Chelsea: Tuchel to go all out for win in second leg
Chelsea must not be wasteful in front of goal in order to overcome Real Madrid in tonight's Champions League semi-final, according to former Blues midfielder Craig Burley. Chelsea and Real are level at 1-1 heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. The winner will play Manchester City in the final in Istanbul on May 29.
Chelsea dominated the early stages of the first leg last week and grabbed an early away goal through Christian Pulisic.
But Thomas Tuchel's side failed to make their domination count and Karim Benzema's equaliser means the tie is evenly poised heading to west London.
Burley says Chelsea's lack of ruthlessness in front of goal is a "big problem" and believes that is the only thing that could let them down tonight.
"I think that's the only way I can see Real Madrid going through, if Chelsea are wasteful in front of goal and don't take their chances," Burley told ESPN FC.
Chelsea news: Craig Burley says the Blues' lack of ruthlessness could hurt them (Image: GETTY)
"Because I think they'll create enough to win this game.
"They have already shown time and time again under this manager that they're a super tough nut to crack defensively, albeit they went down to 10 men against West Brom and got hammered - that's an anomaly.
"In general, very difficult to beat. The big problem is they control a lot of games and they don't take their chances.
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Chelsea news: The Blues are aiming to win their second Champions League trophy (Image: EXPRESS)
"Any formation has its strengths and its weaknesses. As I’m not sure what formation they will use, we will fully focus on us and our performance.
"It’s always a little tactical, but for me in these big games, it’s about the little decisions, the individual tactical behaviour, the tactical behaviour within groups and combinations.
"Can we maybe isolate Real Madrid in a two against two, a two against one? And how do we solve these situations? And can we avoid being isolated in these little situations?
"In the end, in a semi-final in the Champions League, it’s not about formation or what we play. It’s about how we play, the intensity we have, the belief we have, are we brave enough and do we play on our top level within the formation."