Premier League giants Chelsea traveled to Dinamo Zagreb’s yard, the Stadion Maksimir, for his or her Champions League Group E opener on Tuesday night (September 6). The mighty Blues have been the overwhelming favorites to return out on prime, however the hosts gave them a harsh actuality examine, condemning them to a 1-0 defeat. Mislav Orsic scored the one objective for the Croatian outfit in entrance of a bouncing Stadion Maksimir.
Dressed of their white away strip, Chelsea began the sport brightly and carved out their first alternative simply six minutes into the match. Debutant Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang dashed into the field, spearheading a promising counter assault. Regardless of being able to shoot, the Gabonese opted to chop the ball again for Raheem Sterling. The England worldwide received his shot away, nevertheless it was blocked by Stefan Ristovski earlier than the keeper may intervene.
Within the thirteenth minute, Orsic scored beautifully for the hosts, fully towards the run of play. The Blues, who have been convincingly on prime, had everybody in Dinamo’s half, that means there was nobody to halt Orsic’s run from his personal half. The ahead simply outpaced new Chelsea signing Wesley Fofana earlier than dinking the ball over an onrushing Kepa Arrizabalaga to seek out the again of the web. Aside from Aubameyang’s tame effort (blocked) within the forty second minute, the Pensioners did not conjure something for the rest of the primary half.
The guests finally scored within the forty ninth minute, with Aubameyang discovering the far aspect. Sadly for them, the objective was dominated out for offside. Earlier than their frantic push within the last 10 minutes, which noticed efforts from Reece James (bar), Mason Mount (saved), and Hakim Ziyech (saved), Chelsea struggled to create goalscoring alternatives. Zagreb, regardless of solely having fun with 32% possession, held on and impressively walked away with most factors.
Listed here are three of Blues’ stars who completely disenchanted in Croatia and two who confirmed some glimpses of excellence:
Underperformed: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Within the aftermath of an armed theft at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Barcelona dwelling, which resulted in a jaw damage for him, the ahead may solely full two coaching classes earlier than Tuesday. Earlier than the match, Thomas Tuchel claimed the Gabonese was prepared to start out, nevertheless it clearly didn’t look the case.
Chelsea subbed off Aubameyang after 60 minutes👀He has an Arsenal tattoo, he finished this to you in a last. What do you anticipate🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/lgWfNWt272
Aubameyang was sluggish for probably the most half, hardly ever took pictures when wanted, and was caught offside a number of instances. Earlier than being changed by Armando Broja within the sixtieth minute, Aubameyang lodged zero pictures, misplaced two duels, ceded possession seven instances, and was caught in an offside place thrice. Not a debut to recollect for the previous Barcelona man.
Carried out: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Beginning in a aggressive recreation for the primary time since March, Kepa Arrizabalaga produced a powerful efficiency. The Spaniard couldn’t maintain a clear sheet, however he greater than did his fair proportion to keep away from additional embarrassment.
The previous Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper made two glorious saves, denying Ristovski’s long-range effort (56 minutes) and Arijan Ademi’s outside-the-box try (29 minutes). Along with the saves, Kepa had three profitable sweeping makes an attempt, accomplished 9 passes, and delivered one correct lengthy ball.
Underperformed: Ben Chilwell
Showing in his fiftieth recreation for the Blues, Ben Chilwell produced a efficiency to neglect towards Dinamo Zagreb. He was not good in one-on-one conditions, lacked finesse going ahead, and misplaced possession fairly cheaply. The west London outfit regarded extra comfy in possession after he was taken off for Marc Cucurella within the 71st minute.
In opposition to Zagreb, Chilwell didn’t create a single probability for his teammates, misplaced all three of his tried crosses, and misplaced three of 4 duels. Moreover, he ceded possession 13 instances, dedicated a foul, and was caught offside as soon as.
Carried out: Reece James
Arguably the perfect participant in Tuchel’s staff, Reece James did his finest to assist his teammates out on Tuesday. He swung in a number of crosses, carried the ball properly, held his personal in floor duels, and even hit the woodwork as soon as. Within the eighty fifth minute, he took a diagonal shot at Zagreb’s objective. As an alternative of creeping inside, it slammed towards the body of the objective and went out of play.
On Tuesday, James made one key go, precisely delivered two crosses and two lengthy balls; gained 5 floor duels, and drew two fouls. He additionally blocked a shot and tried a sort out.
Underperformed: Raheem Sterling
Former Manchester Metropolis ahead Raheem Sterling arguably had his worst recreation but for the Blues in Croatia. He failed to check the keeper, stored dropping possession, and didn’t create any clear-cut goalscoring alternatives for his teammates.
The Englishman had zero pictures, did not make even a single key go, and failed in all three of his dribble makes an attempt. Sterling additionally misplaced seven of 9 floor duels, ceded possession a whopping 20 instances, and dedicated two fouls earlier than being changed by Christian Pulisic within the seventy fifth minute.
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