UCL: Kovacic in race to prove fitness for Real Madrid clash
Mateo Kovacic is set to convince Thomas Tuchel he can play a part in Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.
The midfielder has been in a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury – and suffered a setback in training last week.
Tuchel and Chelsea’s medical staff have been assessing his progress at the start of this week before making a final decision on whether to include him.
Thomas Tuchel says Mateo Kovacic won’t be fit to face Real Madrid:
🗣”It will be a very tight race for Kovacic. He had a little setback and felt something in not the same area but the same muscle as before. It’s very likely that he will not make it unfortunately.”#CFC|#CHERMA pic.twitter.com/kkfqm683vk
— ChelseaFCBlogs (@ChelseaFCBlogs_) May 3, 2021
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Toni Rudiger is expected to play, despite suffering a facial injury in the first leg but will likely have to wear a mask.
The Germany defender has been training in the protective-wear in a bid to get accustomed to it before Chelsea aim to book their place in the final in Istanbul later this month.