Chelsea news as UEFA make major appointment for the Blues' Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid.
Chelsea welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday night. The Blues must overturn a two-goal deficit if they are to progress to the semi-final after losing at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
Frank Lampard's men come into the clash in west London on the back of three straight defeats after Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. Lampard's return to Stamford Bridge has, so far, been a miserable one and it's a tough task up next with the reigning champions of Europe visiting west London.
Real Madrid are in cruise control of the tie after comfortably dispatching Chelsea in Spain last week. Goals either side of half-time from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio put Carlo Ancelotti's men in good stead to advance to the semi-final.
However, despite being firm favourites, Los Blancos are reportedly unhappy with UEFA's decision to appoint Daniele Orsato to oversee the clash. The La Liga giants have had a number of recent run-ins with the Italian referee and the Spanish press have claimed Madrid are already 'crying' about the decision.
It reportedly relates to an incident three years ago when Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the last 16. Orsato awarded City a penalty after Dani Carvajal fouled Raheem Sterling before sending Sergio Ramos off for bringing Gabriel Jesus down as the last man.
Luka Modric has also had previous with the official after the midfielder described Orsato as a "disaster" and claimed he is "one of the worst" referees after his performance in Croatia's 3-0 World Cup defeat to Argentina in December.
Spanish publication Sport have claimed Madrid are already 'crying' about Orsato being awarded the game to officiate. Orsato has officiated six Champions League games this season, showing 20 yellow cards and zero red Cards.