As Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League semi-finals, midfielder Luka Modric described Chelsea as his “toughest opponent.”
Despite a valiant effort from the Blues and a win on the night at the Santiago Bernabeu, the La Liga giants won the two ties 5-4 on aggregate.
Chelsea has been eliminated from the competition at the final eight stage, and their European title defense is now over.
Modric made a bold claim about the Blues when speaking to the media after the game
According to Madrid Xtra, as he faced them for the second time in two seasons in the Champions League.
“Chelsea has been my most difficult opponent.”
“Chelsea scored three good goals, the first of which may have been a fortunate deflection. They created opportunities and capitalized on them.”
He also expressed his thoughts on the game, saying:
Despite being 3-1 down on aggregate after the first leg, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea put in a strong performance away from home.
Mason Mount scored the game’s first goal in the first half, curling past Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
At the start of the second half, Antonio Rudiger made it 2-0 before Marcos Alonso’s fine strike into the top corner was ruled out for handball by VAR.
Timo Werner, on the other hand, was on hand to make it three with a composed finish from inside the box, a goal that would have seen his side progress to the semi-finals.
Despite the goal, substitute Rodrygo was able to fire past Edouard Mendy from Modric’s superb ball, and Karim Benzema then headed home in extra time to send his side through to the last four