Frank Leboeuf has given Chelsea every chance of overturning Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg this evening.
Speaking on ESPN, Leboeuf placed plenty of faith in his former side ahead of their potentially perilous or joyous fixture against Los Blancos tonight.
The state of play between Chelsea and Madrid
Thomas Tuchel’s men travelled to Spain yesterday, fully aware that the European crown they claimed last May might be ripped away from them soon.
Madrid defeated the holders 3-1 at Stamford Bridge just under a week ago, with Karim Benzema collecting the match ball.
Kai Havertz managed to dent the score line slightly in Chelsea’s favour, but the Blues still have a huge mountain to climb if they are to reach the semi-finals.
Scything down Southampton 6-0 on the road isn’t a bad way to warm up for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, a win that has hopefully pumped extra confidence into Tuchel’s squad.
They will also surely harness last season’s encounter with Madrid, where a convincing home victory eliminated the La Liga leaders.
As both camps know, anything can happen in football, especially on the continental stage where form and history often goes out of the window.
For Chelsea, the slate needs to be wiped clean and painted with a picture-perfect performance.
Will it be Chelsea’s day?
“Of course they can because the away goal doesn’t count anymore and I don’t see why it’s not possible for Chelsea to win 2-0 and go to extra time or even win 3-0 against Madrid,” insisted Leboeuf.
“I saw Barcelona be able to win 4-0 against Real Madrid.
“I really think it’s possible. Even the Real Madrid players know that. I don’t know how Ancelotti is going to play, if he’s going to play defensively.
“But they really know that the beginning of the game is going to be crucial and the beginning of the second half is going to be crucial.
“If they conceded a goal very quickly, they are going to feel in danger and they are going to start shaking maybe and feel fragile.
“So, it’s not done yet. Of course Madrid have a huge advantage, but it’s not done yet.”
Chelsea must score three times without reply to avoid playing an additional 30 minutes and possibly penalties at the Bernabeu.
Easy, right?
Quite the opposite.
Madrid have only conceded three or more goals in a game twice this term.
Barca put four past them in the El Clasico, whilst Levante managed a 3-3 draw on the 22nd of August.
Also, very rarely have the Spaniards failed to find the back of the net under Ancelotti.
That will make Chelsea’s triumph even more satisfying then…
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