Agencies

Chelsea welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge tonight still with much to do to reach the Champions League final after failing to land the killer blow when the 13-time European champions were on the ropes in last week’s first leg.

A 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital still gives the Blues the upper hand thanks to their away goal, but Thomas Tuchel’s men could have had a much more convincing advantage but for a tale of two strikers.

Tuchel’s men are looking to reach the biggest game in European club football for the third time, and hoping to replicate their 2012 success, when a mid-season change of manager proved a catalyst for European glory.

Real, meanwhile, are seeking a remarkable 14th title, which would mean they had won the trophy twice as many times as any other club in Europe, with AC Milan boasting seven wins. Real cannot rely on their resilient, albeit depleted defence to pave a way to the Champions League final, as they simply have to go for goals at Stamford Bridge in order to book their spot in the showpiece event.

Such a strategy could leave Zidane’s men vulnerable to Chelsea’s pace on the counter attack, and the Blues are not so bad at defending themselves, so there can envisage a narrow success for Tuchel’s crop as they prepare to make the journey to Istanbul.

The visitors are set to be bolstered by the return of Sergio Ramos and Ferland Mendy, and Eden Hazard could also start after making an appearance off the bench in the first leg. Real Madrid unexpectedly lined up in a 3-5-2 formation for their home leg, but with his squad close to retaining full strength, Zinedine Zidane may be inclined to field their habitual 4-3-3 setup.