Chelsea striker Timo Werner pleased to make up for his semi-final first-leg miss with a goal in team’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid; propels Blues into first final since 2012
Chelsea’s Timo Werner (left) celebrates with teammates Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell (right) after scoring against Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. pic/Getty Images
Timo Werner admitted he was relieved to redeem himself with a goal against Real Madrid which helped put Chelsea into the Champions League final against English Premier League rivals Manchester City on May 29.
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28th min: Chelsea’s Timo Werner heads the ball into the Real Madrid goal after Kai Havertz’s attempt rebounds off the crossbar. Pic/AFP
Having missed a sitter when the semi-final first leg finished in a 1-1 draw in Madrid, Werner made amends in the return on Wednesday with the opening goal in a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge which put the Blues into the final with a 3-1 win on aggregate.
Goals from Werner and Mason Mount booked Chelsea’s first final appearance since they won the competition for the only time in 2012.
Chelsea’s 3-1 aggregate victory was well deserved as they produced a commanding display in the semi-final second leg at home, stifling Real’s sporadic attacks and repeatedly hitting them on the counter.
Dominant hosts
“We were the dominant team for two games. That’s why I’m glad I was able to make up for my mistake like this,” Werner, 25, told Sky.
85th min: Chelsea’s Mason Mount (jersey no. 19) scores from a Christian Pulisic cross in Real’s penalty area. Pic/Getty Images
“A childhood dream for everyone in the dressing room has come true,” he added.
After a season blighted by a litany of high-profile misses, Werner was widely criticised after the first leg when his close-range effort was saved in Madrid.
“In the first leg I was the fool because I didn’t get the ball in from five metres,” the Germany striker added.
‘Easy goal’
“I put this one away from five metres, even though it was a bit easier as there was no goalkeeper. It would have been bad if I hadn’t finished that one either.”
He gave Chelsea the first-half lead when Kai Havertz’s chip rebounded off the bar, presenting Werner with an easy header into an empty net just short of the line.
Werner’s 12th goal for Chelsea was only his second in his last 18 games since signing from RB Leipzig last year.
12
No. of goals Timo Werner has scored for Chelsea this season
One
Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel is the first manager in the UCL history to reach consecutive finals with two different clubs (PSG, 2019-20)