Malmo vs Chelsea LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
All the latest updates from the Eleda Stadion
Follow live coverage as Chelsea head into their fourth Champions League group stage match looking for another three points which would leave them within touching distance of the knock-out phase, as they face Swedish side Malmo on Tuesday evening. So far, Thomas Tuchel’s side have won twice and suffered defeat to group leaders Juventus, who are at home to Dynamo Kyiv this evening - victory for the Blues would likely see a six-point gap between themselves and third place.
Domestically, Chelsea beat Newcastle comfortably at the weekend after progressing through to the League Cup quarter-finals a week ago, leaving them on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. Malmo have lost just once in a six-game run of their own, but that was against their visitors tonight, in a 4-0 drubbing at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.
The Blues still have injury concerns in their forward line with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner sidelined, while Mateo Kovacic is also out injured to further whittle down Tuchel’s squad options until after the upcoming international break. Even so, they’ll be heavy favourites to win here. Follow all the latest updates from Malmo vs Chelsea below:
Atalanta 0 - 0 Man Utd
Kick off: Both teams take the knee before Manchester United kick off the match. It’s sent long down the left where Luke Shaw gets to the ball and knocks it to Cristiano Ronaldo. He runs it inside and takes a shot from range but it bounces comfortably for Juan Musso who catches the ball easily enough.
Atalanta vs Man Utd
The players make their way out onto the pitch. This is the first time Manchester United are playing in Bergamo. Can they earn another win against this Italian side?
Atalanta vs Man Utd
Since returning to Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his least three Champions League appearances.
The last player to score in four consecutive appearances for Manchester United in the Champions League was Ruud van Nistelrooy in April 2003 in a run of nine.
Atalanta vs Man Utd
The last game between Atalanta and Manchester United was a cracker. Atalanta scored twice in the first half to lead at the break but United came out flying in the second half.
They continued to attack and goals from Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo gave them a remarkable 3-2 victory moving them to the top of Group F after three games. Another victory tonight will put one foot in the next round for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
Antonio Conte to Tottenham is another sliding doors moment for Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
What a difference a week makes. Seven days ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hanging onto his job after hours of deliberation among Old Trafford’s key decision-makers resulted in a stay of execution.
Solskjaer would remain in place even though, as senior United sources admitted, he had plenty of work to do to turn the season around. By the time that lukewarm show of support arrived late on Monday evening, Antonio Conte’s interest in the role was already no secret.
Then, Manchester United beat Tottenham. Conte is now set to replace not Solskjaer but Nuno Espirito Santo, dismissed just 124 days after his appointment at Tottenham, with the wheels set in motion less than 24 hours after “El Sackio”.
Saturday’s result has therefore strengthened Solskjaer’s position in two ways: first, by easing the monumental pressure which had built up on his shoulders over the course of last week; second, by taking the man most qualified to be his successor off the market.
Antonio Conte creates another sliding doors moment for Manchester United
With one of the frontrunners to replace him now at Spurs, Solskjaer’s shaky ground at United feels a little more stable ahead of a decisive week
Atalanta vs Man Utd
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sticks with the 5-3-2 formation that proved successful against Tottenham on Saturday but makes three changes to his Manchester United team.
Eric Bailly comes in for Victor Lindelof in defence, Paul Pogba replaces Fred in midfield and Marcus Rashford, who scored his third goal in three games against Spurs, starts up top instead of Edinson Cavani.
Atalanta vs Man Utd
Reaction from Chelsea’s win still to come but our focus moves to Italy where Atalanta are hosting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. Here’s a look at the line-ups:
Atalanta XI: Musso; De Roon, Demiral, Palomino; Zappacosta, Freuler, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Pasalic; Ilicic, Zapata.
Manchester United XI: De Gea; Varane, Maguire, Bailly; Wan-Bissaka, Pogba, McTominay, Shaw; Fernandes; Ronaldo, Rashford.
Malmo 0 - 1 Chelsea
All things considered Malmo made it difficult for Chelsea. The Swedish side defended for their lives, Chelsea had 22 shots with 11 on target and only broke them down once.
Thomas Tuchel won’t be thrilled with the performance but the result is what mattered. Chelsea remain second in Group H but they draw level with Juvenuts on nine points.
Full-time: Malmo 0 - 1 Chelsea
90+3 mins: No they can’t. Chelsea beat Malmo in Sweden to take a step closer to the Champions League knockout stages. If Juventus also win later tonight the Blues will have a six-point lead over Zenit St. Petersburg with just two group stage matches to play.
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