Tactical Analysis: Real Madrid vs. Chelsea (First Leg)

In the rain in Spain, Chelsea gave a brilliant account of themselves in a game where they did more than enough to win and may come to rue their chances. In a zone of Madrid under construction: Valdebebas, literally a stone’s throw away from Madrid airport, I’m not sure many would have predicted a Champions League Semi-Final would be held at one of the training facilities of the European behemoth, but hey ho COVID-19 and all that.

Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel had a plan, and for 25 odd minutes, the plan worked to perfection but lacked clinical execution that could've put them out of sight. Put succinctly, Chelsea brilliantly transitioned the ball through Madrid’s lackadaisical press to create attacking opportunities for Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic to drive forward with N’Golo Kanté in particular, joining them.

Perhaps benefitting from the fact that they were much used to playing in the 3-5-2 system with the correct personnel whereas Madrid looked a little shaky in the opening period in the same formation, possibly missing Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy in defense.