Christian Pulisic played a major part in Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final success over Real Madrid two seasons ago. The American scored in the first-leg 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital and then supplied the cross for Mason Mount to make it 2-0 in the home meeting, all but putting the tie beyond doubt.

There was less success against them in the quarter-finals last year when Pulisic came on in both games as we ran the side that would be crowned European champions close, but he is looking forward to the opportunity to tilt the balance back in the Blues’ favour in this competition, when we renew this recent rivalry with Real later this week.

‘It seems like we have played them every year I have been here so it is a big team, we are excited, have beaten them in the past and are ready for the challenge,’ Pulisic says before recalling last year’s 5-4 aggregate defeat.

‘It could have gone either way for sure. We want some payback and hopefully beat them. You have to beat some good teams if you want to win the Champions League so we are ready for it. We are a confident team, we know we have good enough players to do some damage in this competition.'

Pulisic acknowledges it will not be easy but does not see why the spirit of 2021 cannot be summoned up again.

‘Are we going to have big fights, tough battles and big teams to play against to get there [the Champions League final], yes,’ says the 24-year-old. ‘We are ready for it and excited for the challenge.

‘I wouldn't want to play Chelsea in the Champions League. We were in a similar situation the last time we won the Champions League, halfway through the year. We were struggling in the league and a lot of people were counting us out. Look what happened then.’