Ben Chilwell, Luka Jovic , Callum Hudson-Odoi and other 3 key players that will miss the Champions League clash
On Wednesday, Chelsea will play Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.
Real Madrid will be without four first-team players for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea on Wednesday evening, as the Blues seek a second consecutive European title.
Despite the fact that the matches took place under a cloud of uncertainty caused by Roman Abramovich's decision to sell the club, Thomas Tuchel led his side past Lille with ease in the last-16. After being humiliated 4-1 by Brentford on Saturday, fans will be hoping for a strong response against the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid came back from a two-goal deficit on aggregate against Paris Saint-Germain, thanks to a stunning Karim Benzema hat-trick that keeps Los Blancos on track for a 14th title. Chelsea won the last time the two sides met, advancing to last season's final with a semi-final victory over Real Madrid.
Despite their defeat at Brentford, Tuchel insisted that it had nothing to do with the looming game, telling the post-match press conference: "It has nothing to do with Real Madrid. It is all about us. We have one day off now before we resume on Monday." We chose this team because we believed it was the best fit for Brentford. We didn't have a tenth of an eye or a tenth of a tenth of an eye or one per cent of an eye on Real Madrid."
Chelsea are, at the very least, in good physical condition ahead of the match. Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, will have to make do with a number of first-team absentees if he is able to travel after testing positive for coronavirus.
When they announced their squad on Monday, Isco, Miguel Gutierrez, Luka Jovic, and Chelsea legend Eden Hazard were all left out. All four will miss the first leg due to injuries, with Hazard and Gutierrez expected to miss the rest of the 2021-22 season. Tuchel's only absentees at Stamford Bridge are likely to be Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
However, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Luka Modric, and Toni Kroos still in their ranks, they have a strong squad., there will be plenty to occupy the Blues.
Chelsea will have most if not all of their big-hitters available for the first leg of their quarter-final, although Ben Chilwell remains out for the long-term and Callum Hudson-Odoi is now dealing with a back problem as well as a sore Achilles.
Tuchel is likely to consider a three-man central defense with Reece James' return to fitness, while Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic will both hope to replace Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who will miss the second leg if he is booked here.
Real Madrid's Eden Hazard will miss a reunion with his former club due to a fibular plate operation, while backup strikers Luka Jovic and Isco will also be absent.
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