Wednesday 05 May 2021
Kroos fails with Real Madrid
Werner’s redemption leads Chelsea to the CL final
In the semi-final first leg, Timo Werner gives away the huge chance, in the second leg the FC Chelsea striker uses the opportunity. The Londoners are back in the Champions League final after nine years, while Real Madrid are facing a bitter final phase of the season.
“Abstauber” Timo Werner led Chelsea FC and team manager Thomas Tuchel to the Champions League final. The strong Blues stormed into the final in Istanbul with a well-deserved 2-0 (1-0) against record winners Real Madrid, where they will fight for Europe’s football crown on May 29 in an English duel with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.
Chelsea: Mendy – Christensen, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger – Azpilicueta (88th James), Kante, Jorginho, Chilwell – Havertz (90th + 4 Giroud), Timo Werner (67th Pulisic), Mount (89th Ziyech). – Trainer: Tuchel
Madrid: Courtois – Nacho, Eder Militao, Ramos, Mendy (63rd Valverde) – Casemiro (76th Rodrygo) – Kroos, Modric – Vinicius Junior (63rd Asensio), Benzema, Hazard (89th Mariano). – Trainer: Zidane
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
Gates: 1-0 Werner (28th), 2-0 Mount (85th)
Spectator: no
Yellow cards: Jorginho (4), Christensen, Mount (4) – Ramos, Nacho (2), Kroos (3), Valverde (3)
The repeatedly criticized and sometimes ridiculed Werner (28th) headed and Mason Mount (85th) scored the hosts’ goals, in which the two other national players Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger also played a strong game. The semi-final first leg in Madrid had ended 1-1. Toni Kroos’ royal team missed the first final since 2018.
Tuchel, on the other hand, reaches for the handle pot like last year – and can thus dream of the first international title of his coaching career. Last August, the former BVB coach with Paris St. Germain failed in Lisbon at the German record champions Bayern Munich.
The London national team trio and city professional İlkay Gündoğan are also fighting for their first triumph in the premier class in Turkey. In addition, the men’s and women’s teams of a club have the chance to win the title in Europe’s most important club competition for the first time in one year.
Havertz continues in strong form
The starting position before the duel at Stamford Bridge was clear: Real had to score at least one goal in order to advance. With Sergio Ramos returning to the starting line-up, the guests initially had a slight field advantage. Numerous passes initially tore no gaps in the Chelsea defense, Kroos’ attempt from a distance (11th) was harmless. The same applied to the conclusion of Rüdiger, who also tried it from a distance on the other side (12th).
The Londoners, who had given the best chances in the first leg through Werner among others, kept Real away from their own goal with a lot of leg work and waited for mistakes. Havertz, double packer in the Premier League during the week, convinced with clever passes and strong duel behavior.
If Real became dangerous, it was through Karim Benzema. The French forced Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy to do a brilliant act with a finish from 17 meters (18th). A few minutes later Havertz put a lifter on the crossbar on the other side, Werner was the only one to stay awake and dusted off the rebound with his head. The guests of coach Zinedine Zidane did not know what to do with their possession, even long balls rarely found their target. Mendy cleared a cross on Benzema (35th) for a corner.
Chelsea, on the other hand, did not play their counterattacks and chances well. The conspicuous Havertz only hit the crossbar with his header (47th), Mount (53rd), Havertz (59th) and N’Golo Kanté (66th) gave more top-class opportunities against the sometimes completely disoriented Real defense. Los Blancos could continue to hope, were much closer to another goal in the closing stages than the connection goal.
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