Real Madrid are set to be without four first-team stars for their Champions League quarter-final, first leg with Chelsea on Wednesday evening as the Blues target a second consecutive European crown.
Thomas Tuchel led his side past Lille with ease in the last-16 despite the matches taking place among a cloud of uncertainty brought on by Roman Abramovich's decision to sell the club. After being humbled 4-1 by Brentford on Saturday, supporters will be expecting a big reaction against the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid came from two goals down on aggregate against Paris Saint-Germain with a stunning Karim Benzema hat-trick ensuring Los Blancos remain on course for a 14th title. Chelsea secured the bragging rights last time the sides met, booking their place in last season's final with a win against Madrid in the semi-final.
Despite their defeat to Brentford, Tuchel insisted that it had nothing to do with this mammoth game being on the horizon, telling his post-match press conference: "It is not about Real Madrid. It is about us. It is one day off now and on Monday we start again.
"We selected this team because we thought it was the best team for Brentford. We didn't have half an eye or one per cent of an eye on Real Madrid."
Chelsea are at least in decent physical shape ahead of the clash. Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand - if he is able to travel having tested positive for coronavirus - will have to make do with a number of first-team absentees.
Announcing their squad on Monday, there was no place for Isco, Miguel Gutierrez, Luka Jovic or Chelsea legend Eden Hazard. All four will miss the first-leg clash with various injuries, with both Hazard and Gutierrez expected to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign. Ben Chilwell and Callum Hudson-Odoi are likely to be the only stars missing for Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
But with the likes of Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos still in their ranks, there will be plenty to occupy the Blues.
