Champions League Preview: Chelsea face an improbable task at the Santiago Bernabeu

Defending European champions Chelsea will have a do-or-die contest against 13-time European champions Real Madrid as they face them in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League. 

The Los Blancos will be high on morale as they amassed three goals courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick at Stamford Bridge. 

With spring in their steps, Carlo Ancelotti's men now eye a place in the semi-final while Thomas Tuchel and his men eye salvation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid vs Chelsea: Head to Head

The teams only met five times in competitive football before last week's match. The 3-1 win at Bridge was the first time ever that Real Madrid beat Chelsea, while these two teams share a couple of draws. 

Chelsea have beaten Real on three occasions including a last season's semi-final triumph. The previous occasions when these teams met were all in finals; the 1971 UEFA Cup Winners Cup Final and 1998 UEFA Super Cup, where Chelsea prevailed on both occasions to lift the trophy.

Chelsea haven't lost a competitive game in Madrid

The Londoners have a very proud record in the city of Madrid as they have never lost on any of their five visits. 

Last season was the first time they faced Real Madrid away at the Bernabéu, drawing 1-1. Their rest of the four visits to Madrid have come against Atletico Madrid, winning two and drawing two. 

However, provided the current circumstances, Chelsea need another solid performance if they are to keep their bid alive to defend the European title.

Real Madrid's proud home record against English sides

Real Madrid have played English opponents on 45 competitive occasions, of which 19 have taken place on their home turf, 20 away from home and six on neutral venues. 

In those 19 home matches they have lost only thrice; a 0-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2006, a 0-1 defeat to Liverpool in 2009 and 1-2 against Manchester City in 2020. 

The Los Blancos have beaten English sides on 18 occasions, which includes the 2018 Champions League final and 2017 UEFA Super Cup final wins.

Player Comparison | Karim Benzema vs Kai Havertz

34-year-old Karim Benzema is enjoying the form of his life as he has scored two Champions League hat-tricks this term in as many games. 

Only Robert Lewandowski has scored more goals than Karim Benzema this term in the Champions League, as he continues his impressive form. 

The French international scored a hat-trick against PSG the last time he stepped on the field of  Bernabéu in the Champions League. This season he has 11 Champions League goals alongside 24 in the La Liga as Real Madrid challenges on both fronts.

Weekend bounce back for Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel’s men needed a reaction after their midweek defeat and they responded perfectly with a 6-0 win over Southampton. 

Timo Werner and Mason Mount both ended with a brace while Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz also ended with a goal apiece to set their tone on the midweek return leg. 

Real Madrid on the other hand didn’t have much to worry as they inflicted a 2-0 win over city rivals Getafe in a Madrid derby. 

Goals from Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez did the job for the Los Blancos as they turn attention to the midweek game.

Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-2 Chelsea (Real Madrid to go through 5-3 on aggregate)