Chelsea duo Edouard Mendy and Antonio Rudiger were singled out by Joe Cole and Steve McManaman for their costly mix-up that gifted Karim Benzema his Hat trick.
Édouard Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger made a horrendous defensive mix-up, allowing Karim Benzema to tap in.
Mendy received the ball outside his penalty area and attempted to pass to Antonio Rudiger in a sideways motion. Benzema was able to put pressure on Rudiger since he miskicked his pass to him. After a clumsy tackle from the German, Benzema was able to roll the ball into an open net.
What did they say?
Speaking on BT Sport after the game the former Chelsea player said:
‘The next goal in the tie is crucial. It’s a huge ask to go to Spain and overturn a 3-1 deficit.
‘Tuchel changed it at half-time, went to a back four, and looked a lot brighter and sharper. One thing you can’t account for is individual mistakes.
‘Rudiger and Mendy got it wrong.
‘Benzema, outstanding and gives them a good advantage next week. The tie isn’t over though.’
Steve McManaman also thinks the error is unpardonable and Chelsea could have avoided it
‘Sometimes it’s not the teams that score the most goals, it’s the team that makes the least amount of mistakes that win competitions,’ he said.
‘Madrid was fantastic tonight, experienced, superstar center forward. In these tight games, one mistake or a sending-off can change the narrative of the whole game.
‘What was 2-1 and a difficult second half for Madrid, became a really easy one in the end. Chelsea didn’t give themselves a chance.
‘The fact Madrid have scored three and Benzema should’ve had more says it all. Very unlike Chelsea to make that many errors.
