Chelsea would be in the Champions League semi finals right now but for the sheer weight of history and tradition.
This is not a jibe at how Chelsea have achieved their success. It’s an acknowledgement of the intangible forces at play in football.
Those intangible forces, or soft factors, annoy people because they can’t be measured. There is no expected historical context statistic. No scouting that can prepare you for the emotion of a game, for a sense of destiny.
These fantastical elements are undoubtedly at play though, as we saw on Tuesday night at the Bernabeu.
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Chelsea would have completed one of the most incredible comebacks in Champions League history were it not for Karim Benzema. Had they not been playing against Real Madrid; the only team capable of making European history even when the sky is falling down.
The most successful team in the history of the competition continues to fulfill their own prophecy. Even with Benzema and Modric in the winter of their careers, even with the club in dire financial straits. Even when Chelsea were 3 – 0 ( 4 – 3) ahead with 15 minutes left in the game.
Somehow, Real Madrid always finds a way in the Champions League. How many times have they been having a poor season only to end it by winning the biggest trophy of them all? How many times have they been on course to lose only to pull a rabbit out of the hat?
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This year, they are comfortably ahead in 1st place in La Liga and can mount a Champions League assault in earnest. As well as that, they have found a talisman in Benzema who has waited a decade for his chance to shine.
All the talk is about Manchester City and Liverpool, but don’t underestimate Real Madrid. This year could be the story of Karim Benzema if the stars once again align for the Spanish giants. As they tend to do.
