Valery Kechinov, a former striker for Spartak Moscow and the Russian national team, offered analysis on Real Madrid’s victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. He highlighted that Real Madrid showed superiority across several measurable aspects, while Chelsea still faces unresolved issues that prevent a full-scale challenge. In Kechinov’s view, the London side entered the tie with limited odds of turning the tie around.
According to his assessment, Real Madrid dictated the tempo and demonstrated greater security and overall strength, both in squad balance and in on-pitch execution. He cautioned that Chelsea appeared to lack the atmosphere and cohesion required for competing at the highest level in such high-stakes matches. The impression was that Real Madrid was unlikely to relinquish the lead once it had been established.
Looking ahead to the return leg, the expert judged Chelsea’s chances as insufficient to alter the outcome. Real Madrid, he noted, is an experienced unit that does not surrender such advantages in major European competitions. The overall sense from the analysis is that the Spanish giants possess a clear edge as the tie moves to London.
In this round of the quarterfinals, Real Madrid secured a home win with goals attributed to Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio. The second leg is scheduled for April 18 in the English capital. In the other quarterfinal matches, Inter Meddled Benfica 2-0, Napoli were defeated 1-0 by Milan, and Manchester City defeated Bayern Munich 3-0.
Additional commentary from football circles referenced Napoli midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as no longer a hidden threat for opponents, underscoring the increasing attention he draws from rival teams and the need for continued vigilance as the competition advances.