An ex-Madridista feels Los Blancos’ pedigree in Europe’s premier club competition will come to their aid in the semi-final second-leg.
Nuri Sahin is expecting the upcoming encounter between Real Madrid and Chelsea to be an “open game” but is backing his former club to advance to the Champions League finals.
The first-leg meeting between the two sides at the Alfredo Di Stefano last week ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Christian Pulisic scoring a superb solo goal to give Chelsea the crucial away goal.
Real Madrid were missing a number of their key players and a couple of them, namely captain Sergio Ramos and left-back Ferland Mendy, are set to return in the second leg.
The Premier League side might have an advantage heading into Wednesday’s clash but the La Liga champions are no stranger to turn the seemingly impossible situations to their favor.
“I think it will be an open game, as it was in the first leg. I’m really looking forward to it. Both sides are in a good moment, I would say,” Sahin told Goal.
“Chelsea are playing really well under Thomas Tuchel, and tactically they play really different. They play maybe the best football tactically right now. You can see that they have a plan, with three at the back. I know the coach and he’s very good tactically.
“But on the other side, you have the boss of the Champions League in Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane! They are still in a good moment, even if people maybe don’t think they are as strong. I have my fingers crossed for them, and I think they can do it.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Nuri Sahin
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
