Chelsea put off field issues to one side to cruise into Champions League quarters

Chelsea are in Friday's draw for the Champions League quarter-finals after a comfortable night in France. The club have plenty of off the field issues to deal with on their return following sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich, but there was little doubt they were going to make the quarters of Europe's premier competition after taking a 2-0 advantage into the second leg.

An even first half devoid of chances sparked into life in the 37th minute when Jorginho handled in his own box and Yilmaz made no mistake from 12 yards. That lifted the home crowd, but when Christian Pulisic levelled for the Blues on the stroke of half-time, the tie was practically over. The second half was pretty much a non-event and Azpilicueta's goal 19 minutes from time meant Chelsea once again beat their French opponents, who were never really in the tie in the second leg. 

There was an electric atmosphere in France for this one and the home side started brightly winning a few corners. Burak Yilmaz had an early strike which deflected wide of a defender's head, but the Ligue 1 side failed to hit the target with any meaningful effort. Chelsea were comfortable, but lost Andreas Christensen just after the half hour to a muscle injury and five minutes later, they fell behind. 

A ball into the box struck Jorginho's arm and that led to loud appeals from the Lille players. Italian referee Davide Massa missed it initially, but after being called over to the screen by the VAR, he awarded the spot kick. Yilmaz beat Mendy despite the keeper going the right way and Lille were right back in the tie. Unfortunately for them, their joy was short lived. 

Seconds before the break, Jorginho redeemed himself by playing a lovely pass to Pulisic and the American beat goalkeeper Leo Jardim with a shot which went in at the far post. The goal completely deflated the home crowd and it left Chelsea in a commanding position going into the second half. 

In the second half, Yilmaz headed just wide of the goal from Bamba's cross, but they then lost Botman and Celik to injuries. The game then seemed to calm down, but Lille so nearly restored their lead in the 63rd minute when Yilmaz picked out Xeka Rocha with his cross, but the Portuguese was denied by the post.  That was Lille's only real opportunity of the second 45 and when Azpilicueta scored shortly afterwards, that was that. Mason Mount got the ball on the far side and he put in a cross to the back stick where Azpilicueta tapped in from close range.

Chelsea fully deserved to go through over the two legs and they now wait to see who they will face in the last eight. For the French league champions, it is time for them to focus on the league and see whether they can qualify for Europe again next term. 

 

March 16, 2022