Wesley Fofana savaged by L’Equipe after Chelsea Champions League loss to Real Madrid
Wesley Fofana is ravaged by L’Equipe and given a 2/10 rating after being ‘tortured by Vinicius’ in Chelsea’s loss to Real Madrid, with Joao Felix being called a ‘failure’ and Ben Chilwell’s attacking threat ‘ didn’t exist’ before he was sent away
Wesley Fofana has been ravaged for his performance in Chelsea’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, with French newspaper L’Equipe comparing him unfavorably to Dayot Upamecano.
24 hours after the fumbled Bayern Munich defender was given a dismal 2/10 score following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, Fofana was given the same low score.
But he was far from alone, with Ben Chilwell only getting 3/10 after his sending off, the same score as the ineffective Joao Felix.
N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Raheem Sterling – plus interim manager Frank Lampard – took just 4/10 as defending champions Real put themselves in a strong position to make it to the semi-finals.
Goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio either side of Chilwell’s red card in the 59th minute for Rodrygo’s down as the Brazilian threatened to break away on goal.
Wesley Fofana is comforted by Frank Lampard after his 2/10 performance in Chelsea’s defeat
French newspaper L’Equipe said Fofana was ‘tortured’ by Vinicius Jr as he struggled to cope
L’Equipe are usually unforgiving in their player ratings and Wednesday night was no exception
L’Equipe’s typically scathing assessment of the Frenchman Fofana said “in proportions scarcely less than Upamecano the day before, he suffered all evening” and was “tortured” by Vinicius Jr.
The newspaper said that he ‘lost a large number of duels and balls’ and made a mistake on both goals.
Felix, who started with Sterling in a front two, was labeled a “failure” by L’Equipe, receiving “just crumbs” and “providing no support or depth.”
In the end, the Portuguese was withdrawn for Trevoh Chalobah shortly after Chilwell’s red card.
Chilwell ‘suffered defensively’ against Rodrygo and his ‘attacking contribution was non-existent’ despite being deployed at full-back with three centre-backs behind him.
However, L’Equipe says Marc Cucurella should share some of the blame for Chilwell’s red card after being caught out of position when Rodrygo ran through.
They say Kante started well in midfield but ‘went downhill fast’ and that it was only his fifth game of the season soon became apparent.
Ben Chilwell – who was given 3/10 – trudges away after being red carded for bringing down Rodrygo
Chilwell (left) walks off the field after being sent off for knocking the Brazilian down
L’Equipe was particularly scathing for Joao Felix, whose Chelsea loan spell was labeled a ‘failure’
It was a miserable night at the Bernabeu for Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard
Chelsea’s highest rated player was goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was awarded 6/10 on key saves.
Real’s numbers were understandably higher, with Federico Valverde their best player with 8/10.
Benzema, Vinicius, Toni Kroos, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois all received 7/10, but the judges were less enthusiastic about Rodrygo, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga, who received 5/10.
The second leg is next Tuesday at Stamford Bridge.
Karim Benzema celebrates after giving Real Madrid the lead with a shot from close range
Substitute Marco Asensio gave Madrid breathing space and a buffer with two goals
