Jack87 news today — asianbookie Karim Benzema scores Real Madrid’s first goal during their Champions League clash with Chelsea at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
“”I have a lot of faith, and we’re going to win 3-0 tonight,”” declared Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly ahead of his team’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The 46-year-old American mogul, as is his wont, has blurted out tons of nonsensical ideas and conjectures since taking over the English football powerhouse last May alongside his consortium of partners. However, as is the story of Chelsea’s abject season, there has been little to back up their overlord’s bold statements on the pitch.
Though the London side began brilliantly with both Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling missing glorious early chances, bk8 it didn’t take too long for Madrid to assert themselves with perceptive movement and incisive attacking play.
And once Karim Benzema, who breached Chelsea’s backline at the same stage of the competition last season, inevitably netted an easy tap-in to give Madrid a deserved lead inside half an hour, it was a case of how many the 14-time winners would score.
While Carlo Ancelotti’s players were in complete control, Chelsea, under interim manager Frank Lampard after a chaotic campaign, were reduced to chasing shadows and looked excruciatingly clueless even when they had the ball at their feet.
It didn’t help that Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell was shown a straight red card near the hour mark after pulling back Rodrygo as the Brazilian ran through on goal. Madrid duly took advantage of the numerical imbalance, with Marco Asensio doubling their advantage 16 minutes from time with a smart effort.
By full-time, Madrid racked up 18 shots against Chelsea, who failed to scored for a fourth match in a row, their longest barren run in 30 years. Lampard, meanwhile, has now suffered 13 defeats in his past 16 matches in all competitions.bk8 malaysia
Joao Felix of Chelsea reacts after their Champions League loss to Real Madrid
The Champions League is Chelsea’s last hope of a trophy this season and the only consolation is that Lampard’s side were not on the receiving end of a much heavier defeat at the Bernabeu, which means, in theory, they could mount a comeback in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on April 18.
“”This is a good result but we’re bugged by the fact that we didn’t score a third or even a fourth goal,”” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois told reporters after the win. “”I hope we don’t regret not having added another when we play again next week.””
Lampard also insisted that Chelsea could defy the odds. “”It’s a big challenge against a team with a quality of Real Madrid, but the door is open; it is up to us whether we want to kick it open further next week,”” he observed.malaysia bk8
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid battles for the ball with Thiago Silva of Chelsea during their Champions League tie
“”There are things to work on and I can see opportunities there from tonight. We have to believe it is possible: a percentage of the game is mindset, a belief… We’re not favorites: we weren’t favorites yesterday and we’re not favorites today, but that’s football. The possibilities are ours if we take them.””
While nothing is impossible in sport, it is still incredibly difficult to see where the optimism is coming from after a fifth match without a victory and a demoralized squad languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
For all the ambitious declarations, bk8 asianbookie things fell apart in front of Boehly. While the show must go on, the defeat could prove decisive in the final reckoning.
