Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League campaign got underway with a convincing and well-deserved win over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge. After a poor start to their group phase, with a 0-1 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb ending Thomas Tuchel’s reign before a draw at home to Red Bull Salzburg, new manager Graham Potter knew victory was critical.
Chelsea delivered in style, with England right-back Reece James shining as the team eventually defeated Milan. Centre-back Wesley Fofana scored his first goal for the Premier League side after 24 minutes when Milan failed to clear a corner, but his night was cut short by injury. Right before half-time, Internazionale midfielder Rade Krunic almost equalised right on half-time for the Italians.
The second half belonged to the Blues, and James in particular. After 56 minutes, he crossed for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to finish easily. And five minutes later, he was the finisher with a powerful strike that flew high past Milan keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu at his near post.
“For me, he [James] is the best in the world at the moment. He is doing an amazing job. A goal and assist today, he is on top form,”
Auabameyang told Hayters after the game.
Meanwhile, England midfielder and Chelsea target Jude Bellingham scored one goal and assisted another as Borussia Dortmund cruised past LaLiga side Sevilla to maintain their lead in Champions League Group G.
Bellingham set up Raphael Guerreiro’s opener before scoring Dortmund’s second goal. Edin Terzic’s went on to secure a big win thanks to goals from Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, who came on either side of Youssef En-Nesyri’s header.
Julen Lopetegui, the manager of Sevilla, was fired less than an hour after the game got over. It brings to an end his three-year reign as manager, during which he led the club to the Europa League title in 2020.
