Champions League quarter-final tie gets underway in London
Real Madrid travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of the tie against the defending champions (9pm CET).
Tonight sees Real Madrid face one of the biggest games of the season as they contest the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. Our boys are in London ahead of the first instalment of the tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in what promises to be an attractive encounter that pits the kings of Europe against the reigning champions 9pm CET.
This contest also offers the teams the first opportunity to take a step towards the semi-finals. However, as we saw in the round-of-16 bout against PSG, there is always the return leg back at the Bernabéu, where Madrid are a tough nut to crack. The last time the two sides locked horns was at the semi-final stage of last season's edition of the continent's elite club competition.
This contest also offers the teams the first opportunity to take a step towards the semi-finals. However, as we saw in the round-of-16 bout against PSG, there is always the return leg back at the Bernabéu, where Madrid are a tough nut to crack. The last time the two sides locked horns was at the semi-final stage of last season's edition of the continent's elite club competition.
"We're in very good shape, are raring to go and play with the right intensity levels and give our all to win", commented Thibaut Courtois in the pre-match press conference. The madridista travelling party features a 23-man squad that includes Karim Benzema, who comes into the game fresh from hitting brace against Celta and has previous experience of having netted against Chelsea.
Defending champions
Chelsea were crowned European champions for the second time in their history when they overcame Manchester City on 29 May 2021. This season saw the English outfit begin the defence of their crown in Group H alongside Juventus, Zenit and Malmo, before accounting for Lille in a 4-1 round-of-16 aggregate triumph. Timo Werner is the hosts' leading goalscorer in this season's edition, with three goals to his name.
Defending champions
Chelsea were crowned European champions for the second time in their history when they overcame Manchester City on 29 May 2021. This season saw the English outfit begin the defence of their crown in Group H alongside Juventus, Zenit and Malmo, before accounting for Lille in a 4-1 round-of-16 aggregate triumph. Timo Werner is the hosts' leading goalscorer in this season's edition, with three goals to his name.