Toothless Chelsea crash to defeat in opener in Zagreb

Thomas Tuchel's men suffered a shock defeat at the Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb. The Premier League side started the contest positively, but they fell behind in the 13th minute thanks to a brilliant counter finished by Mislav Orsic. The rest of the game saw Chelsea attempting to break down a rock solid Zagreb defence and, barring the odd scare, the home side held out comfortably. The result will give Tuchel food for thought ahead of their trip to Fulham on Saturday. 

Chelsea began the game enjoying the lion share of possession as Aubameyang made his first start for his new club. Tuchel's men got some early corners and could have scored in the sixth minute when Sterling was denied by defender Ristovski after playing a lovely one-two with Aubameyang. However, not long afterwards, they were caught out on the counter and found themselves behind. 

Zagreb won the ball in their own half, Ljubicic played a long ball forward for Petkovic at midfield and he headed into the path of Orsic. The number 99 ran forward with the ball towards goal and placed the ball into the far corner to send the home crowd ecstatic. The goal gave the Croatian side a huge lift and Chelsea lacked ideas going forward.

In fact, Zagreb started to enjoy more of the ball, looked more dangerous and could have made it two before the interval. Misic found Ademi 20 yards out from goal and Kepa had to make a fine stop. It was 1-0 going into the break after a disappointing first period for the away side. 

 

September 6, 2022

The second half saw Hakim Ziyech introduced and he had an early effort from distance which was easily saved by Livakovic in the Zagreb goal. The away side kept up the pressure and Aubameyang had the ball in the net, but Chilwell was offside in the build up. Even though Chelsea were doing the majority of the attacking, they so nearly conceded a second. 

The ball was played to Ristovski and the former Sporting Lisbon man tried his luck from 20 yards. Kepa, who started ahead of Mendy, made a terrific save to his left to tip the ball onto the crossbar and keep Chelsea in the contest. 

Just before the hour mark, Jorginho and Broja were brought on in place of Aubameyang and Kovacic, who was making his return to his old club, but Zagreb held firm. The visitors' frustration began to show and Tuchel picked up a booking for complaining to the match official. 

Havertz thought he had levelled 10 minutes from time when he got on the end of Mount's cross at the back stick, but his header was blocked by Ljubicic's head. Then, in the 85th minute, Reece James was denied by Livakovic's left hand upright and the goalkeeper then got up to deny Mount on the rebound and give the Croatian side the three points.

Chelsea's next match in this competition is at home to Salzburg on 14th September while Dinamo Zagreb visit AC Milan on the same day.