Real Madrid wins over ten-ranked Chelsea – Effective Milan holds firm against Napoli: 1-0
We’ll call it a day here in Hilversum. Tomorrow we report back with two Dutch teams in action in Europe.
Feyenoord will play AS Roma at De Kuip in the quarterfinals of the Europa League and AZ will visit Anderlecht in the Conference League quarterfinals.
Napoli was better and even with ten men still had good chances for the equalizer. But Milan couldn’t care less, as Stefano Pioli’s team wins 1-0.
Next week is the return game in Naples. Chances are that another Italian friendly awaits in the semifinals. After all, Inter won 2-0 on Tuesday on visit to benfica.
RMA-CHE | 74′ Goal Real Madrid
Asensio is just inside the lines and immediately makes his mark for Real Madrid. The striker slides the ball in after a quick corner kick. What about Asensio again? Did he have Dutch roots?
Real Madrid – Chelsea 2-0
RMA-CHE | 21′ Goal Real Madrid
The first good chance for Real Madrid is a direct hit. Vinícius’ effort was saved by Kepa, but in the rebound Benzema, who else, tapped in.
Not long after, it is almost equal, but Sterling’s effort is very cleverly caught by Courtois.
Real Madrid – Chelsea 1-0
RMA-CHE | 15′ Chelsea starts well
Chelsea is running a dramatic season in the league and is now 11th. Against Real Madrid, however, it started the match just fine.
Via Félix gets a good chance very soon, but Courtois is able to save. After Chelsea’s good start, Real Madrid slowly takes over the initiative.
MIL-NAP | 2′ Great chance Napoli
An excellent start for Napoli, which almost takes the lead very soon.
The ball eventually comes to the feet of tastemaker Kvaratschelia, but his effort is cleared off the line.
MIL-NAP | Milan dealt sensitive blow
AC Milan dealt a sensitive blow to Napoli ten days ago. At Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Milan won 4-0 in Serie A.
It made little difference to the championship battle, by the way. Napoli’s lead over number two Lazio is 16 points. Milan is fourth, 22 points behind the leaders.
RMA-CHE | Recap of last year’s quarterfinals
Real Madrid and Chelsea also met last year in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Benzema then became the big man in the outward game. The Frenchman gave his team a very good starting point (1-3) in London with three goals.
At the Bernabéu, however, Real Madrid gave away that lead and eventually had to go into an extension. In that, Benzema still headed his team to the semifinals and Real Madrid eventually won the Champions League.
Struggling AZ has Karlsson back against Anderlecht: ‘Have missed him’
Jansen: ‘At the moment things are going more slowly in league, but no more than that’
AZ will visit a struggling Anderlecht on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Conference League. The Belgian team is ninth in the league, but even the Alkmaar team has had sand in its engine in recent weeks. However, coach Pascal Jansen is not worried.
“We focus on the things we are good at. And of course we do name where things are a little more difficult.”
A positive point is the return of Jesper Karlsson. The tastemaker was absent from the lost game against Sparta last weekend due to injury.
Jansen: “We missed him last weekend, but health of players always comes first. Now he is back with us and the last few days at training have gone well.”
Bijlow in Feyenoord squad for duel with Roma: ‘Whether he plays, you’ll see tomorrow’
Tonight plenty of Champions League soccer, but in the Netherlands we are especially looking forward to tomorrow. Feyenoord will play AS Roma in the Europa League and AZ will play Anderlecht in the Conference League.
Goalkeeper Justin Bijlow returns to the Feyenoord squad for the home game against AS Roma. The Oranje goalkeeper injured his wrist two months ago and has since been replaced by Timon Wellenreuther.
Whether Bijlow will actually play against Roma, coach Arne Slot left in the dark during a press conference.
“He has been training with us for a week or two, he is our first goalkeeper and will be back in the squad tomorrow. And then you can think about whether he will go goalie or not,” Slot said. “You could infer it from my statements, but you will see tomorrow.”
Slot hopes the Feyenoord supporters will behave against AS Roma.
Slot hopes fans behave against AS Roma: ‘Spotlight is on us’
