Real Madrid beat Chelsea – Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos turn back time

It was only two and a half weeks ago that Real Madrid got a real kick in the face in the Clásico against FC Barcelona.

Los Blancos lost their home game against Barça 4-0 and were then mercilessly attacked by the local press. In particular, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro got their fat off. Too old, too slow, too uninspired, so the accusation.

Before the game it was clear that the duel in midfield between the three real stars on the one hand and Jorginho and N’Golo Kanté on the other hand would be of great importance. Casemiro, Modric and Kroos emerged as clear winners.

Thomas Tuchel dissects his team: “We did everything wrong”

It was on Wednesday at London’s Stamford Bridge, as so often in the past five or six years. Whenever the Champions League anthem sounds, Real Madrid shows its best side. “It’s just a nice competition that keeps motivating us,” said Modric after the game.

In the first half, Real sometimes played cat and mouse with the defending champion. After an initial phase of pressure from the Blues, Real took command, always felt a step faster in the duels and took advantage of Chelsea’s tactic with a very high three-man chain.

Casemiro, Modric and Kroos had the center totally under control, Chelsea constantly chased the ball relays of the three.

“We did everything wrong in the first half. We were way too open and made wrong passes in the wrong direction at the wrong time. That was the worst half since I’ve been at Chelsea,” said coach Thomas Tuchel at “BT Sports”.

At the same time, however, Tuchel paid tribute to the opponent: “Real Madrid are always able to punish such mistakes. They made us look really bad in the first half.”

Karim Benzema continues in the form of his life

In addition to the sovereignty in midfield, that was once again due to Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has been in the form of his life for months and is in no way inferior to Casemiro, Kroos and Modric: When the crunch time is up in the premier class, the “cat” strikes.

As in the round of 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, Benzema scored all three goals for Real. The first two headed in world-class style, the third slyly after a capital buck from Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

“That was the next magical night after the second leg against PSG. We played very well from the first minute,” said Benzema, adding: “Of course I’m very happy that I scored three goals again. The third was particularly important , because Chelsea are always dangerous, especially after the goal.”

His coach once again described Benzema’s performance as “fantastic”. “What he’s doing this season can no longer be described in words. I can trust him blindly, he always performs. He’s like a good wine: the older, the better. He’s just the great Karim,” said Ancelotti on “Movistar Plus”.

Benzema’s accreditation problems

Benzema almost missed the game. “He couldn’t find his accreditation to enter the stadium. I told him to hurry or he wouldn’t be able to play anymore. Luckily he found it then,” said Ancelotti.

Benzema has scored 11 times in eight Champions League games this season. He has scored ten of Real’s last eleven goals in competitive games; overall he has 37 goals in 2021/22.

“Karim is absolutely world class. He proves that week after week, game after game,” said Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who saved Real from conceding more goals after the break with a few brilliant saves against the strengthening Londoners.

Real Madrid is now one of the top favourites

Benzema, Modric, Casemiro and Kroos have each won the Champions League four times with Real Madrid. Royal class time is their time. That was the case between 2014 and 2018 and it’s the same again this season.

The “old guard”, which also includes left-back Dani Cavajal, who also has four CL titles, is ready for the next coup. Anyone who beats PSG and Chelsea 3-1 can do anything.

The top favorites may be different: Manchester City, Liverpool, maybe FC Bayern. Real Madrid has definitely been one of them since Wednesday evening at the latest.