British left-back Last night, just before the hour, Chilwell was handed his marching orders for hauling back Rodrygo as he was running through on goal.
At the Bernabeu, the Blues were already down a goal as a result of Karim Benzema’s first-half tap-in.
And Chilwell’s dismissal was followed by sub Marco Asensio’s 74th-minute drive to leave Frank Lampard’s men with an uphill task going into the second leg of their quarter-final clash on Tuesday.
Writing on Instagram, the 26-year-old defender said: “Slept on it and just want to apologise to my team-mates and the fans.
“I made a decision in a split second last night and it was a mistake.
“I always give everything for the team and I will continue to do so. Thank you for the support.”
Ben Chilwell was red-carded for tugging back Rodrygo
With Chilwell ruled out of the return match at Stamford Bridge, Lampard is likely to deploy Marc Cucurella at left-back or left wing-back, depending on the formation he opts for.
Graham Potter was under even more pressure after Saturday’s shocking 1-0 home loss to Southampton, and some Stamford Bridge supporters heckled the team at the end of the game.
Chilwell, who came out following the game to thank the fans who remained until the final whistle with fellow England international Mason Mount, believes the team is to blame.
The left-back said, “It is easy to say, but we really do have to work hard and turn this around.” James Ward-Prowse’s free kick did us in. We are the only ones who are capable of doing that.
“It is never nice for a very competitive group that wants to win stuff. Some of us a few years ago tasted winning a major trophy [the Champions League] and to be in this situation now does not feel good at all.
“It is understandable the fans are not happy. They expect Chelsea to win matches, which we also expect.
“I can stand here and say we created chances but it doesn’t really mean anything. We need to win these games.
“We need to work hard. It is a pretty flat dressing room at the moment.
“It is hard to get into it, in terms of what we did right and wrong, but we have time now until our next game to work hard.”
To compound matters for Potter’s struggling side, who currently sit 10th in the Premier League, skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was rushed to hospital after being kicked in the head by Saints sub Sekou Mara.
The Spaniard received lengthy treatment on the pitch but was able to clap the home support as he was given a standing ovation while being carried off on a stretcher.
And Chilwell, 26, was delighted to learn his team-mate was in good spirits after the worrying incident.
He added: “I was one of the closest players to it and I saw it in real time, it definitely was not a nice situation.
“Thankfully us as players, and then the staff that came on, acted very quickly and tried to give him the best help we could.
“We found out he went off to hospital to do the necessary procedures in this situation.
“He is also in contact with his wife and is stable, which is a positive to take. We are all thinking of him and it is one of those things bigger than football. We are all here for him.”
Hi everyone! Thank you all for your love and messages of support! My family and I would like to thank everyone who has been looking after me since yesterday’s incident… pic.twitter.com/suBCdIQbj6
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