'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid have received a massive boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea. Los Blancos have confirmed the return of four key players for their tie against the Blues.
The returning players include Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, full-backs Ferland Mendy and Marcelo, and midfielder Federico Valverde.
With Real Madrid set to travel to London without Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, having three first-choice defenders back is a massive boost for Zinedine Zidane's team.
Real Madrid face a potentially season-defining tie against Chelsea
The Merengues manager has the good fortune or having talismanic captain Sergio Ramos available for selection for one of Los Blancos' biggest games this season. Ramos picked up a muscular injury, which forced him to sit out Real Madrid's quarter-final tie against Liverpool.
Los Blancos will also welcome left-back Ferland Mendy to their fold, after being out with a calf injury since mid-April. Zidane will now have at least one first-choice centre-back and left-back to pick from.
According to reports from football.london, both Mendy and Ramos trained during the weekend, ahead of Real Madrid's away leg against Chelsea.
Real Madrid also have Marcelo and Federico Valverde in their squad to face Chelsea. Marcelo did not miss the last few games due to injury. Marcelo missed the last few games after being summoned for election duty in Madrid
Federico Valverde's return will be a massive boost for Zidane. However, after quarantine and two subesequent negative tests, the central midfielder is available for the crunch tie against Chelsea. Valverde subsequently produced two negative tests, meaning he can participate in Real Madrid's second-leg game against Chelsea.
While Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are expected to start in midfield, Valverde is expected to be used as a high-impact super sub to inject pace and energy in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid go into the second leg knowing they have to score to have any chance of progressing to the competition's final. Chelsea already have an away goal to their name, thanks to Christian Pulisic's amazing solo goal in Madrid.
Chelsea know that even a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge would be enough for them to reach the third Champions League final in their history. Meanwhile, Real Madrid would seek a return to the competition final for the first time in three years since winning an unprecedented three-peat.
