Former Chelsea keeper Robert Green says his old team let Real Madrid off the hook after they crashed out of the Champions League after a chaotic night at Santiago Bernabeu.
Chelsea’s reign as European champions looked all but over after last week’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, but a mixture of spirit and ingenuity saw Tuchel’s side drag themselves back into the contest.
Goals from Mason Mount and Rudiger levelled the tie and Chelsea were within 15 minutes of the last four when Timo Werner justified his selection with what looked to be the decisive goal of the tie.
Mistakes in possession and individual quality, however, saw Real claw their way back with Rodrygo sending a pulsating contest to extra-time where Karim Benzema pounced to head home his 38th goal of a superb personal campaign.
Green felt Chelsea were comfortably the better team, however, and would be left to rue the mistakes that cost them the chance to take a step closer to defending their crown.
‘It really has been a wonderful effort from Chelsea. They have made a real game of it,’ Green told the BBC. ‘Real Madrid have got away with one tonight. A moment of brilliance from Modric gave them the lifeline.
‘Chelsea invested so much in the game. Tuchel said we have to invest so much and they did.
‘They put hearts and souls into this game. Real Madrid looked lost. They looked like they didn’t have a clue, like they were short of confidence.
‘But they have players who produce moments. Today it was Modric, Courtois and Benzema.’
