Joao Felix slammed for his ‘forgettable’ display in Chelsea’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid

Joao Felix has been slammed in the Spanish press for his ‘forgettable’ performance in Chelsea’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

The Blues suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu after goals from Karim Benzema and substitute Marco Asensio, while Ben Chilwell also received a straight red card for Frank Lampard’s side.

However, the game could have turned out so differently if Felix scored a golden opportunity in the second minute of the game.

There had been a lot of talk about the Portuguese player before the match, with suggestions that he would try to prove a point on his return to Spain as he is on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Marca, have described Felix’s performance as ‘forgettable’ on their homepage, while also dedicate an article to it how things didn’t go as planned for the 23-year-old.

The game could have turned out differently if Felix had scored his golden opportunity within the first two minutes when he broke through on goal but shot straight at Thibaut Courtois

Marca described Felix’s performance as “forgettable” on their website, while celebrating a photo of Karim Benzema with Vinicius Jr. on the front page of their newspaper.

They also said Real Madrid’s victory “shows once again that football is a team game rather than about one person.”

They said Felix returned to the Santiago Bernabeu as one of Chelsea’s main assets “to surprise Real Madrid”.

The Spanish publication went on to mention the chance Felix had within the first two minutes when N’Golo Kante put him on goal with a brilliant pass from his own half.

However, Real Madrid defender Eder Militao overtook Felix, forced him wide and forced the playmaker into a tame effort straight at Thibaut Courtois, who parried the Belgian keeper for a corner kick.

Felix also got another shot before the break, which was blocked by Dani Carvajal.

Marca continues: ‘The Portuguese tried to play between the lines, but was always well covered by the Madrid defense.

AS Sport gave particular praise to Vinicius Jr, describing him as Chelsea’s ‘nightmare’

Militao was one of the players who kept him at bay. With Benzema’s goal, Felix was disappearing, so his participation in the second half was discreet.’

Felix would be sent off after 65 minutes as Lampard had to change his plans after Chilwell’s red card.

The front page of Marca’s newspaper featured an image of Benzema celebrating with Vinicius Jr, next to the caption: ‘Benzema and Asensio are leading the way to the semi-finals.

Courtois evades the equalizer for White’s second goal. Stamford Bridge will decide on Tuesday.’

AS Sport headlined ‘a giant step’ and described Vinicius as Chelsea’s ‘nightmare’.

In France, L’Equipe gave Felix only a 3 out of 10 – with only teammate Wesley Fofana getting a lower score with 2.

Felix was taken off after 65 minutes by Frank Lampard after sending off Ben Chilwell

Lampard believes Chelsea can still get a result by describing ‘Stamford Bridge as a special place’

While the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo said on their front page that Real Madrid were ‘with one leg in the semi-finals’.

Given the sending-off, the result could have been much worse for Chelsea, although recent form indicates it will be a huge uphill task for them to reach the semi-finals.

However, Lampard has insisted that ‘special things can happen at Stamford Bridge’.

The Chelsea boss said after the game: ‘We have to believe it. The door is open and it’s up to us whether we want to kick it open further or not’.

Felix has made 13 appearances since joining The Blues on loan in January, scoring two goals.