It’s incredible to think that Chelsea and Real Madrid have only ever faced each other competitively on five occasions throughout their illustrious histories, despite both featuring so frequently in the UEFA Champions League over the years.
That is the case though and their quarter-final clash from Stamford Bridge tonight (Wednesday, April 6 2022) is set to be another significant encounter in the history of the fixture.
Prior to their semi-final double header last season, which the Blues won 3-1 on aggregate, you had to go all the way back to 1998 for the last encounter between the two.
Monaco’s Stade Louis II was the venue for the European Super Cup final as 1997-98 UEFA Champions League winners Real took on the 1997-98 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup holders in Gianluca Vialli’s Chelsea.
The match ended 1-0 with Man of the Match Gus Poyet scoring the decisive goal in the 83rd minute.
The Madrid team on that day featured many familiar names including club legends like Raúl, Clarence Seedorf and Roberto Carlos.
Meanwhile, the Blues’ side also featured several legends of the era with many still considered amongst the greatest ever players to represent the club.
Here are the starting XI and three substitutes from the famous Chelsea side that beat Real Madrid to win the 1998 UEFA European Super Cup:
1. Ed De Goey
The Dutch stopper moved to Stoke in 2003 before hanging up his gloves in 2006. He went into coaching and currently works with VOC Rotterdam
2. Celestine Babayaro
The Nigerian left Stamford Bridge for Newcastle United in 2005 where he spent three seasons before ending his playing career in the MLS. He currently works as a agent
3. Michael Duberry
Duberry featured for several other clubs across England including Leeds, Stoke and Reading. After retiring he left football to begin a new business
4. Frank Leboeuf
The 1998 World Cup, who won 50 caps for the French national side, left the Blues in 2001 to join Marseille. Since retiring he has moved into a career in acting