Real Madrid face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this evening.
It’s the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final and there’s a lot at stake. Madrid knocked out Paris Saint-Germain in the last round while Chelsea beat another French side in Lille.
Chelsea are reigning European champions and knocked Madrid – the side to have won the European Cup more than anyone else – out of last season’s Champions League at the semi-final stage.
But they’re not quite the imperious side of last term.
Despite beginning the season with hopes of challenging Manchester City and Liverpool for the Premier League title they’re off the pace; 13 points behind Liverpool and 14 behind City.
Los Blancos aren’t in their best moment either but they’re still 12 points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
They have unrivalled European pedigree and several world-class match-winners in their team, also, and will be confident that they can beat anyone on their day. It’s set to be an intriguing match.
Thomas Tuchel will set his team up in a 5-2-3 as per Marca.
Edouard Mendy will start behind a defence of Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso.
Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante will play in midfield behind a front three of Christian Pulisic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.
Carlo Ancelotti will set his team up in a 4-3-3.
Thibaut Courtois will start in goal behind a back four of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy.
Casemiro will anchor the midfield with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos beside him while Karim Benzema will lead the line flanked by Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior.
