58 1GM Tuesday April 27 2021 | the times the times | Tuesday April 27 2021 1GM 59 SportSport Champions League semi-finals SportSport Tuchel focused on creating his own history at Chelsea

JUSTUN SETTERFUELD/AFP/GETTY UMAGES Tom Roddy Rafa Benítez’s guide Pressure for Polar opposites Madrid to the semi-final The fact Real are in a worse position in La Liga after draws Former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager with Getafe and Real Betis will put prepare to square In the three months since Thomas more pressure on them to win the Tuchel became head coach at Stamford Champions League. They still Bridge and began guiding Chelsea to- have a chance in the league after wards success on three fronts, the prior- Atletico Madrid’s defeat by ity of winning over entertaining has Aggressive Tuchel Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, but off for first time been clear. Tonight Chelsea can take a Barcelona can go top if they win step closer to a first Champions League There has been a lot of focus on their game in hand. When I was a final since 2012 by beating Real Madrid, the number of clean sheets player in the academy at Real, I After years of rivalry loan at Istres in France’s amateur the competition’s specialists who Chelsea have kept under Thomas used to play for titles every single third tier. Tuchel believes can be overcome with a Tuchel and what this says about year and the pressure was no over French jersey, Giroud first entered Benzema’s style more pragmatic than pretty. his approach. People can be different when I was a manager orbit in November 2011 when he was “We need a top-level team perform- mistaken when they equate there. I like this pressure — every Giroud and Benzema awarded his France debut by Laurent ance when we fight with Real Madrid,” organisation with being defensive. game is a must-win. It is in your Blanc, having made a name for the German, 47, said. “Every match I They see a team with five DNA. Some of the young players finally do battle, writes himself with Tours and Montpellier. feel we can play at a very high level. If defenders and think that it is will feel this pressure — Vinícius Substituted shortly after Giroud had we are not able to play our nicest match Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid takes on Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in the negative, but that is not always and Rodrygo — but they also have Tom Williams made his entrance in the 59th minute we are able to not let the opponents second leg of their quarter-final at Anfield, which Real won 3-1 on aggregate the case. If you play five at the Karim Benzema and Thibaut of a friendly against the United States, play their best match, which is also a back and the two wing backs, Courtois. The former Chelsea here will be one French Benzema is said to have spent the goalkeeper is making great saves definition of performance — not to let Real Madrid v Chelsea a European Super League (ESL), the maybe Reece James or Ben striker on either side when remainder of the game loudly the opponents perform.” controversial breakaway plans of the Chilwell, are always high so at crucial times. Chelsea tackle Real Madrid mocking the debutant’s supposed It is a quality Real honed under Zin- Champions League semi-final, so-called “Dirty Dozen” led by the Real that they are effectively playing in the Champions League ungainliness from the Stade de édine Zidane too. In the nine years first leg. Kick-off 8pm, Estadio Alfredo president Florentino Pérez, of which as two wingers then that is not semi-finals tonight. One of France substitutes’ bench. Di Stefano TV BT Sport 2 Radio talkSPORT T since finally winning a first Champions Chelsea were a part, have cast a cloud defensive. Tuchel wants the team them is among the most talented After Giroud joined Arsenal and League, Chelsea have advanced past Referee Danny Makkelie (Holland) over the two clubs. to be aggressive, to go forward, to What do we mean footballers his country has produced Didier Deschamps succeeded Blanc the round of 16 only once, while Real Zidane was visibly irritated by con- press when they give the ball Familiar faces by intensity? and a serial trophy-winner with one as national coach, competition lifted Europe’s most prestigious trophy Real Madrid (probable; 4 3 3) tinual questions at his press conference away, so he is not defensive. I of the world’s biggest clubs. The other between the pair intensified. “The four times. Three of those triumphs yesterday in which it was suggested A lot of the players in this tie are is a perennial bench-warmer who has coach likes to play in a 4-3-3 or a 4-2- T Courtois think he is even more offensive When I talk about came during Zidane’s