The first of the two semi-finals of this 2020-2021 edition will oppose Real Madrid to Chelsea, this Tuesday at the Alfredo Di Stéphano Stadium (9pm). After eliminating FC Porto (2-1), the Blues hope to emulate their run of the 2011-2012 season. As for them, the Madrid will try to bring back a fourteenth cup to the big ears. But for that, it will be necessary to negotiate this double confrontation as best we can. Note that Real Madrid had eliminated Liverpool (3-1) the previous round. This clash promises a very high level display, including the presence on the bench of both teams of Zinedine Zidane, triple winner of the competition with the Merengues, and Thomas Tuchel, finalist last year with PSG. This is not the first duel between the two teams on the European scene. Merengue and Blues have already faced each other three times, with two wins for the Londoners and a draw: in the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 (1-1 in the first match and 2-1 for Chelsea in the match to be replayed) and in the 1998 European Super Cup with this time, a 1-0 win for the Blues. In all competitions, Chelsea is also the opponent that Real Madrid has most often met without managing to beat it. 
A duel of outsiders?
Despite a squad and a certain depth of bench, we did not necessarily expect the Madrid in the semi-finals of the LDC. After complicated group stage matches, the merengues negotiated well the confrontations against Atalanta and Liverpool. This team in transition since the departure of C.Ronaldo, however, can count on the experience of his players. Zidane's management is also one of the keys to the level displayed by Casa Blanca. And it was Thomas Tuchel who explained it Monday in a press conference: "We have arrived in the semi-finals and at the highest level, we will play Real Madrid and it could not be more difficult. Because they are the most experienced team in this competition." For its part, Chelsea is the least favorite team out of the last four candidates in lices. During the season, the Londoners experienced a change of coach following the sacking of Lampard. The German Thomas Tuchel who took over the reins of this team offered tactical consistency and solidity. Despite problems that persist in this team with recruits who struggle to explode, Chelsea do not arrive by chance in the semi-finals. After a first place in the group stage, Tuchel's men eliminated Atlético Madrid as well as FC Porto. 
A tactical match…
This match will pit two tactically strong teams against each other, who have scored little this season. Real Madrid remain on three 0-0 in the last four games in La Liga. We don't necessarily expect a spectacular match. The match will not necessarily give many goals. These Merengues may not make you dream every day, but they remain impressively solid when it comes to the big European evenings. For this European clash, Zinedine Zidane will not be able to count on Ferland Mendy, Sergio Ramos or Lucas Vazquez, all three injured, while Federico Valverde is affected by Covid-19. According to Marca, Real Madrid will play in a 4-3-3 with Thibaut Courtois in the cages, Eder Militao and Raphael Varane in central defense while Marco Asensio, Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior are expected to start in attack. The two metronomes of this team namely Kroos and Modric feel physical genes in recent days but should start the match. The performance of the midfielder will be essential during this double confrontation. Eden Hazard will be on the bench. The X factor against his former club? Real Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal, Militão, Varane, Fernandez – Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, – Benzema (cap.), Vinicius Junior 
In recent months, Chelsea have shown impressive defensive solidity. The Blues have kept their cage inviolate 10 times in the last 14 games. For his part, Thomas Tuchel, the coach of the London club, will be able to count on an almost complete group. Only Mateo Kovacic, injured, is missing. With many cartridges at his disposal, the German will rely on a 3-4-3 with Edouard Mendy in the cages. N'Golo Kanté and Jorginho will be associated in the midfield, Reece James and Ben Chilwell will occupy the corridors while Mason Mount the man in form, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic are expected in attack. Olivier Giroud will start on the bench. Chelsea: Mendy – James, Azpilicueta (cap.), Silva, Rüdiger, Chilwell – Jorginho, Kanté – Mount, Werner, Pulisic 
