Chelsea will take on Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League tonight. The Blues have a mountain to climb, as they lost the first leg 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Chelsea’s recent form hasn’t been great either, with the team managing to score only three goals in the last six games. However, Frank Lampard’s side will be hoping to turn things around and progress to the semi-finals.
Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Real Madrid, according to Football FanCast:
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Starting XI: Kepa; James, Fofana, Silva, Cucurella; Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic; Mount; Felix, Havertz.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to continue in goal, as he had a decent outing against Brighton. In defence, Thiago Silva is likely to replace Benoit Badiashile alongside Wesley Fofana at centre-back, while Marc Cucurellla and Reece James would play as left-back and right-back, respectively.
In midfield, N’Golo Kante should return instead of Conor Gallagher, with Mateo Kovacic replacing Denis Zakaria against his former club. Mason Mount, who has the potential to unlock Real Madrid’s defence, is expected to play as an attacking midfielder behind top scorer Kai Havertz and Joao Felix.
Chelsea fans will hope that this formation change, along with some inspired performances, will be enough to secure a place in the last four of the Champions League.
