MADRID INJURY BOOST AHEAD FOR CHELSEA

Real Madrid have been handed a double injury boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash with Premier League outfit Chelsea following the news that Ferland Mendy and club skipper Sergio Ramos are fit for the game.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0dS5XVVoAMUPon.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E0dS5XVVoAMUPon.jpg

France international Mendy and Spanish player Ramos both travelled with the Real Madrid squad for the second leg of their last four tie with West London giants Chelsea. France player Mendy has been out of action for some weeks, while Ramos has not played since the March international break.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane could feature both France left-back Mendy and Spanish centre back Ramos from the start against the Blues with his team needing to score at least one goal to progress beyond the semi-finals and into the final at the end of the month. Real Madrid have to score against Chelsea in the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night after the home leg ended in a 1-1 draw last week.

American national team player Christian Pulisic scored the opening of the first leg in Madrid inside 15 minutes thus becoming the first United States player to find the back of the net in a Champions League last four tie. His goal was not enough to give visitors Chelsea a clear advantage for the second leg after France striker Karim Benzema equalised for the Spanish La Liga champions in the first half.

Real Madrid warmed up for the task at hand in London with a 2-0 home win over Osasuna in the league at the weekend. The Spanish champions scored two goals in the final quarter of the game thanks to the in-form Brazilian international player Eder Militao and his compatriot Casemiro. The victory ensured that the La Liga holders stay in touch with leaders Atletico Madrid at the summit as the four-team race for the La Liga title reaches the final lap.

Chelsea also won 2-0 in the league at the weekend at the expense of Fulham in their West London Derby clash thanks to the brace from Kai Havertz. The German scored a goal in each against the Cottagers to win the game for his team.