Real Madrid
Real Madrid

Chelsea will need to overcome a two-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge in six days, after being humiliated by Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The holders defeated the Blues 2-0 at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal. Karim Benzema’s goal gave Frank Lampard’s team a 1-0 deficit at the half after they had been thoroughly outplayed in the opening period.

The Premier League side’s situation didn’t improve much in the second half as Marco Asensio scored after coming off the bench. While Real Madrid fans rejoiced their team’s dominating win, a Carlo Ancelotti masterclass didn’t go unnoticed. Both of the Los Blancos’ goals came from Chelsea’s right flank, where their star defender Reece james was plummeted by Ancelotti’s wingers.

Real Madrid
Chelsea’s Reece James had trouble all night marking Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr who was on an electrifying form. Credits: twitter

Fans, pundits slam Reece James for humble showing in Real Madrid defeat

Real Madrid ripped Lampard’s team to pieces in the opening period, during which time the home team had 60% of the possession and eight shots on goal. Vinicius almost doubled Real’s lead after Benzema’s opener when he took apart Wesley Fofana and dinked the ball over Arrizabalaga. Thiago Silva, who has returned from a knee injury, made an outstanding clearance to save the blushes, at least for the moment.

However, fans and pundits picked out Reece James for his lifeless performance at the Bernabeu. Vinicius was strolling through the right-back’s area throughout the game, which paralyzed Chelsea’s right flank. To evidence James’ embarrassing outing, both the Real Madrid goals came from his flank. First, Vinicius Jr set up Benzema when he received a perfectly chipped ball from Carvajal in the box.

Marco Asensio then added second late in the second half in what could be described as a training ground goal. A quickly taken corner from Luka Modric found Toni Kroos outside the penalty area, who slipped the ball to Vinicius waiting inside the box. The Brazilian then laid it on the plate for Asensio to slam home the second from outside of the penalty area. Reece James was caught napping here as well, since that was the case throughout the 90 minutes.

The Chelsea full-back “got no mercy” as Real surged at him, both when he had possession of the ball himself and when a winger took him on. Carlo Ancelotti was hailed for his brutal tactics, with fans noting:

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand stated Vinicius had “no respect” for James, while Glen Hoddle blamed the Chelsea youngster for Real Madrid’s second goal of the night. Hoddle said:

“Look at Reece James, he turns his back (for the second goal). The ball is being played, you are down to 10 men. Someone has to switch them on and demanding they are on. They switched off. They were a man down. You have one man less. You have to readjust. Someone has to move out to the edge of the box. You’ve got players turning their back, walking towards the post, turning his back on the play when the ball is played. You can’t have that.”

Ferdinand added:

“Vinicius Junior showed no respect to Reece James tonight. Whenever Vini had the ball, he went straight at James. He will do the same at the Stamford Bridge. He and Rodrygo play wide and high.”