first stint as man- Real, who have yet to officially with- familiar and my staff and I are started only 34 league games over the 3-1, so at some point, it’ll either be because he is more aggressive. Chelsea needing to play ager, between 2016 and 2018, when draw from the ESL, could be excluded Playing three at the back can happy with our contribution in past four seasons. him or me,” Giroud told L’Équipe in Carvajal R Varane Militao Nacho with intensity against Real consistently found a way past from next year’s competition as punish- developing them. At Real, we But it is the latter, Chelsea’s Olivier September 2013. After being benched cause problems for teams who Real Madrid this does powerful opposition. ment. “It’s absurd to think we are not signed Mateo Kovacic and Giroud, rather than the former, Real’s in successive France games, with are not used to this. In the FA Cup not just mean running After the Chelsea owner Roman going to be in the Champions League brought Casemiro back from a Karim Benzema, who won the World Giroud starting on both occasions, L Modric Casemiro T Kroos semi-final, Manchester City played hard. Intensity can also Abramovich spent more than £200 mil- next year,” he said. loan spell; at Chelsea we gave Cup with France and remains the Benzema responded. “He has the 4-2-3-1 and so there was more come from passing. I see lion on players last summer, his club “Everyone has their own opinion and confidence to César Azpilicueta first-choice No 9. right to say what he wants,” he told space and a bit more time to a lot of teams passing the have emerged at the latter stages of the M Asensio K Benzema Vinicius that is not going to charge, therefore and helped him reach the Spanish There is a rivalry between Le Parisien. “I didn’t take it badly. But receive the ball, especially in wide ball 20 times at the back Champions League as a candidate once the only thing we can do is what we are national team. “Azpi” is a very Benzema, 33, and Giroud, 34, that has I wouldn’t have said that myself.” areas. Timo Werner was running these days, going from one side again. Abramovich’s ambition for going to do tomorrow. Everything else good professional and team-mate rumbled on for almost ten years. The During the 2014 World Cup Benzema in behind the City defenders as to the other. I don’t like this. Chelsea has always been a team that T Werner we don’t care about,” he said before and a very hard worker. He is also pair played together for France is said to have taken umbrage at we saw with the winning goal. Moving forward depends on the complements trophies with attractive swiftly exiting. very versatile and can play wing between 2011 and 2015, at which point being occasionally moved to the C Pulisic M Mount Chelsea found the game against right moment but when you keep football as a long-time admirer of Real’s Tuchel asked for the anger to be put back, full back, centre back in a Benzema’s international career was left to accommodate Giroud in a Brighton, when they drew 0-0, the ball it also has to be quick. arch-rivals Barcelona, but the decision B Chilwell N Kanté Jorginho C Azpilicueta to one side. “We deserve to be in the line of three. He can even play on abruptly put on hold after he was central role. difficult because they were The pace on the passes has to be to sack Frank Lampard in January semi-final, like Real Madrid deserve to the left when he is not left-footed accused of being part of a gang that Benzema won the last of his 81 caps playing a similar system and so high. Tempo can come from the meant Tuchel was tasked with deliver- be in the semi-final,” he said. “We don’t because he is focused on good had allegedly attempted to blackmail in October 2015, weeks before being A Rudiger T Silva A Christensen more or less every player had one speed of the pass. When you give ing immediate success. Winning is deserve it because of political decisions defending. He is an another France player, Mathieu arrested by French police E Mendy player in front of him. Then it the ball away, you have to try to most important right now and Tuchel, or because of influence or because of example for any player Valbuena, over a sex tape. Benzema, investigating the Valbuena case. His depends on individuals making regain it quickly. But that is a Champions League runner-up last size or because of nice shirts or because and, as a manager, you who denies the charge and is due to exile from international football has the difference and being very Lessons from different. If Chelsea move the ball year with Paris Saint-Germain, has Chelsea (probable; 3 4 2 1) of our logo. We deserve it because we can rely on him. I also stand trial in the case in October, has coincided with the most