Chelsea vs Salzburg LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction from Graham Potter’s first game
The new boss at Stamford Bridge takes charge of the Blues for the first time
Chelsea drew 1-1 with Salzburg in the Champions League as Graham Potter’s reign started with a frustrating draw. The Blues remain bottom of their group following last week’s defeat to Dinamo, a result which saw Thomas Tuchel sacked and Potter appointed in his place thereafter.
Here at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea dominated large stretches of play but failed to make too much count in the final third. Reece James and Raheem Sterling went closest in a low-key first half, before the latter opened the scoring soon after half-time with an expertly taken finish into the far corner.
Chelsea would have hoped to see the game out but Noah Okafor rolled in an equaliser for Salzburg, with Hakim Ziyech and Armando Broja among those to spurn late opportunities to seal the points for the home side and give Potter a winning start.
Follow all the reaction from Chelsea’s draw with Salzburg below:
12’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg
Havertz nods at goal and it’s on target but hits a Salzburg head unwittingly. A quick note - Salzburg made a change to their intended line-up so Sesko is in the attack.
8’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg
Jorginho is very fortunate to get a free-kick on the edge of his own box after losing the ball. Didn’t look much in the contact at all. Sterling then waltzes through a challenge or two and Mount gets the shot away, but it’s blocked at close quarters. An open start at the Bridge.
4’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg
Half a chance for Aubameyang as he hooks the ball over the crossbar. Nice work from Havertz in the build-up. It’s Sterling who has started on the left side more or less, but there’s certainly flexibility in Chelsea’s shape early on.
1’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg
Kick-off! Applause and preparations over and we’re now underway.
Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg
All set to go at Stamford Bridge with the players ready for the moment’s silence pre-game.
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Somewhat underlines what a disappointing defeat it was for the Blues last time out.
Tonight is their chance to put that right, albeit under a new boss in the dugout. Almost time for Potter’s Chelsea reign to really begin.
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Ahead of kick-off, an update from the group: AC Milan beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 at the San Siro in the early kick-off, which leaves the group looking like this before Chelsea start:
- Milan 4pts
- Dinamo 3pts
- Salzburg 1pt
- Chelsea 0pts
Victory tonight will get the Blues back on track with plenty of time to spare, of course.
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Graham Potter is playing it close to the chest in terms of whether it’s a three or a four in defence - some suggestion in social media circles that Cucurella will be left of a back three and Mason Mount at wing-back. The boss isn’t telling us so we’ll find out in half an hour or so!
“Good experience and knowhow. I won’t give too much away you can keep guessing! Could be four at the back!,” he said.
“We’ve been working for a few days and we want to use the strengths of the players.
“They attack and defend with a real unity and they are a strong team.”
Why is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wearing a mask for Chelsea in Champions League?
Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to wear a mask to train and play since his deadline day transfer from Barcelona.
Graham Potter has since replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager since the Gabonese striker joined and is likely to remain a key part to the Blues’ attack as they bid to kick-start their season.
A debut in Zagreb for Aubameyang saw the 33-year-old wear his mask as the Croatian side shocked the Londoners 1-0 to spell the end of Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
Aubameyang continues to wear a mask as he recovers from a broken jaw, although there were moments during an open training session at Cobham on Tuesday where he was able to train without the personalised protective item. This suggests it may not be long before he is able to train and play without the mask.
More details:
Why is Aubameyang wearing a mask for Chelsea?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang mask: Why is Chelsea striker wearing a mask in Champions League against Salzburg?
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Worth a quick look at Chelsea’s domestic form this season...by which we effectively mean the Chelsea form which got Tuchel the sack.
Won 1-0 vs Everton
Drew 2-2 vs Spurs
Lost 3-0 vs Leeds
Won 2-1 vs Leicester
Lost 2-1 vs Southampton
Won 2-1 vs West Ham
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