Luka Modric reveals Chelsea is the most difficult team to play against

• Chelsea defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in Santiago Bernabeau although it was not enough to knock the La Liga side out of the Champions League
• After losing 3-1 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, the result meant Chelsea lost the tie 5-4 to Madrid
• Luka Modric, a Real Madrid midfielder spoke after the match saying Chelsea is the most difficult opponent to play against

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has revealed that Chelsea is ‘the most difficult team to play against’ following Real Madrid’s 5-4 aggregate Champions League triumph over the Blues.

Los Blancos beat Thomas Tuchel’s side 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their quarter-final last week courtesy of a Karim Benzema hat-trick. However, Chelsea went 3-0 up in the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, before substitute Rodrygo came off the bench to send the tie to extra-time and Benzema struck the winner in the 96th minute.

Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Modric – who assisted Rodrygo’s crucial leveller – praised manager Carlo Ancelotti’s substitutions that helped swing a game that was heading away from Real back in their favour, hailing Chelsea as ‘the most difficult team to play against.

“I think [Ancelotti] did great changes. They did well, they had a great impact on the game,” Modric said.

“Certainly in this competition, experience is important. I think today it helped us a bit.

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric was spotted celebrating after the final whistle despite losing 3-2 on the night against Chelsea. | PHOTO: Getty Images |

“But we knew after the first game it would be a tough game. For me, they are the most difficult team to play against.

“I watch them a lot because of my friend Mateo [Kovacic], they are a very tough and physical team, very compact, and we knew it would be tough. But in the end, we showed again great character, desire, and togetherness and we managed to turn it around. It is amazing, it is very sweet.”

Chelsea came into the match with a spirit to fight and they were rewarded just 15 minutes after kick-off when Mason Mount scored emphatically to breathe some life in to the Blues, Timo Werner was on target next to put Chelsea two goals up and equalise the aggregate before Rudiger, who was one of the best players on the pitch at the Bernabeau made it 3-0 for the visitors.

Real Madrid will now face the winner in the clash between Manchester City and Atletico Madrid who play the second leg at Madrid later on today on Wednesday, April 13. Manchester City head into the match with a 1-0 lead after the victory in the reverse fixture last Tuesday at Etihad.

Chelsea on their hand have another trophy to battle for at the weekend when they play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday at Wembley.