After having embodied this iron Chelsea so much, he delivered the marshmallow version of it yesterday. The gag goal conceded by Édouard Mendy on returning from the locker room says it all about the poor defensive pass of the Blues, already beaten 4-1 by Brentford this weekend. A too short pass from the Senegalese goalkeeper for Rüdiger pressed by Benzema, a skilful counter from the French and that’s how Real Madrid nipped the English revolt in the bud (3-1, 46th), leaving their own goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to do the work finished. Freshly welcomed by his former audience, the Belgian signed the stoppage of the evening with a splendid parade opposite hand to deflect a long shot from Azpilicueta which spun in the skylight (50th).
A somewhat cruel scenario for Mendy, totally helpless on the first two Spanish goals. Two headers placed out of reach by the Madrid center-forward, who had created a void around him by his placement and his sense of the game (21st, 24th). The former Rennais had kept his team in the match by winning a face-to-face with Carvajal (33rd) but he too was therefore going to sink. To believe that the incredible efficiency of Benzema had the gift of spreading panic among his opponents, almost a month after his ball stolen (and disputed) from Donnarumma which tipped the round of 16 against PSG (3-1 ).
Mendy confirms he’s not having the best time of his London adventure. He who has taken a prominent place in the honors accumulated in a year and a half (Champions League, European Super Cup, Club World Cup, Cup final) and is considered one of the best specialists in the Premier League – and of the world – seems to have suffered a backlash since his victory at the CAN, after which he continued. As against Brentford, we felt he was sometimes feverish yesterday, especially in his pressure reminders (73rd). The sign may also be of a somewhat disturbed defense lately (Alonso’s injury, Azpilicueta established on the left), not to mention the tensions due to the war in Ukraine. Next Tuesday, to believe in the feat, Chelsea will have to score. And rediscover its brazen virtues.
