Chelsea predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Champions League
By Max Parsons
Chelsea are going to have to pull off something special if they're to continue their defence of the Champions League when they travel to Real Madrid for the second leg of their quarter-final clash.
The first leg proved part of a disastrous week for Thomas Tuchel's side; a 4-1 thrashing by Brentford was followed by a 3-1 defeat to Los Blancos, giving the Blues a mammoth task to progress to the final four. They've bounced back well from those results, though, and head into this week's game on the back of a 6-0 thumping of Southampton.
Here's how Tuchel could line his side up on Tuesday night, against Carlo Ancelotti's in-form Real Madrid...
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Edouard Mendy (GK) - Set for a ninth Champions League appearance this season, in search of a sixth clean sheet.
Andreas Christensen (CB) - Cesar Azpilicueta will likely be sidelined having tested positive for Covid-19 very recently, so Christensen should continue.
Thiago Silva (CB) - Will likely start once more, having been brought off early against Southampton to rest.
Antonio Rudiger (CB) - Such an important presence in the Blues side and, following his excellent performance last time out, will surely start once more.
2. Wing-backs & midfielders
Reece James (RWB) - Was afforded a rest for the trip to the south coast last time out, so should be raring to go on Tuesday night.
N'Golo Kante (CM) - Was more like himself last time out and should retain his spot to provide that insatiable energy against the veteran Real Madrid midfield.
Mateo Kovacic (CM) - Having replaced Jorginho halfway through the first leg and played the full 90 at the weekend, Kovacic has surely done enough to earn another start here.
Marcos Alonso (LWB) - Tuchel's options for this role have taken another hit with Covid-19-positive Azpilicueta joining Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the sidelines but, after scoring at St Mary's, Alonso's inclusion isn't a difficult decision to make.
3. Forwards
Mason Mount (RF) - Born in Portsmouth, Mount would have enjoyed demonstrating his quality with two strikes at Southampton last time out, and he should be set for another start after that display.
Kai Havertz (ST) - Consistently coming good for the Blues at the moment, boasting six goals and an assist in his previous seven outings.
Timo Werner (LF) - Tuchel has plenty of options to pick from but following his brace at St Mary's, Werner should feel hard done by if not selected for this one.