Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Chelsea’s extra energy exertion made Real Madrid the livelier side towards the end of yesterday’s Champions League contest.
As quoted by the club website, Ancelotti felt his team were able to take advantage of their guest’s tired minds and bodies in extra time following 90 minutes of relentless commitment.
Thomas Tuchel’s men left absolutely everything on the Bernabeu pitch, only to see their endeavours eventually mean nothing.
They had to put on a monumental effort to even have a chance of reaching the semi-finals, having shot themselves in the foot somewhat in the first leg.
The game plan was clear from the get-go; throw everything at the Spaniards and hope they crumble.
To Chelsea’s credit, the strategy almost worked perfectly.
Chelsea came so close
Mason Mount sent the European holders ahead after 15 minutes, before Antonio Rudiger doubled their lead on the night and levelled the scores on aggregate six minutes into the second half.
Marcos Alonso nearly turned the tie on his head, but VAR punished the defender with a handball in the lead up to his goal.
But the disappointment was short-lived.
Timo Werner evaded a few Madrid tackles in the box, before a deflection took his shot past Thibaut Courtois to send the Blues into bedlam.
Chelsea had done it. Their improved pressing – which was missing from the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge – had paid dividends. The semi-final loomed large over the horizon.
Or so they thought.
Madrid make the semis
Rodrygo revived Madrid with ten minutes remaining thanks to a smart volley, set up by a beautiful pass from Luka Modric.
With the aggregate score equal once again, extra time beckoned.
“Chelsea put an awful lot of effort in to their press and that gave us the edge in extra time because we were fresher than them at that stage,” explained Ancelotti.
Evidently, Chelsea’s added applications proved to be costly.
Weary souls switched off for one second, allowing the La Liga leaders to make the killer blow.
Reece James allowed Vinicius Jnr a rare moment of solitude, which proved costly.
Vinicius had the space to pick out a cross, one that was met by the head of Karim Benzema.
Madrid dragged themselves into the semi-final, whilst Chelsea lay broken on the floor.
They did everything in their powers, but got nothing.
You did us proud though boys, never forget that.
Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
