For those who had provided Chelsea a 1-1 attract the primary leg of their Champions League semi-final in opposition to Actual Madrid earlier than being fired, Thomas Tuchel would little question have taken it.
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However when issues developed on Tuesday evening, you would not assist however get the sensation that the Blues could remorse not making higher use of Los Blanco’s horrible begin to the sport.
Throughout the first half, however particularly throughout the first 20 minutes, Chelsea appeared startling. Zinedine Zidane – who has obtained extra credit score as a tactician beneath his second management – had arrange Actual to match his opponents.
Courtois with a BIG early save in opposition to his former aspect! ? ❌ pic.twitter.com/Q27W4MmKKv
– Soccer on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 27, 2021
Los Blancos lined up with hill three by Eder Militao, Nacho and Raphael Varane with Dani Carvajal and Marcelo as wing backs. On paper, it made sense and it was a tactic that Zidane additionally employed within the spherical of 16 in opposition to Atalanta. Within the second a part of the tie, Actual shaped in the identical method as they did on Tuesday evening and secured a 3-1 victory.
Nonetheless, the outcome line didn’t inform the complete story, whereas Actual didn’t play so properly. It was far more about Atalanta dropping the sport than Zidane’s accusations that gained it.
They appeared simply as uncomfortable in a again three in opposition to Chelsea.
On either side, their wing-backs left gaps that the midfield – whose lack of legs was painfully clear when the blues broke ahead – couldn’t fill. Marcelo’s positioning was significantly weird. In possession, the Brazilian popped up in every single place and typically went into an virtually defensive midfield place. Different occasions he camped on the shoulder of the final defender.
Marcelo was in every single place | Denis Doyle / Getty Photographs
Regardless of what feeling he felt forward, he constantly did not observe. This was most clearly uncovered throughout the tenth minute. After a number of apparent shirt pulling incidents, Christian Pulisic acquired himself booked. The supervisor of Timo Werner was not pleased. He then did what he does greatest: lack an absolute sitter.
All through the alternate, Marcelo was not even with the digital camera in thoughts and it will not be the final time Varane was left to cope with Chelsea’s horrifying transitions with out assist.
Throughout this flash opening 25 minutes, Chelsea scored by means of Pulisic and recorded 4 extra pictures whereas Actual solely had one. This was additionally not the one measure that the Blues dominated. In addition they competed extra dribbles, tackles and had extra possession with their waspish urgent to hold Toni Kroos and Luka Modric’s affect to a minimal.
ft. That is all there may be to play for at Bridge subsequent week! ? #RMACHE pic.twitter.com/kXt1dMh8Ej
– Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 27, 2021
Nonetheless, they went into the break stage with their opponents attributable to their lack of ability to defend a loss of life purpose.
After the break, Actual adjusted their type and managed to realize a foothold within the sport. It’s unlikely that they are going to make the identical mistake in Wednesday’s second stage both, suggesting that Chelsea could come to rue who missed the Werner likelihood and their failure to capitalize on their fiery begin in eight days.
