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 Thomas Tuchel’s men first hosting the La Liga leaders at Stamford Bridge before heading to the Bernabeu in the two-leg knockout tie.
Given EU and UK sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich, it is likely that Chelsea may have to play the first leg behind closed doors as they won’t be able to sell tickets to either their home fans or those traveling from the Spanish capital.
For the return 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.
🏴 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.