Kepa Arrizabalaga says Chelsea don’t need ‘performance of our lives’ against Real Madrid

Despite needing to overcome a two-goal deficit to make the semifinal of the UEFA Champions League, Kepa Arizabalag says Chelsea don’t need to display the ‘performance of our lives’ against Real Madrid.

The Blues suffered a 0-2 loss against Los Blancos when they took to the Santiago Bernabeu last week with Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio getting on the scoresheet in the first leg of the quarterfinal tie.

The Champions League defeat was followed by another loss to Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend when they threw away a one-goal lead to lose 1-2 at home.

With three losses in his first three games since his re-appointment, Frank Lampard is facing huge criticism despite his faith in Chelsea turning around the tie.

Asked about the game at the press conference ahead of hosting Madrid, Kepa said: “Tomorrow is a big game, a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. We are playing at home.”

“It is not going to be easy but I don’t think we need the performance of our lives. We need a good performance. We need to deliver our best. We cannot overthink. We have to take it step by step. We have to defend well, attack well. It is a big part of the season, looking where we are.”

The goalkeeper also added that the Blues will need a more improved performance in Lampard’s fourth game in charge if they are to stand a chance of going through.

“We need a better performance than in the Bernabeu. We need to better control the counterattacks. We need to spend more time with the ball and create more chances. We need to score goals, we need to be more clinical in both areas. I think that will be key.”

Chelsea have advanced from five of their last seven Champions League ties in which they have lost the first leg away from home.