(Football news) Real Madrid defeated Chelsea 3-1 at the Stamford Bridge in the 1st leg of the UCL quarter finals. Unlike the PSG tie, Real Madrid turned up from minute one with high intensity and tireless pressing. Carlo Ancelotti's big call of starting Fede Valverde on the right wing ahead of Marco Asensio and Rodrygo proved to be a masterstroke. Karim Benzema scored a 2nd consecutive hat-trick as he led from the front.

Thomas Tuchel played a 3 at the back in the first half before switching to a back 4 in the 2nd half. Carlo Ancelotti played his standard 4-3-3 but Valverde on the right was almost a wing back as he put in the hard yards. Both teams showed intent from the start as they both had clear chances. Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a pinpoint header after linking up with Vinicius Jr. Three minutes later, Luka Modric played a magical cross into the box which Benzema headed home once again. Chelsea stepped on the gas a little after being 2-0 down and were rewarded after Kai Havertz scored from Jorginho's cross. The header hit Thibaut Courtois's palm but had too much power in it. Benzema had another great chance to restore the 2 goal cushion but missed the goal.

One minute into the 2nd half Edouard Mendy miscued a pass to Antonio Rudiger. Benzema who was the only player in the Chelsea half latched onto it and passed it into an open goal. Mendy was massively at fault but Rudiger also should have done better. Benzema became the 4th player to score consecutive hat-tricks in the Champions League. Chelsea then had many chances but couldn't manage to score. Thibaut Courtois amidst all the negative noise from the Chelsea fans pulled off some incredible saves to keep the ball out of his goal. 

Real Madrid had much more intensity with Chelsea and more control as well. Ancelotti's men for the most part were comfortable playing out from the back. Casemiro had an incredible game in midfield as he was all over the pitch in attack and defence. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos did their usual business in midfield with control. Kai Havertz was the one Chelsea player who had a good game, he was involved in almost every good attacking chance Chelsea created. It will take a masterclass from Chelsea to come back from the 2 goal deficit at the Bernabeu.

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