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:
Champions League Group E
A quick reminder of the state of play so far in Chelsea’s group:
GW1: Dinamo 1-0 Chelsea; Salzburg 1-1 Milan
GW2: Chelsea vs Salzburg; Milan currently hosting Dinamo
- Dinamo 3pts
- Milan 1pt
- Salzburg 1pt
- Chelsea 0pts
Graham Potter embracing ‘very different challenge’ as Chelsea manager
New Chelsea manager Graham Potter says he will approach a “very different challenge” in the same way as he has throughout a coaching career spent largely out of the spotlight.
The 47-year-old Englishman has taken on by far his biggest coaching job, having cut his teeth with Swedish club Ostersunds for seven years before a short spell at Swansea and then a highly impressive one with Brighton.
Potter’s methods at Brighton have enhanced his reputation but the expectation levels at Chelsea will be a new experience for a man tipped as a future England manager.
“You have to look at the football club here, the tradition, the quality, to compete in the Premier League and Champions League, it’s a completely different challenge to the one I had,” said Potter, who will take charge for the first time as Chelsea host Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“I am very, very excited as you can imagine and looking forward to getting going.”
Graham Potter embracing ‘very different challenge’ as Chelsea manager
Potter will take charge for the first time as Chelsea host Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Graham Potter in his Chelsea programme notes has a quick message for the home crowd.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the fans and I want to thank you for the support you’ve shown me in the responses to my appointment.”
They’ll show a good bit more welcoming tonight if you pick up the points, Mr. P.
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
No reason for suspicion here of course - Freund works for RB Salzburg so would naturally be in place. But he is one of the names being spoken about as Chelsea search for people to lead their recruitment drive in future, after a haphazard first summer transfer window for Todd Boehly.
Chelsea vs Salzburg confirmed lineups
And Graham Potter’s first XI is here too: It’s a 4-3-3, Kepa lining up in goal, Azpilicueta seemingly centre-back with Thiago Silva and Aubameyang starting up front. Could be a 4-2-3-1 if Mount is a No10 instead of alongside Kovacic.
Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, Azpilicueta, Silva, Cucurella, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang, Havertz.
Chelsea vs Salzburg confirmed lineups
Team news is in for Chelsea’s opponents! Benjamin Sesko is left on the bench by the visitors. Sucic gets the nod in midfield with Kjaergaard likely at the tip of a diamond.
Salzburg XI: Kohn; Dedic, Pavlovic, Ulmer, Bernardo; Capaldo, Seiwald, Sucic; Kjaergaard; Fernando, Okafor
Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news
Graham Potter’s first Chelsea line-up is to be announced very soon. Who gets the nod?!
Todd Boehly outlines vision for Chelsea to be part of ‘multi-club ownership model’
Todd Boehly has revealed his vision for Chelsea includes the team being part of a “multi-club model” similar to RB Leipzig and Manchester City.
Speaking at a conference in New York, the Chelsea owner and chairman also explained that Thomas Tuchel was sacked because the German did not share his own plans for the club.
Boehly said he had been impressed with the multi-club models operated by Red Bull and Manchester City and revealed his investment could branch out to include other teams across Europe.
“We’ve talked about a multi-club model, and I would love to build out the footprint,” Boehley said at the SALT conference.
“I think there are different countries where there are advantages to having a club. Red Bull does a really good job, they’ve got Leipzig and they have Salzburg, both of which are playing in the Champions League. They’ve figured out how to make that work.”
Todd Boehly outlines vision for Chelsea to be part of ‘multi-club ownership model’
Boehly also suggested English football could learn a lesson from American sports and benefit from an ‘All-Star’ game
Graham Potter reveals what convinced him to leave Brighton for Chelsea
New Chelsea boss Graham Potter insisted the club’s vision convinced him to join.
The 47-year-old replaced Thomas Tuchel last week after leaving Brighton.
He signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and admitted the new owners, led by chairman Todd Boehly, showed him it was the right move.
“It’s the start of a really exciting period, I think,” he told the club’s official site. “New ownership, who I was really, really excited with and impressed by, firstly as people and then their vision for the club and what they wanted to do.
“Of course, the history of the club speaks for itself, but it’s about trying to create that again in our own way.”
Graham Potter reveals what convinced him to leave Brighton for Chelsea
Potter left Brighton for Chelsea to replace Thomas Tuchel last week
Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle hoped to face friend Thomas Tuchel in Chelsea dugout
Matthias Jaissle has lamented missing the chance to take on his friend Thomas Tuchel when RB Salzburg face Chelsea.
Salzburg boss Jaissle had been excited to pit his wits against Tuchel, but insists Wednesday’s Stamford Bridge visitors will still be prepared to go up against Graham Potter.
Potter will take the Chelsea helm for the first time in their Champions League clash in west London, but Jaissle insisted Salzburg had done their due diligence on the former Brighton boss.
“After the draw I was thinking that we would meet Thomas Tuchel,” said Jaissle.
“And tomorrow we would play against him. It’s a bit of a pity – I know him personally.”
Salzburg boss Jaissle hoped to face friend Tuchel in Chelsea dugout
Graham Potter has replaced the sacked German boss in the Stamford Bridge hotseat
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments