Kanté and Jorginho Subdued Real Madrid in Semi-final

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Pulisic Struck on the 14th minute of the first half in the first leg of the champions league semi-final against Real Madrid and earned Chelsea an all-important away goal.

Chelsea's performance against Real Madrid on Tuesday's night was incredible, masterclass and worth emulation. They practically outplayed, outwitted, outnumbered and compelled Real Madrid to succumb to their match dictation.

Kanté and Jorginho had the better of Madrid's midfielders. The home side were lucky to get a draw against a well-organized, carefully galvanized and hugely composed English side. Tuchel has carefully reorganized, re-energized, rebranded, refocused and injected into Chelsea's players; the vaccines they needed to neutralize any team in the world. Statistically, they're the best team in this season's champions league contest.

The Blues were arguably the best on the pitch tonight. They largely dictated the affairs of the game in much part of the match in the first half. Had it not been for Timo Werner's lack of confidence and wasteful talent, Chelsea would have put the game to bed during the first.

As a pointed 9...you can't continue squandering all your chances. I think, Chelsea should find the right therapist for him, put him on sale or reposition him on the flank permanently and go in for a well manufactured, confident and consistent attacker. Timo is unarguably Chelsea fastest player, he knows how to play with the ball, he is incontestably creative... but unfortunately, he is largely inconsistent and lacks confidence. What Chelsea need is a deadly attacker, and definitely not a predestined flop like Timo. When it comes to the statistics of the player with the best misses this season, the guy is incontestable. He has done that on several occasions for his country and club's level. He has bulletproof points on that. Benzema's goal was beautiful, although he scored it through a defensive blunder. If Chelsea is to progress, then they should be aware of him.

When you get to the last four of Europe’s premier competition, you have to be supremely special and Christian Pulisic showed his supreme skill to get the better of Los Blancos. It was on 14 minutes at the quaint Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano that Pulisic struck.

Real Madrid had five men in defense and this was the 23rd different backline Zinedine Zidane had used so far this campaign. However, the Spanish giants could have had 50 men at the back and they still would have struggled to contain Christian Pulisic for Chelsea’s opening goal as the Blues’ netted a vital away strike as they drew 1-1 in Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final first leg N'Golo Kante was a big presence for Chelsea, covering every blade of grass as he so often does to hamper Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro and he upset their rhythm. This was a game that was poised, with both clubs knowing that they had to keep a tight grip on the tie at the halfway stage.

Chelsea went to Madrid and did what Liverpool couldn’t and avoided defeat, taking a vital away goal back home. This is a Blues side who are resilient and Real will be wary of the massive task awaiting them in the second leg. They took an important step towards European glory and can count themselves as favorites to reach the showpiece final but there is still a job to do. Congratulations Chelsea!!!

About the Write

Edward Amara

Edward Amara is an Associate Editor at The Global Africans. He covers sports, culture, social and political issues in and around Africa. Edward lives in Kenema City, Eastern Province in Sierra Leone, West Africa