Saint Petersburg –
Chelsea held 3-3 by Zenit Saint Petersburg on matchday last group H Champions League. The Blues have to give up the status of group winners to Juventus.
Zenit vs Chelsea took place at Krestovsky Stadium, Thursday (9/12/2021) early morning WIB. Chelsea were able to take the lead quickly through Timo Werner’s goal in the 2nd minute.
Zenit was then able to get up. They turned things around thanks to two goals in just three minutes from Cluadinho in the 38th minute and Sardar Azmoun in the 41st.
In the second half, the London Blue Team could bring in an equalizing goal from Romelu Lukaku in the 62nd minute. Thomas Tuchel’s men could have taken a 3-2 lead after Werner scored his second goal of the game in the 85th minute.
But Chelsea’s victory that was in sight had to vanish at the last minute. Magomed Ozdoev forced a 3-3 draw with his goal in the 90+4 minute.
This result makes Chelsea fail to qualify for the knockout phase with the status of winners of Group H. They collect the same 13 points and only sit in second position.
The top position is occupied by Juventus who in the same match won 1-0 over Malmo. The Old Lady won 15 points.
Meanwhile, Zenit entered the Europa League after sitting in third place with five points. Malmo became caretaker after only getting one point.
The course of the match
Chelsea immediately pressed in the early minutes. As a result, the visitors were able to take the lead when the game had only been running for two minutes.
Goal!! Ross Barkley’s corner can be headed by Andreas Christensen who is standing at the near post. Christensen’s header went to the unmarked Timo Werner in front of goal. With one flick, the German striker listed his name on the scoreboard.
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(AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky) Foto: AP/Dmitri Lovetsky– |
Zenit can slowly come out attacking after being pressured by Chelsea at the start of the match. Claudinho tried his luck from a long-range shot in the 19th minute. However, this effort still bounced from the Chelsea goal.
In the 24th minute, Malcom drove alone into the penalty box after receiving a through ball from Claudinho. Kepa Arrizabalaga performed brilliantly to save the Chelsea goal by being able to block Malcom’s shot.
The duel went interesting into the middle of the first half. Both teams are playing on the attack.
Chelsea almost doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. Romelu Lukaku’s cross from the right side of the penalty box met Mason Mount at the far post. However, Mount’s shot was still muted by Mikhail Kerzhakov
Four minutes later it was Zenit who could equalize. Douglas Santos cross from the side towards Claudinho in the penalty box.
Goal!! Claudinho’s movement that emerged from behind was not detected by the Chelsea defender. The Brazilian’s header deceived Kepa. The position became a 1-1 draw in the 38th minute.
The poor coordination of the Chelsea defense was again exploited by Zenit. Serdar Azmoun was freed from the offside trap receiving a through ball from Malcom.
Goal!! Azmoun was able to outwit Kepa first before striking the ball into the Chelsea goal. Zenit back leading 2-1 in the 41st minute. This score did not change until the first half was complete.
After the break, Chelsea chased an equalizer. Saul Niguez tried to threaten in the 54th minute. Hard kick from the left side of the penalty box but can still be pushed over by Kerzhakov.
Chelsea’s efforts to equalize the numbers finally paid off in the 62nd minute. The cooperation of Barkley and Werner dismantled Zenit’s defense.
Goal!! Werner, who was just dealing with Kerzhakov, pushed the ball to Lukaku. Lukaku without difficulty means hitting the ball into an empty net. The score changed to a 2-2 draw.
Kepa saved Chelsea from conceding in the 70th minute. He flew past Azmoun’s measured header to meet a pass from Claudinho on the right side.
Zenit and Chelsea are chasing the winning goal in the remaining matches. Chelsea are more effective in taking advantage of opportunities.
Goal!! The cooperation of two substitutes Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic was unstoppable in front of the Zenit penalty box. Pulisic then gave the ball to Werner. Outwitting one player, Werner fired a shot that bore fruit in the 85th minute.
The hosts didn’t just give up. In the final minutes of the match, disaster came for Chelsea in the 90+4 minute.
Goal!! Malang Sarr’s cross ball went to Magomed Ozdoev who stood in front of the penalty box. Ozdoev immediately fired a powerful volley. The speed of the ball could not be stopped by Kepa.
A score of 3-3 ended the match.
Lineup
Zenit: Mikhail Kerzhakov; Vyacheslav Karavaev, Dejan Lovren, Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Danil Krugovoy 65 ‘) z, Douglas Santos; Wilmar Barrios; Malcom (Magomed Ozdoev 79 ‘), Daler Kuzyaev (Aleksandr Yerokhin 79’), Wendel (Andrey Mostovoy 51 ‘), Claudinho; Sardar Azmoun (Artem Dzyuba 79 ‘).
Chelsea: Kepa Arrizabalaga; Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Malang Sarr; Reece James, Ross Barkley (Judge Ziyech 65′), Saul Niguez (Marcos Alonso 75′), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Christian Pulisic 65′); Mason Mount, Romelu Lukaku (Kai Havertz 75′), Timo Werner.
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