Before Chelsea’s Champions League match against Real Madrid, Ashley Cole gave a humorous pre-game statement to the Chelsea defence on camera.
The Blues welcomed the La Liga powerhouses to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night for the second leg of their quarterfinal match, looking to recover a 2-0 lead from the earlier match at Santiago Bernabeu.
The 2021 Champions League champions, according to The Guardian, were unable to defeat Carlo Ancelotti’s team and eventually withdrew from the competition.
A brace from Brazilian star Rodrygo was enough to earn Real another 2-0 win away from home to book a spot in the semi-final of the European competition.
Ashley Cole’s speech to Chelsea defenders
Despite Chelsea’s defeat, Sportbible reports that it is a passionate moment between Cole and the Blues’ defenders that has gone viral.
The moment, which was captured moments before the match, showed the Chelsea legend handing out some very clear pre-match instructions to his defenders.
At one point, the former left-back can be seen concentrating his efforts on Marc Cucurella, who has struggled for form since joining the west Londoners from Brighton.
Cole’s animated speech had fans talking online, with one posting:
“This us what we have missed all season – passion, winners.”
A second added:
“Show me a single one of the current lot that have even close to this level of passion.
While another added:
“Interesting. Ashley Cole really is integral to Lampard’s coaching staff.”
Courtois appears to mock Chelsea
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thibaut Courtois responded to Chelsea fans in kind, as he dazzled in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge on April 18.
The goalkeeper had an impressive game despite being subjected to a hostile reception at his former home ground.
The lanky Belgian has never been forgiven for ditching the club to move to the Spanish capital and Blues fans made that clear with loud jeers every time Courtois was on the ball.