Seven Chelsea players, including Reece James, Thiago Silva, and Enzo Fernandez, stand to miss the second leg of tonight's decisive Champions League quarterfinal match against Real Madrid if they receive a yellow card.
The return leg of Chelsea and Real Madrid's thrilling Champions League quarterfinal matchup might be played without seven crucial players. Chelsea will travel to Real Madrid tonight for the first leg.
In his second season as the Blues' manager, Frank Lampard will be aiming to record his first victory. Graham Potter, who had only managed the team for 12 of the previous 31 games, was fired, and the former Chelsea great was named the club's interim manager until the end of the current campaign.
The team enters the contest following a 1-0 loss away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Matheus Nunes scoring the game's lone goal.
Chelsea defeated German team Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on aggregate to advance to the quarterfinals.
The English team needs to defeat Madrid in order to advance further in the competition. The first leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu later this evening.
Seven players could be suspended and miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge the following week, so Lampard may struggle with his lineup.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, the Blues' starting goalkeeper, is one of those who could be suspended for one game if he receives a yellow card tonight.
One booking separates Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Thiago Silva from suspension as well.
With a yellow card this evening, Enzo Fernandez is another player who might not be available for the second leg. The midfielder is anticipated to take the pitch first tonight against the Spanish powerhouses.
Since joining the club in January for a British record £107 million transfer from Benfica, the Argentine has proven to be a great acquisition for the team.
Another person who appears to be starting right away is James. This season, the defender has been a key member of the English team.
Every time the defender has missed a game, the team has suffered. It's safe to say that Lampard will be anxious about the Englishman if he is selected for the starting lineup.
Silva might miss the second leg, but it's unlikely that the Brazilian will get the ball rolling this evening. The centre back suffered a knee injury during the Blues' loss to Tottenham Hotspur in February and hasn't played since.
Recently, the defender gave Lampard's team encouragement by being spotted returning in practise before of the Madrid match.
After the quarterfinals are over, all yellow cards expire and are not carried over to the semifinals.
This evening at 8 p.m., the first leg of the match between Chelsea and Real Madrid will begin.
The second leg will be played the following week on Tuesday, April 18, with the game starting at 8 p.m.
