Chelsea learn Champions League quarterfinal fate amid sanctions turmoil

The competition’s defending champions will face Real Madrid in the next round

Chelsea will face record 13-time winners Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals as the London club’s defense of their title continues. 

The draw for the elite continental club competition’s next fixtures was made on Friday, with it originally thought that Thomas Tuchel’s men would host the first leg.

However Real Madrid and cross-city rivals Atletico Madrid, who will meet Manchester City, can’t both play at home in the first leg so a UEFA ruling determined that Atletico, as La Liga champions, will go to the Etihad initially.

Chelsea will therefore battle Real Madrid at the Bernabeu first off on April 6 prior to the decider at Stamford Bridge six days later on April 13.

Given EU and UK sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich, it is likely that Chelsea may have to play their home leg behind closed doors as they won’t be able to sell tickets to either their own fans or those traveling from the Spanish capital.

For the away leg, Chelsea will also have to operate on a strict travel budget as part of their special license to continue playing matches due to Abramovich’s assets being frozen, and traveling support might also be absent.  

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿󠁧 󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Chelsea vs Real Madrid 🇪🇸 #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/lqpK8f1GPQ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 18, 2022

Reigning champions Chelsea reached the quarter-finals by seeing off last season’s Ligue 1 winners Lille 4-1 on aggregate.

First beating the French side 2-0 at home, they then topped them again 2-1 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday thanks to goals from Christian Pulisic and captain Cesar Azpilicueta either side of the half-time whistle.

Chelsea are currently riding a five-game win streak and look to advance in the FA Cup on Saturday where they face Middlesbrough away. Following the international break, they will host Brentford in the Premier League prior to the first installment of the Real Madrid clash.