Real Madrid vs Chelsea: team news, injured and suspended players
The latest team news as Real Madrid face Chelsea in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday.
Real Madrid returned to training on Monday after beating Getafe on Saturday night as they prepare for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea.
Follow Real Madrid - Chelsea live online: scores, stats and updates, Champions League quarter-final second leg.
Real Madrid team news
Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga played in midfield alongside Casemiro in the 2-0 win over Getafe. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos were rested as Carlo Ancelotti had one eye on the second leg against Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Modric and Kroos will return to the starting line-up on Tuesday, as will Dani Carvajal, who was also rested on Saturday. Lucas Vázquez replaced Carvajal and scored Los Blancon’s second goal of the night. Ferland Mendy, who did not train with the rest of his teammates on Thursday or Friday, will also be available at left-back after being left out at the weekend.
The French full-back trained with the squad on Monday morning. Ancelotti explained at his press conference on Friday that the France international was not injured, but fatigued. He missed El Clásico against Barcelona as he had muscular discomfort in his abductor, which he picked up in the game against Mallorca. Mendy played 90 minutes away to Celta Vigo and against Chelsea in the 3-1 win.
Valverde is expected to start in midfield alongside Casemiro, Kroos and Modric, after his fine display at Stamford Bridge. Eder Militao will miss the game at the Bernabéu through suspension. The Brazilian centre-back was booked in the first leg for bringing down Kai Havertz and was then substituted after picking up a knock. The experienced and versatile Nacho will replace Militao as Madrid look to advance to the semi-finals.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea responded to their 3-1 defeat at home to Madrid by beating Southampton 6-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.
César Azpilicueta has recovered from coronavirus in time for the Champions League quarter-final second leg. Romelu Lukaku, who missed the win over Southampton due to an Achilles injury, will not be available for manager Thomas Tuchel.
Callum Hudson-Odoi remains sidelined with an Achilles injury and Ross Barkley is out due to illness.
Challenge for Chelsea
Tuchel expects his team to compete more than they did in first leg defeat in London.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges to perform as an away team at the Bernabeu. If you have to win by at least two goals, it is very difficult, almost impossible. We need to overperform,” he said.
“We never manage our input and effort by chances we have for a result, we never did and will not start tomorrow by giving less because it’s very unlikely we will make it.
“It’s unlikely, but we will try, we will play to our full limit. It’s a big night and a big match and we will try to be in better shape and in a better condition than in the first leg,” he added.