed two perfect headers past Edouard Mendy in a frenetic three-minute span, Thomas Tuchel’s side found itself two goals down.
The goals were met with ecstatic celebrations in the away end, where many Madrid fans were caught off guard by the storm. The home support became agitated as the semifinals appeared to be a faraway dream for Chelsea, but there was still a twist in-store in a frenetic first half. With a header of his own, Kai Havertz halved the deficit, latching on to a superbly constructed cross from Jorginho.
Benzema was on target again shortly after the restart, this time taking advantage of some careless play by goalkeeper Mendy. His ball to Antonio Rudiger was sloppy, and the defender couldn’t stop Benzema from stealing possession and passing into an open goal. After his heroics in the round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain, it was the Frenchman’s second consecutive hat trick in this competition. After allowing the third goal, Edouard Mendy responds.
That’s the spirit
Despite the fact that Chelsea had more attempts and possession of the ball in the second half, Madrid fans were dancing as the home crowd became increasingly furious. There was enough to suggest Chelsea had a chance in the second game, albeit a slight one, but who knows how the club would look by then? A number of potential owners have expressed interest in taking over the club’s management, but no decision on the club’s future direction has been made.
According to his spokesman, Abramovich has been serving as a go-between between Russia and Ukraine, hopping between Moscow, Kyiv, Istanbul, Warsaw, and other cities in a flurry of negotiations aimed at ending the crisis. All of this is happening as the grim realities of war begin to emerge across Ukraine, as Russian soldiers retreat from Kyiv and shift their focus to the country’s east.
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