successful precise. Real Madrid have the quickly — and they have good already led Chelsea to an FA Cup final came a long way.” know about Jorginho, Liverpool not played for his country since. years of his club career. option to copy Brighton, although players who are able to do this — while staying on course for a Premier circumstances and playing against a big Two men who led Chelsea to glory in below. I signed him for Giroud has been the principal All the while, Giroud has prospered with some of their defenders then they can cause problems for League top-four finish. experienced team and a huge club in the past and will be reunited tonight are Napoli from Verona for It helps Chelsea that another beneficiary, having become a virtual with France — spearheading the back, like Dani Carvajal and Real. I am analysing a lot of His system of a back three with wing Europe like Real Madrid, maybe the Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. about €6 million (about English team played Real ever-present for France over the past team that reached the final of Euro Raphaël Varane, I think they will matches, along with my staff, to backs and two central midfielders has next step is to keep the level and not to Injuries mean Hazard, who won two £4.95 million at the time). He was Madrid in the last round, and six years, and Benzema has made no 2016 and winning the 2018 World play with a back four. People also see the evolution of modern provided an effective balance, papering overexpect us to take the next step. I Premier League and Europa League ti- playing very quickly, always with the fact Liverpool have a secret of the fact that he considers it Cup — despite his minutes with first ask why Chelsea have not scored games. It is very clear that over defensive cracks from the past, think we showed against Tottenham, tles apiece before leaving Chelsea in one or two touches, he has vision German manager too will give an affront. “You can’t compare Arsenal and then Chelsea drying up. too many goals — 27 in 21 games intensity is key and what the fans while his attack has taken their oppor- against Liverpool, in the knockouts 2019 for £100 million, has struggled to and his understanding of the Tuchel ideas. The game of karting with Formula One,” the It has made him an easy target for — under Tuchel. But this can be want to see is their team playing tunities in the big games. against Porto and Atletico [Madrid], find his form in Madrid. “He was a key game was very good. He links the Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp is Real striker remarked when Giroud’s Benzema’s supporters on social media. because they are attacking so quickly, creating chances and “We should not expect crazy things that we are capable of consistently pro- player for this club,” Tuchel said. “If he play very well because he is intensity, pressing in attack and name cropped up during an Eager to preserve harmony within his much that the other team defends being on top of the other team. from us but same again on the highest ducing high-level football. plays, I’m pretty sure he wants to make always in the right positions and defence and the game of Tuchel is Instagram Live video in March 2020. squad, Deschamps has never given with more bodies. Then you have When I was coaching in China, I level,” he said. “The good thing is we “Maybe there is a lack of experience a point, wants to prove a point.” gives solutions to his team-mates. similar. Tactically, they are “And I’m being kind.” any indication that he has considered to be very precise with your would always say: “Pace on the have had tough, tight matches and very in the semi-finals but we can compen- Tuchel has his own to make and, for He became an important player different — Liverpool play with a As people, the pair could scarcely recalling Benzema, but the issue finishing. pass, pace on the pass,” and then important matches together in the Pre- sate with hunger and enthusiasm.” now, he is more interested in creating for Napoli and can be a key player back four and Chelsea a back be more different: Benzema, the boy has not gone away. In a poll it depends on the players. At mier League and FA Cup, so we feel it is The safest prediction for this semi-fi- history at Chelsea than looking back on for Chelsea in midfield. There three — but the quarter-final from the tough Lyons suburb of Bron, conducted by L’Équipe this month, Chelsea’s positions v Man City Liverpool or Chelsea, it was easier a good time to play this match and we nal first leg would be a cautious it. “Hopefully we don’t overthink it, were questions about whether he games will offer some clues to who surrounds himself with rappers, readers voted for the Real striker in Chelsea