Luka Modric Makes Big Statement About Chelsea After the Blues' Spirited Performance at Bernabeu

• Real Madrid star Luka Modric has claimed Chelsea are the most difficult team to play in the Champions League
• Modric made the claim shortly after Real Madrid's lucky qualification for the semis of the European tournament
• Chelsea staged a spirited performance during their trip to Bernabeu and nearly staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in the competition

Real Madrid's Champions League hero Luka Modric has paid a tribute to Chelsea for their resilience during their Santiago Bernabeu meeting.

The Blues were in the best form of their lives as they sought a Champions League miracle during their trip to Madrid.

Having suffered a 3-1 defeat in the reverse tie played at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea needed nothing short of a 3-0 win to qualify for the semis.

Chelsea nearly upsets Real Madrid

With their job well cut out, Thomas Tuchel's charges laid a marker on Tuesday night, April 12, and nearly pulled one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of the competition.

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Having taken a 3-0 comfortable lead, the west Londoners were on course to qualify for the last four after 80 minutes of action, only for Rodrygo to pull one back for Real in the 81st minute to force the tie into extra time.

The La Liga giants put the game to bed in the 96th minute when Karim Benzema fired home the ultimate decider.

Benzema's goal was enough to earn Real a semi-final berth as they qualified on a 5-4 goal aggregate.

Luka Modric pays tribute to Chelsea

Speaking after the match, Modric, who set up Benzema for the winner was full of praise for Chelsea as he hailed them for their spirited performance.

According to the Croatian, the Blues are one "the most difficult team to play against" in the Champions League.

"They (Chelsea) are, for me, the most difficult team to play against. I watch them a lot because of my friend Mateo [Kovacic], how they play, and they are a very tough, physical team, very compact," Modric was quoted saying.

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Tuchel slams Champions League ref

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Thomas Tuchel has expressed his disappointment after spotting the referee having a light moment with Carlo Ancelotti

The awkward moment happened shortly after the final whistle of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Real Madrid

Tuchel conceded that he was unhappy seeing the match official share a joke with Ancelotti, insisting it was "bad timing"