Thomas Tuchel's decision to omit Mateo Kovacic from the starting XI proved pivotal in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. The 27-year-old has enjoyed some dazzling displays this season but has started just four of his last nine games for the Blues.
Despite enjoying success with a three-man midfield against Los Blancos over two legs last season, the German boss opted for a pivot of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante on Wednesday night, although the latter made way for the Croatia international at half-time having been overrun by Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded midfield.
Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro marshalled the centre of the pitch, uncovering an imbalance in Chelsea's tactical makeup. And, having learned from their mistakes, Real Madrid stagnated the supply into playmakers Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic.
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Mount and Pulisic orchestrated Chelsea's success against the Spanish side last season, having enjoyed a combined 180 touches home and away. With a steady flow of possession in their favour, the duo spread their wings and contributed towards pivotal goal contributions which booked the Blues a ticket to Porto.
But this year, Ancelotti suppressed Chelsea's link between midfield and attack, which saw Mount and Pulisic have just 86 touches between them at Stamford Bridge. The pair were choked of supply from Jorginho and Kante, diminishing their ability to acclimatise to the pace of the game.
And, while it's easy in hindsight to suggest that Tuchel should have opted for Kovacic over Kante for his superior progressive passing, Chelsea suffered in the Croatian's absence. The Frenchman averages just 5.24 progressive passes per 90 minutes compared to Kovacic, who averages an impressive 7.04, as per FBref.
The west London side's No. 8 is in the 97th percentile among all players in his position from across Europe's top five leagues for forward passes, making him one of Champions League's most proficient deep-lying playmakers. Had Kovacic started, then Chelsea could have had a stronger clinch on the bout and therefore supplied Mount and Pulisic with a greater service.
Singing from a similar hymn sheet, Rio Ferdinand spoke on BT Sport to analyse Chelsea's woes at the heart of midfield. The former Manchester United defender outlined how the Blues were overrun, hinting at a change Tuchel must make in the return leg.
"Look at the opposition midfield, Kroos, Casemiro and Modric, look at how spread they are," he said. "Kroos and Modric were dropping out and creating huge areas.
"Kante presses and the midfield partner gets isolated. Madrid were fluid in attack and created problems for the Chelsea midfield who were outnumbered and didn’t have a chance in the first half."
