Date: 19th October 2017 at 6:44pm
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‘A Blue Up North’ looks back at Chelsea’s draw against Roma in the Champions’ League…

This season’s Champions League Group stage is really starting to hot up and on Wednesday evening it burned brightly at Stamford Bridge. In an engrossing match between two teams managed by tactically knowledgeable gritty ex midfielders, The Blues shared the goals and the points with Roma.

In a match that ebbed and flowed, both teams utilised different formations and attacked in different styles. It was definitely a match that showcased a lovely combination of high intensity and high skill levels which will have thrilled the neutrals and the viewing footballing public.

Sadly from a Chelsea viewpoint, most of the high intensity came from The Giallorossi. The Italian’s 4-3-3 formation utilised a tight central 3 in midfield who moved forward from deep in unison. But it was the front 3 who occupied extra Chelsea markers. Whilst the prolific Džeko regularly moved out of position to aide their build up play, the highly talented Perotti showed his full range of skills whilst regularly cutting in from the left flank onto his right foot. His movement definitely helped create the uncertainty on Chelsea’s right hand side that enabled another ex Manchester City player, Kolarov to finally get Roma deservedly onto the scoresheet.

It was the start of a dramatic but fully justified come back from the visitors. Despite their probing play early on, it was the quality finishing from the effervescent David Luiz and Eden Hazard that put Chelsea into a 2-0 lead. But even then the signs were there. Chelsea seem to have an element of disbelief or lack of confidence about them that creates a hesitation allowing the opposition to get through them too often.

Starting the match with Luiz playing as an extra central midfielder, Chelsea covered the pitch well and were able to steal back possession regularly. This was the platform Morata and Hazard to run at the Roma back line. When early in the second half that Luiz was unable to continue and needed to be substituted, Antonio Conte’s lack of options forced a change of formation. This gamble meant Chelsea returned to their more regular 3-4-3 set up but led to them being outnumbered in the centre of the park. Extra time on the ball was the catalyst to the Roma dominance and them taking a 3-2 lead in the match.

All 3 of the Roma goals would have been great viewing for the neutrals, were outstanding attacking play for the passionate away fans to celebrate, but were all disappointing goals to concede for The Blues. A combination of a lack intensity and cover in midfield with those signs of hesitation in defence nearly led to these goals nearly taking all 3 points back to Italy.

However, in the final 20 minutes Chelsea did show a resolve that has been at the club for many a year. Despite being outplayed for most of the match, they were able to put Roma onto the back foot and it was a clever flick header from Hazard which brought a quick equaliser. Whilst Morata showed no signs of his recent injury and with the introduction of the speedy Pedro, Chelsea pressed forward and came closest to scoring a winner. That would have been harsh on a quality Roma side, who will take confidence in their attitude and performance. Roll on the return match at The Olimpico on 31 October.

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