Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea transformation act reaches another key juncture on Wednesday when the Blues host Real Madrid hoping to finish the job in their UEFA Champions League semi-final. A 1-1 draw in Madrid put the Premier League powerhouse within reach of a second major final this season, an achievement worthy of the progress Chelsea have shown during Tuchel’s three months in charge. Zinedine Zidane may be at a disadvantage travelling to west London, but Los Blancos are fully capable of flipping the script as they target a fourth European gong in only six seasons.
What TV Channel is Chelsea-Real on?
Tuchel is 90 minutes from contesting a second straight Champions League final but in a new setup, and Real’s attempt to halt Chelsea’s charge gets underway on CBSSN and TUDN from 3 p.m. ET. You can live stream Champions League matches on fuboTV.
How to Watch Chelsea vs. Real Madrid
When: Wednesday, May 5
Where: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: CBSSN, TUDN
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)
Eden Hazard’s return to Stamford Bridge is among the more prominent storylines entering the second leg, though the Belgian makes his comeback as a lesser man than the one who left in 2019. Incessant injury troubles have ravaged the 30-year-old since completing a club-record transfer to Madrid, limiting him to just four goals in 39 appearances these past two campaigns.
Marca reported Zidane is considering Hazard for his first Champions League start since November after impressing in a 72-minute display during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Osasuna. The former Blues favorite struggled to make his usual impact after appearing off the bench against Chelsea in the home leg, when Karim Benzema cancelled out an early Christian Pulisic opener:
United States star Pulisic will hope to keep his place in Tuchel’s XI following that cool finish at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, having been rested in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Fulham. Kai Havertz will also be determined to land a place in Chelsea’s starting plans after scoring both their goals against the Cottagers. His comfort in a false nine role may be what’s needed to bamboozle a Real defense hoping to have Sergio Ramos back following a knee injury:
🗣"Maybe play no striker at all, then Ramos has nothing to fight against."
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel's reaction to the possibility of Sergio Ramos being fit to play for Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg pic.twitter.com/zyUqcTENx2
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 4, 2021
Raphael Varane will play no role at center-back after he was injured in the weekend win over Osasuna, joining full-back options Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez on the treatment table. Zidane has been boosted by Marcelo’s availability after he fulfilled his duties in the local elections, however, with Ferland Mendy also hoping to be fit for their battle at the Bridge.
Former Real midfielder Mateo Kovacic is the only definite absentee for the home side, while central defender Antonio Rudiger is aiming to recover from injury in time for second leg. Los Blancos are unbeaten in 19 games across all competitions travelling to England, though Real have drawn in three of their last five games away from home. Real have to at least score in London to have any hope of reaching the final in Istanbul, where Manchester City await them on May 29.
