Chelsea on Wednesday night overpowered Real Madrid in the semi-final of this season’s UEFA Champions League to set up an all-English final.
Goals from Timo Werner and Mason Mount beat Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will now face Manchester City in the Champions League final in Istanbul after convincingly overcoming Real Madrid.
On a night of high tension played behind closed doors, Chelsea deserved a victory that sets up an all-English final against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders on 29 May.
Thomas Tuchel’s hosts were grateful to goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for two fine first-half saves from Karim Benzema but they were able to build on the 1-1 draw they achieved in Madrid when Timo Werner headed in from almost on the goal-line in the 28th minute after Kai Havertz had lofted a finish on to the bar.
Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, in his post match comment said: “They deserve to win. First off, it’s difficult because Real Madrid had a lot of possession and they made us suffer, but we were dangerous with counter-attacks and never lost the hunger, never lost their desire to defend.
“Second half was even better, the structure to defend and in the second half, we could’ve scored much earlier. It’s a fantastic achievement and big congratulations to the team.
“Real Madrid are always dangerous, they can turn nothing into goals. So, to hang in there, even when you have chances and miss them, they never lost concentration, focus, and a positive energy on the pitch. This was a huge performance.
“I’m very happy we’ve achieved this. I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to live my life in football and this passion as a profession. So grateful to do it on this level and to get to another final, I’m very grateful for that.”
Real Madrid boss, Zinedine Zidane said: “They deserved the win. We fought and tried but they deserved to win and go through.
“The players who have played were fit to play. I’m proud of my boys: we tried, we have got this far – just one game from the final. Chelsea played a great match and have gone through and we have to say well done to them.
“We needed to be better going forward. We didn’t have any clear chances, they made a number of them and that’s football. Now we rest and think of LaLiga.”
