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LONDON — Graham Potter’s reign at Chelsea is now formally underway. In Chelsea’s first match since supervisor Thomas Tuchel was fired last week, the Blues settled for a 1-1 draw to Salzburg within the Champions League on Wednesday.
With the outcome, Chelsea now have only one level from their two opening matches of the Champions League group stage.
– Report: Chelsea-Salzburg | Champions League table | Upcoming fixtures
A second-half purpose from Raheem Sterling grew to become Chelsea’s first of the Champions League marketing campaign after a deadlocked first half, however Salzburg discovered the equalizer via Noah Okafor.
ESPN’s James Olley is in London with response and evaluation.
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Table of Contents
1. Possession-based Graham Potter stalled by acquainted points
The Potter period began at Chelsea with a 1-1 draw over Crimson Bull Salzburg, and a glimpse on the form of soccer the 47-year-old will purpose to ship at Stamford Bridge.
There have been hallmarks of his predecessor Thomas Tuchel’s first recreation in cost — a 0-0 draw in opposition to Wolves — given in that match the Blues performed three on the again and dominated the ball, recording 78.9% possession that night time. In Potter’s three full seasons in cost at Brighton, his crew averaged 51.7%, 50.7% and 54.3% possession so there was no shock that armed with higher gamers right here, Chelsea upped that quantity to 70.8%.
Nevertheless, one factor that Tuchel’s Chelsea and Potter’s Brighton have additionally had in frequent was a wastefulness in entrance of purpose. The Blues ended this 90 minutes ruing a number of presentable alternatives, the final of which got here when Armando Broja blazed over the crossbar in harm time.
Not less than they scored, however the defensive vulnerability that did a lot harm to Tuchel’s Chelsea over time appeared as soon as once more as Thiago Silva’s botched interception allowed Junior Adamu to cross and Noah Okafor to equalise.
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2. Raheem Sterling continues his rise in a distinct function
Maybe essentially the most fascinating particular person task in Potter’s 3-5-2 form was using Sterling as a left wing-back.
In fact, Sterling was often thus far up the pitch that he typically resembled a large ahead, and it’ll have happy Potter that the purpose got here from an overload in that place, as Mason Mount’s right-wing cross discovered its approach through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Sterling, who used his time properly to curve a shot into the far nook.
Sterling was simply beginning to discover his toes on the finish of Tuchel’s time in cost — scoring thrice in his ultimate 4 matches — and he was a relentless menace right here earlier than being withdrawn six minutes from time.
Arguably the negatives in Sterling enjoying that function have been proven by Salzburg’s equaliser as each Sterling and left-sided centre-back Marc Cucurella have been caught upfield.
3. Christian Pulisic nonetheless has impression substitute function
Pulisic performed some half in its place in all seven video games previous to Tuchel’s departure. The decreased function was one motive why he was eager on a transfer away from the membership in the summertime switch window, one thing the membership’s hierarchy refused to think about.
Potter’s arrival marks a contemporary begin for the whole squad however Pulisic discovered himself with solely restricted time to make an impression, launched as Chelsea’s ultimate change for Sterling with simply six minutes remaining. Pulisic had simply 11 touches, finishing eight of his 9 passes however clearly had a tough process in rescuing the trigger so late within the day.
The excellent news for the U.S. males’s nationwide crew worldwide is he obtained on the pitch. The unhealthy information is his wait to start out a match at membership stage will now run into October — lower than two months earlier than the World Cup begins.
Chelsea: Kepa 6, James 8, Azpilicueta 6, Silva 7, Cucurella 6, Mount 7, Kovacic 7, Jorginho 6, Sterling 7, Aubameyang 7, Havertz 5.
Subs: Broja 6, Loftus-Cheek 6, Gallagher 6, Ziyech 5, Pulisic 6.
Salzburg: Kohn 7, Dedic 7, Bernardo 7, Pavlovic 7, Ulmer 7, Capaldo 6, Seiwald 6, Kjaergaard 6, Sucic 6, Sesko 7, Okafor 7.
Subs: Gourna-Douath 6, Kameri 6, Adamu 7, Koita 6.
Finest performer: Reece James, Chelsea.
England supervisor Gareth Southgate was in attendance to observe a sometimes dynamic show at full-back from James, whose motion prompted Salzburg’s issues and his go launched Mount to arrange Sterling’s purpose.
Worst performer: Kai Havertz, Chelsea.
One other quiet night time for the 23-year-old, who had a strike-partner in Aubameyan, however each have been substituted on 66 minutes.
Thomas Tuchel is gone however not forgotten for the followers at Stamford Bridge, who honored their former coach throughout the match. Tuchel was sacked last week after Chelsea opened their Champions League campaign with a loss to Dinamo Zagreb:
https://twitter.com/JamesOlley/status/1570131159744495617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Following a primary half, Raheem Sterling opened Chelsea’s objectives account for the Champions League season shortly after the break:
https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1570143156280397825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Chelsea’s lead did not final, nevertheless. Salzburg discovered a well-worked purpose (though Chelsea felt there was a foul on the build-up) and pulled stage within the ultimate quarter-hour:
https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1570150063380516864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Chelsea supervisor Graham Potter on the outcome: “We’re disenchanted with the outcome. I believed the boys gave all the things. We scored a very good purpose, however misplaced a bit within the second half however their goalkeeper has made some good saves. It’s what it’s, we’ve to mud ourselves down. Persona and software was good, we’ll get higher. We obtained Raheem in one-on-one conditions very often and the purpose was a very good results of that.”
Potter on whether or not the gamers want time to get used to him: “I have been very optimistic with the gamers, their response, their angle. They’re clever. They’re good gamers, high gamers. They’re working exhausting for one another. There’s a good spirit within the group. They’re disenchanted as a result of the outcomes have not gone in addition to they want which is regular and you may really feel that disappointment, you’ll be able to really feel that frustration. However it’s my job to assist them attempt to get the outcomes they need, that all of us need. Right this moment will not be one of the best begin by way of factors for us however by way of how we acted on the pitch, as a bunch, a lot of positives.”
Potter on the transition to taking up the crew: “It has not been simple for the boys, they’ve responded to us very well over the previous few days and it is a level we should take and get higher. The angle has been implausible, no complaints other than the actual fact we’ve not taken three factors.”
Raheem Sterling scored his first Champions League purpose with Chelsea. Because the 2019-20 Champions League season no different English participant has extra objectives (11).
Chelsea end with 1 level via their first two matchdays in Champions League this season. That is their fewest via their first two matchdays in a single Champions League season since 1999-00, when in addition they obtained 1 level.
Chelsea: The Blues return to the Premier League and head to Crystal Palace at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 1. Then, they resume Champions League by internet hosting AC Milan on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 3p.m. ET.
Salzburg: Die Roten Bullen return to motion within the Austrian Bundesliga, internet hosting Speedy Vienna on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. ET.