Chelsea Suffer a Huge Injury Blow Before the Second-Leg Clash Against Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarter-Finals
Real Madrid were victorious in the first leg with a 2-0 victory. Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio scored the goals to give Los Blancos the crucial win. Kaliduo Koulibaly started the game for the Blues. However, he was substituted and replaced by Marc Cucurella in the second half.
Frank Lampard on Kalidou Koulibaly: "No, he won't be available for either game [vs Brighton and Real Madrid]. Hamstring injury. Matter of weeks rather than days."
The former Napoli defender got injured in the second half against Real Madrid. He strained his hamstring in the game. Koulibaly performed well in the game and it was really a misfortune that he had to be substituted in the game due to injury. Now Chelsea’s interim manager has provided an update on his availability.
In the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, Chelsea did show certain bright moments against Real Madrid. However, they were unable to convert any of the chances they had in the game. On top of it, their defensive game hasn’t been strong as well. While Koulibaly’s injury adds more to the misery.
While Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior will show no mercy in front of the goal. However, in the past Stamford Bridge has been a place where the Blues have managed to script comebacks. Chelsea fans and Frank Lampard would want his side to believe that they are capable of a comeback against Real Madrid.
On paper, the task looks impossible but Lampard would want his side to show some fighting spirit. Although he would be disappointed with the way his side played against Brighton. The Blues were defeated 2-1 at Stamford Bridge by Brighton. However, there were a few positives from the game.
Thus the Blues fans will be hoping that those few positives will be enough to get them past Real Madrid in the Champions League. While the experience of Ashley Cole in the coaching staff could also come in handy.
In the game at Santiago Bernabeu, it was Marc Cucurella who replaced the 31 years old. However, the Spaniard was very much responsible for Ben Chilwell’s red card. Thus the Blues will be without the Englishman against Real Madrid.
While January signing Benoît Badiashile is not a part of the Champions League squad. Chelsea fans would have loved to have him against Real Madrid but the Frenchman is not available. Cucurella is likely to play at the left wing-back or left-back position.
Trevoh Chalobah is likely to come in as a replacement for the Koulibaly. Although his game time has been limited this season but Lampard would be hopeful he can step up against Real Madrid. In his recent game against Brighton, he had a tough time against Kaoru Mitoma.
The Japanese international has a similar style of play compared to Vinicuis Junior. However, the Brazilian is more explosive than the Japanese. Thus overall it will be a mammoth task for Lampard against Real Madrid and he has very little time to prepare his team for it as well.
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