The Champions League returns with a bang tonight with Real Madrid hosting Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final – live on talkSPORT.
Incredibly, the last time these two sides met competitively was in 1998 and the Blues prevailed as they triumphed 1-0 in the UEFA Super Cup final.
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In fact, Real have faced Chelsea more often than any other side in all competitions without winning in their entire history. Before the 1998 defeat, they faced the west London club and failed to beat them over the two legs (drawing once and losing once).
That is why this match promises to be such an intriguing battle.
Thomas Tuchel’s men are in fine form having lost just one match since the German took over in January – the second leg of their quarter-final tie against Porto in the last round.
Domestically, the Blues are unbeaten and Tuchel has steered them from ninth to fourth in less than four months at the helm since taking charge following Frank Lampard’s dismissal.
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They face a side who are also in similarly good form, however.
Real were superb against Liverpool in the last round and are well in the midst of the battle for the LaLiga crown as they trail fierce rivals Barcelona by two points with five matches remaining.
It looks set to be a thrilling encounter, but what is the team news for the clash? talkSPORT.com has the all the details..
Real Madrid team news
Former Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard is finally fit after the latest in a litany of debilitating injuries in his two seasons at Madrid.
Hazard is an icon among Blues fans after seven glorious years in west London where he won two Premier League titles, among several other accolades.
And Zidane revealed the Belgium playmaker is finally unimpeded, just in time to take on his old club – though he is unlikely to be rushed into the starting XI.
“He played 20 minutes the other day and he felt quite good,” said Zidane.
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“The most important thing is that he doesn’t feel anything about his problem.
“He’s quite well, he’s with us, he’s happy to be with us and contribute to the team a lot.”
Real left-back Ferland Mendy is out, and captain Sergio Ramos remains unavailable but midfielder Toni Kroos is back after an injury.
Real Madrid XI
Chelsea team news
Chelsea’s former Real midfielder Mateo Kovacic is their only absentee with a muscle injury.
Tuchel is therefore likely to continue with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante as the ‘double sixes’, with three attackers ahead of him.
Thiago Silva will likely start in the back three over Andreas Christensen given his experience in the competition, with Cesar Azpilicueta returning to the right of the back three and Reece James replacing him as the wing-back on that side.
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Chelsea XI
You can follow the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Chelsea live on talkSPORT from 7pm
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