The Belgian striker was sidelined for Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of Southampton in the Premier League due to an Achilles issue and has not traveled to Spain for this evening’s second-leg clash at the Bernabeu.
However, Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta is available again after he missed the St Mary’s thumping due to Covid-19.
“Romelu will not travel with us due to his pain in the Achilles,” said Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel on Monday. “Azpi is in the group. He has tested several times negative.”
Lukaku missed several good chances when he came off the bench in the first leg and it is unlikely he would have started in Madrid, but his absence is still a blow for Chelsea.
Timo Werner scored twice in the rout of Southampton but Tuchel warned the meeting with Real will be a different challenge, suggesting Christian Pulisic will come back into the side.
Callum Hudson-Odoi remains sidelined with an Achilles problem, while Ross Barkley has been ruled out due to illness.
Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; James, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Havertz, Pulisic.
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