“It would be a feat if Real could get City out of the race”

Stamford Bridge knows of nights of Champions who have shaken their stands from the heart of Fulham, West London. Around here Drogba’s stele still haunts the Bridge. The exterior of the stadium is adorned with iconic murals paying tribute to the club’s legendary players – such as Frank Lampard – who that night was supposed to try to solve the recent crisis of the blues, who have resigned from the fight for the Premier League many months ago, despite the multi-million dollar investment made in signings such as João Félix, Enzo Fernández and Mijailo Mudrik who have not managed to shine yet.

The entrance to the stadium, with the imposing Chelsea lion guarding the doors, reminds us that this stadium has been dedicated to football for more than a hundred years since it was acquired in 1904 by the Mears brothers to found the Chelsea Football Club. The blue stands in the middle of the almost always cloudy London, are divided between the Shed End, which is perhaps the most emblematic, with its steep terraces that create an intimidating environment for visiting teams; the East Stand which is the largest of the stands and houses some of the most luxurious corporate boxes in the stadium; while the south stand, also known as the Matthew Harding stand, is the one chosen by the bravest fans of the blues, who are not exactly as fervent and intimidating as those we have heard at Anfield for example.

The pitch is immaculate even if it rains. But the only deluge that night was the one that Rodrygo Goes had prepared. The stadium had 40,000 seats full, but the more than 1,600 Real Madrid fans parked in the Shed End relived another memorable night for Madrid, like the one in 2022 with Karim Benzema as the protagonist with a hat trick.

Madrid’s victory was never in question. It did not rain like in 2022 and, except for the occasional attack by Kai Havertz, a deflected shot from Kanté and a point-blank shot from Cucurella that Courtois ended up deflecting with our daily miracle; Madrid did not suffer. In fact, from the Shed End it seemed that if Madrid accelerated they would end up scoring. That’s how it was in Rodrygo’s ride in the first goal, but it became more evident when Federico Valverde accelerated in the second goal. Chelsea does not know victory in Lampard’s second adventure as coach and prowls in insignificance. Such a big club does not deserve to make a pilgrimage through so many paths of suffering.

Modric left Stamford Bridge applauded as he has done several times in many rival stadiums. If the renewal of the Croatian depended, even, on the rivals, it would already be signed. In this Champions League, Real Madrid has not yet had to use the epic, unlike the previous edition where it survived with gadgets more typical of necromancy. The best Benzema did not appear, nor was the best Vinicius Jr. needed. Madrid solved it ex officio. The only trauma that can cause regret is the third yellow card that Militao saw and that will make him miss the first leg of the semifinals that begin at the Santiago Bernabéu, and that is added to Alaba’s injury that would arrive against time perhaps at the final of the Copa del Rey, just days before the semifinals.

Rodrygo’s sentence caused the stands at Stamford Bridge to begin to empty. The Manchester City of archenemy Pep Guardiola awaits him, commanded by his new murderous duo: Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne, who have just destroyed Arteta’s Arsenal in a match that had no equivalences and seems to bring the citizens closer to the title of the premiere. It is very difficult to say that any team is a favorite against Real Madrid in the Champions League, but seeing the enormous pace that Guardiola’s team has towards the end of the season

Football romantics seem to want a Madrid final with some of the Milan teams. Ancelotti wants to see their faces with Milan. Night falls on the Bridge, and the corners of the Shed End cool down, there is no one left in the stands except the Madrid fans who never tire of singing while all the Madrid players parade applauding and thanking, led by Nacho Fernández. Stamford Bridge brings back very good memories for 2022 for the meringues. This is not the Chelsea that only two years ago lifted the Champions League, there is only a fleeting memory of that team. In England they want City to forever destroy the mythical idea of ​​Real Madrid unbeatable in the Champions League, most likely City is closer than ever.

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