largely sat deep but kept for me to get that. As a manager want to play hungry and be encounter as Chelsea and Real meet for hopefully we don’t overdo it,” he said. would cope with English football Tuchel on what Liverpool did gangsters and the shady characters their preferred France squad for Euro Timo Werner (No 11) and Hakim you are always learning. adventurous. the first time since the European Super “The challenge is to be ourselves, to be Ziyech (No 22) higher up the pitch because of his physicality and wrong and how to improve on drawn to football’s seedier fringes; 2020 alongside Giroud. “I strongly believe that sometimes Cup in 1998. Twenty-three years on and the best version of ourselves.” as attacking outlets maybe he is not the quickest. But that. Putting pressure on the Real Going direct Giroud, the beau gosse (“good-looking The forking of Benzema and midfielders so they cannot link speed lies in his thinking and that Direct attacks by semi- inalists: guy”) with the model’s cheekbones Giroud’s paths finds an echo in the is crucial in a Champions League with the strikers is one area. In the Attacks that start just inside a from a middle-class family in milestones that they are pursuing. semi-final. The right pass at the first game, it was also very clear team’s own half and where Grenoble. Benzema is a practising With 44 goals for France, Giroud ‘More matches will diminish quality’ that Real were playing the ball in right time can be the difference. movement is towards Muslim, Giroud a devout Catholic. needs only eight more to surpass behind the Liverpool defenders opposition goal As players, too, they are worlds Thierry Henry as his country’s all- for the pace of Vinícius Júnior. continued from back teams in the European Championship performances would fall. Ceferin has PSG 25 apart. Benzema was a teenage time leading scorer. Benzema, in the summer. More, more, more said that the changes have been driven That is something Chelsea must wonderkid, a player who seemed to meanwhile, is 22 goals shy of Bernard Chelsea 20 — known as the “first phase” — in games, not more quality. They push by owners of clubs and that fewer 11 22 watch out for. combine Zinédine Zidane’s sinewy Lacombe’s French record of 255 goals which all teams would play at least ten you to play more games and [yet] we games would mean less money for 19 Man City 16 elegance with the Brazilian Ronaldo’s in Europe’s five main leagues. Real Madrid 13 games against opponents of varying have three substitutes in the Premier coaches and players. He has also said 21 explosive dribbling and finishing Giroud sought to play down the strength. The top eight clubs in the League and domestic competitions.” Uefa would be willing to reconsider the 24 ability. Giroud is less refined: tall, furore over Benzema’s “karting” 5 7 Build-up attacks: Moves which table would then qualify for a knockout Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manag- proposals and is open to dropping the 2 contain ten or more passes slow, angular, a striker of deft touches remark, telling Téléfoot in an phase, while the 16 teams finishing er, and his Manchester City counter- Champions League positions that were 28 and economic movement. Their early interview last October that he felt “no 6 between ninth and 24th enter a play-off part, Pep Guardiola, have also attacked to be reserved for clubs based on their 8Tackles attempted by Casemiro Man City 68 career trajectories differed hard feelings”, but tomorrow’s game for the remaining eight places. Ceferin’s changes. Klopp described the historic record. for Real Madrid in their Real Madrid 38 spectacularly. At 21, Benzema joined in Madrid will bring the pair’s “We have so many new formats with reforms as a joke and criticised the lack Fan groups from outside the “big six” quarter-final first leg against Madrid in a €35 million (about relationship back under the spotlight. Direction Chelsea 37 the Nations League, the World Cham- of consultation with clubs, while had argued the plans lacked meritocra- 1 of play Liverpool, more than the PSG 22 £30 million) transfer, having already Somewhat surprisingly, they have pionship for clubs coming soon,” Guardiola compared the increase in cy as the changes would allow histori- Liverpool midfield combined (5) won four Ligue 1 titles with Lyons. At never faced off in a professional Tuchel said. “There’s so much new games to “an actor going on stage three cally successful clubs to qualify even if the same age, Giroud was released by match. But it is not the first time that stuff, so many more games and more times a day” as the quality of they finished outside the top six. Grenoble after spending a season on they find themselves in opposition.