Rodrygo on Tuesday scored twice as Real Madrid cruised into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, completing an emphatic 4-0 aggregate win against Chelsea, ending a disastrous season for the London club, while AC Milan advanced after a 1-1 draw at SSC Napoli.
At Stamford Bridge, the home team, with Frank Lampard back in the dugout for a second spell, came into the match with form and history against them.
They started brightly, but rued a number of huge missed chances that would have heaped pressure on the defending champions.
Photo: Reuters
The Spanish giants made Chelsea pay for their profligacy when Rodrygo scored in the 58th minute after a speedy counterattack and he made it 2-0 with 10 minutes to go.
“We suffered a lot and helped us stay at 0-0 at the end of the first half,” Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti told BT Sport. “Second half, we were much better and scored the two goals. We are happy to have qualified.”
Chelsea, the 2020-2021 champions, have lost all four of their matches since Lampard returned to the club as caretaker boss earlier this month in place of the sacked Graham Potter.
Lampard, who also managed the club from 2019 until early 2021, bemoaned his team’s profligacy.
“We played really well for 60 minutes,” he said. “We created chances, but you have to take them.”
The former Chelsea midfielder said his men must find motivation from playing for the club as they contemplate a bleak final few weeks of the season.
“You’re playing for Chelsea,” he said. “So regardless, every game you play, you have to give everything. I won’t let anyone off the hook and we have to show. That standard cannot drop.”
Trophyless this season, they are languishing in 11th in the Premier League and look unlikely to qualify for European soccer next season.
In Naples, Olivier Giroud tapped in what turned out to be the decisive goal two minutes before the break after a blistering run from Rafael Leao, who was once again key as Milan beat Napoli for the third time this month.
The France striker’s 13th goal of the season saved his blushes after he missed a penalty midway through the first half.
Stefano Pioli’s side now have the prospect of a local derby in the last four as Inter hold a two-goal lead ahead of their second leg with SL Benfica.
“I’m very proud of this team, with that spirit we can dream of anything,” Giroud told Mediaset.
“In the next round there will be another hard match whether it’s against Inter or Benfica, but if we keep this spirit we can go anywhere,” he said.
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