UEFA Champions League: How Chelsea could line up against Real Madrid

Chelsea will go to the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium without ex-Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final with Los Blancos.

Thomas Tuchel has effectively ruled out the Croatian out of Tuesday’s tie with a thigh issue, but Chelsea have no new injury worries from their thin success over West Ham United.

Mateo Kovacic’s absence will see Jorginho and N’Golo Kante to man the midfield once again, while Ben Chilwell makes certain to keep his place on the left subsequent to setting up Timo Werner for the goal that sealed the victory at the London Stadium.

There could be a change on the right, however, as Cesar Azpilicueta is probably going to move once more into the core of defence, permitting Reece James to bomb down the flanks.

James ought to be supporting two familiar faces in Mason Mount and Werner up top, but Kai Havertz is vieing for a place over Christian Pulisic, and it is a battle that the German may win.

Thiago Silva played for 90 minutes against West Ham unscathed, so the veteran defender should join Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger in the back three as Andreas Christensen exits.

Edouard Mendy has reclaimed his rightful spot in goal over Kepa Arrizabalaga, and he will would like to equal Keylor Navas’ record of the least goals conceded in his initial 10 Champions League matches, having chipped only two goals in nine up until this point.

Chelsea conceivable starting line up:

Mendy; Silva, Azpilicueta, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Mount; Werner; Havertz