A 1-1 draw puts Chelsea in a strong position for the return leg, but manager Tuchel is left to ponder what could have been.
Chelsea took a crucial step towards their third Champions League final with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the semi-final first leg at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano. While the result is a decent one, especially considering the away goal rule, manager Thomas Tuchel may feel his team should have done more, given the chances they created.
Chelsea took the lead early on in the 14th minute through Christian Pulisic, who showed skill and composure to round goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and score past two defenders on the line. The move started with Antonio Rüdiger, who played a clever pass to Pulisic, allowing the American to break free of Madrid’s defence.
However, the lead was short-lived as Real Madrid equalized through Karim Benzema, who responded with a sensational finish after Chelsea was caught on a corner. Despite being under pressure towards the end of the game, Chelsea’s defense held firm, but they will rue the fact that they didn’t secure a more commanding lead.
The draw leaves Chelsea with a slight advantage heading into the second leg, as they return to London with an away goal. Tuchel’s men will need to build on their strong performance and make the most of their opportunities when they play at Stamford Bridge next week.
