CHELSEA were dumped out of the Champions League and their season effectively ended at the hands of 14-time winners Real Madrid.
The Blues lamented their lack of a genuine No9 once again as they got into some dangerous positions – but had no one to stick the ball in the net.
GettyChelsea were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid[/caption]
Real, though, had Rodrygo who eventually turned home on 58 minutes to effectively kill off any slim hopes of a Madrid-style comeback.
Ten minutes from time, Los Blancos turned on the style to waltz their way through the Chelsea defence as Fede Valverde put the ball on a plate for Rodrygo to tap in.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joshua Jones rated Frank Lampard’s men…
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
I said beforehand this man needed to be on top form if Chelsea wanted any glimmer of a chance of going through – thankfully up to the take early on with couple of smart, albeit relatively routine, stops.
No chance with the first goal and must have been shocked when Karim Benzema passed a fine chance straight to him for an easy pick-up.
Was left exposed again for second as Real wrapped it up.
Wesley Fofana – 7
Did brilliantly to just about put off Vinicius at the back post when he looked certain to score.
Along with Reece James helped keep the left-winger relatively quiet after his field day at the Bernabeu six days ago but involved in a bit of a mix-up for the second.
Thiago Silva – 7
May be hitting 40 next year but still an absolute Rolls-Royce at the back, isn’t he? From keeping up with Fede Valverde on the counter to his perfect positioning,
Kept English clubs’ nemesis Benzema so quiet for a full 70 minutes that Carlo Ancelotti took his superstar striker off – much to the Frenchman’s public displeasure.
Rodrygo was on target twice at Stamford BridgeRichard Pelham / The Sun
GettyThiago Silva remains Chelsea’s best defender despite his age[/caption]
Trevoh Chalobah – 4
Afforded Rodrygo far too much space by standing off him – only for the winger to blast a fierce shot against the post.
Went sliding in on the same man on the touchline but completely missed man and ball – then it was a matter of who rather than if Real would score. Answer: Rodrygo.
Did make one strong recovery tackle late on.
Reece James – 5
Didn’t look his usual best – even appeared to take some kind of tablet midway through first half – and was moving pretty laboriously, but still posed a threat with his wicked deliveries.
Booked early in second half for heavy foul on Eduardo Camavinga’s ankle and unable to get at the Real left-back.
N’Golo Kante – 5
Had the perfect chance to blow the roof off a rocking Stamford Bridge but fluffed his lines with a glorious chance on ten minutes – right place, wrong man.
Incredibly, it was a case of copy and paste seven minutes after the break when Gallagher nodded down for the Frenchman to shoot on the swivel from six yards out but it lacked conviction and deflected wide.
Enzo Fernandez – 6
Woeful delivery from a dangerous free-kick position, inexplicably hitting the first man then drilled a long-range effort just wide.
Clearly an exceptionally-talented midfielder but struggling to make as much of an impact as he would have wanted.
Though he did force Courtois into a smart low stop – the Belgian’s only real save of any note – before going off as Chelsea searched for goals.
Mateo Kovacic – 5
Always happy to receive the ball, even with swarms of white shirts racing towards him.
But as expected when the line-ups were revealed, he was never a realistic goal threat on a night where Chelsea simply had to score at least two.
Marc Cucurella – 4
Cynically brought down Rodrygo as he looked to launch a counter through the middle and rightly booked, putting him on a tightrope.
Had a wonderful chance to blast the Blues in front on the stroke of half-time but his powerful hit from an angle was brilliantly blocked by pantomime villain Courtois.
GettyN’Golo Kante fluffed his lines with a huge chance in the tenth minute[/caption]
GettyMarc Cucurella could have fired the Blues in front[/caption]
Conor Gallagher – 3
A surprise inclusion in the starting XI considering the task at hand, deployed in behind Havertz.
Chelsea could have had the first had he not misplaced a key pass in the opening minutes before he could not keep a header down, although the flag went up.
Gave the ball away too much and offered very little. Brought off as Chelsea chased the game.
Kai Havertz – 4
Normally steps up in the big Champions League games but not today.
Barely got a sniff out of the Real Madrid defenders all night and was given no scraps to feed off, leading to desperate appeals for a penalty that fell on deaf ears.
ReutersConor Gallagher offered very little in the game[/caption]
GettyFrank Lampard brought on Joao Felix, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling in one go[/caption]
SUBS
Joao Felix (for Gallagher, 67 mins) – 6
Injected some quality from the off as well as some support around Havertz.
Raheem Sterling (for Fernandez, 67 mins) – 5
Didn’t do much after one jinking run as soon as he came on.
Mykhailo Mudryk (for Cucurella, 67 mins) – 5
Brought on technically as a left wing-back and helped Chalobah out with key defensive work to stop Vinicius.
Flashes of good and bad – an exciting run twice ended with a terrible finish. Booked.
Mason Mount (for Havertz, 77 mins) – 5
Barely involved as Real Madrid saw out the win.