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The big talking points ahead of Chelsea's Champions League tie with Real Madrid

:Headline: The big talking points ahead of Chelsea's Champions League tie with Real Madrid:
Mateo Kovacic has failed in his bid to shake off a hamstring problem in time to take on his former club Real.
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Chelsea will host Real Madrid on Wednesday night with a place in the Champions League final on the line.

Here, the PA news agency looks at the key talking points for the semi-final second leg.

Kante seeks to add Champions League to his trophy haul

Thomas Tuchel, back, hugs N'Golo Kante, front (Clive Mason/PA)

N'Golo Kante has won almost everything going in football – but the Champions League trophy continues to elude him. Now the 30-year-old France star is back to his best, and closing in on his best chance yet to win Europe's premier club competition. Premier League crowns with Leicester and Chelsea are already in the bag, and so too the World Cup with France. Kante even spurred the Blues to 2019 Europa League glory despite battling a knee problem throughout that 4-1 demolition of Arsenal in Baku. Kante can hardly add to his status in the game, but a Champions League title would certainly help.

Kovacic a big miss for Chelsea

Mateo Kovacic, pictured, will miss out for Chelsea through injury (Ian Walton/PA)

The luckless Mateo Kovacic has failed in his bid to shake off a hamstring problem in time to take on his former club Real. The Croatia star's absence will be keenly felt by the Blues, even despite the fine form of both Kante and Jorginho in defensive midfield. Boss Thomas Tuchel could easily have used all three men throughout this second leg in a bid to keep his Chelsea side razor sharp. But now the Blues must battle it out without one of the most reliable performers of an exceptional last few months.

Pulisic up against Chelsea's former number 10 Hazard

New Chelsea boss Tuchel has made no secret of the fact that Christian Pulisic taking on the Blues' number 10 shirt harbours all sorts of pressure and responsibility. Pulisic will go head-to-head with Chelsea's former number 10 again on Wednesday, as Eden Hazard makes an intriguing return to Stamford Bridge. Hazard's excellence in the coveted shirt certainly leaves Pulisic with a lot to live up to, but the USA forward has been back in top form in recent weeks. The stage will be set in west London for Chelsea's past and future to clash in the present.

Real sweating on Ramos

Real Madrid's defensive talisman Sergio Ramos missed the first leg that was drawn 1-1 through injury. The Spain stalwart is back in the Real squad for the Chelsea trip, but it remains to be seen whether the 35-year-old will be fit enough to start at Stamford Bridge. Real would most likely revert to their favoured 4-3-3 formation should Ramos start. And Blues boss Tuchel has already hinted that the best way to take on the abrasive centre-back could be through deploying Kai Havertz in the false nine role that has so suited the Germany forward in recent weeks.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
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