Chelsea

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to BT Sport: "We don't need a miracle or an over performance we just - "just" in quotes - need our top level and then I am sure we can compete with Real Madrid for the final.

"We want to impose our style of play, our intensity and our quality. We have proved in many different games we are capable of playing in a high level."

How are the nerves, Chelsea fans?

Would you sign up for a 0-0 now or do you need an away goal?

"We don't need a miracle," says Thomas Tuchel on BT Sport.

"We arrive here with a lot of confidence."

Quite right too.

Hmmmm.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has a good record against Real Madrid though. In fact he's played them more often without losing in the Champions League than against any other opponent (W1 D3) – in the competition’s history, the only other manager to face Los Blancos as many as four times without losing is Gérard Houllier (P4 W2 D2).

Richard Browne: Would think Real have over achieved more than Chelsea; Blues clear favourites over two legs.

Image source, Reuters

Thomas Tuchel, of course, took PSG to the final last year but his opposite number has an incredible Champions League record.

Zinedine Zidane won the trophy as a player - scoring one of the best goals in a final as well - and has won it three times as a manager.

Only Bob Paisley and Carlo Ancelotti can match that.

Does he get as much credit as he deserves?

Andros Townsend
Crystal Palace midfielder on 5 Live

Thomas Tuchel has been there before so the players know he is speaking from experience. It is a completely different side but they are full of quality and they've been almost faultless since he came in and they played one of the best sides in the world at the moment, in Man City, almost off the park in the FA Cup semi-final.

Dennis Ethan: I'm surprised Giroud is not starting for Chelsea tonight.

Chelsea are fourth favourites (of four) to win the Champions League this season but the pundits on TV and radio are backing them to reach the final here.

Thoughts?

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Chelsea have probably overachieved getting to this semi-final but that is credit to the manager and this group of players.

It is different tonight because it is not at the Bernabeu and there's not a load of fans so just go and express yourself. That's why he has picked this team - he has faith in this 11.

It is an opportunity, don't miss it. It might come again, but not for a couple of years. They have a great opportunity to go through.

Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea have only lost the first leg in one of their seven previous Champions League semi-finals (W2 D4), a 3-1 defeat to Monaco in 2003-04.

The first legs of their last six semi-finals – all in which they were unbeaten – have seen just four goals scored (three for, one conceded).

Again, the omens for goals are not great...

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mason Mount has been Chelsea's best player this season in my eyes - he has been outstanding. There are still a few doubters out there, but he is letting his feet doing the talking. He is only going to improve.

People can tell me that the Real Madrid side is ageing but that midfield can pick a pass as Liverpool found out.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're new to the party and wondering why this game is being played at Real's reserve ground, here's the current state of the Bernabeu.

You can certainly see why Florentino Perez is in need of a few euros.

Chelsea

Image source, EPA

Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy has conceded just two goals in his first nine Champions League appearances – the record for fewest goals conceded in a goalkeeper’s first 10 matches is two, set by Keylor Navas between 2014 and 2016 for Real Madrid.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, PA Media

It is good man management from Thomas Tuchel with Timo Werner. The goal at the weekend will give him confidence and momentum is key as a striker. It is a big opportunity for him and he can stretch the game which will open up space for the likes of Mason Mount.

Mount will be key for Chelsea - they need to get him time and space in the pockets and he can occupy the Real Madrid defence.

BBC Radio 5 Live

I forgot to say but you can now listen to the build-up on BBC Radio 5 live before full live comms from the broom cupboard.

Just press play at the top of your page.

Chelsea

Chelsea are set to play in their eighth Champions League semi-final, the most of any English club, while this is Real Madrid’s 14th semi-final - two more than any other side.

Andros Townsend
Crystal Palace midfielder on 5 Live

I'm a bit surprised that Kai Havertz has missed out - he has been in good form in the Premier League.

I liked what Timo Werner did at the weekend though, not only his goal, but the way he was always running in behind and stretching the game and hassling the West Ham backline.

Clinton Morrison
Former Crystal Palace striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is a massive game for Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel has done a brilliant job since coming in, but I think this first leg is going to be difficult. It is a big game and they'll want to keep it as tight as possible and get the result at Stamford Bridge.

I think it is just a brilliant achievement for Chelsea to get to the semi-finals - a couple of months ago if you said they'd be here people would be surprised.

Real Madrid
Real Madrid

Image source, Getty Images

On the one hand you could look at the Real Madrid squad and think, they're all cracking on a bit, there's a big rebuild needed. And soon.

On the other you look and see that Nacho, Casemiro, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal, Isco, Luka Modric, Karim Benzema, Marcelo and Toni Kroos have all won four Champions League medals.

All of those, apart from Isco, start tonight.

A WEALTH of experience.