Football News: My Reflection of the Chelsea v Red Bull Salzburg Match

I thought I'd posted some comments on last night's match from the train on the way home, but seems not. On reflection, perhaps this was just as well given the way me and many others were feeling.

Throwing away a game Chelsea really needed to win to improve our group position, and yet again tons of possession yielding just the one goal while a defensive error lets our 'lesser' opposition get a draw. Reminded me of several home games in the English Premier League last season. So my mood was not a good one and my attempted posting matched it.

But am a bit calmer today and able to reflect on the overall evening a bit better perhaps. Memorable pre-match moments included seeing the Red Bull Salzburg fans, quite a few wearing black, walking in silence - ie rather than usual away fans chanting - in respect for UK mourning of the death of Queen Elizabeth. Then two ancient Chelsea Pensioners planting wreaths at first on touchline, but then further in on the pitch and a perfectly respected - by all - minute's silence. You could have heard the proverbial pin drop. Followed by some informal singing of the national anthem and good CFC chants. And the game began.

And for the first 15 minutes or so CFC played with energy, swift passing and intent that promised a fast start with some goals. Trouble is, they didn't come through a mix of very good shape kept by Salzburg; whole team involved, pressing and harrying when they could, and some indecision around and in the box. Point being that of course the Aubameyang, Havertz and Sterling (although supposedly LWB, played more as a LW) combo yet another very new one and it looked as though at times they were unsure what to expect from each other, perhaps especially Aubameyang.

But the goal didn't come in this period when CFC looked so well on top, and gradually Salzburg began to grow a bit in confidence and posed a threat of their own. Not least because our 3 at the back often looking exposed by advance wing backs, perhaps especially on Sterling's side as he was generally more advanced, got back less effectively than Reece. But also because in general we looked a bit disjointed and lacking some creative spark from midfield. A fit Kante remains a big miss, though Kovacic and Mount harassed and worked like demons, they didn't create much by way of clearcut chances. Meanwhile Kepa looked a bit Mendy-like at times with ball at feet, and the three man backline at times didn't offer him much help with easy out balls.

The second half we created more, and it all looked so promising when Sterling scored after some magic by Reece down the right wing. Then Broja clear through and was slow to shoot - or so it seemed from where I was sitting, though a good tackle from Salzburg defender too involved - which would surely have sealed the win. But again we failed to finish off an opposition by scoring enough, in this case a second at that stage, or by doing a Mourinho style truly determined and well shaped managing of the game defensively. They scored because in part a rare error by Silva, who up until then had been his usual outstanding self, and we bottled a few more chances to win it before the end, not least through Ziyech.

So there were many elements of the same old, same old about this performance in some ways though I did feel that this was not so much from lack of sufficient effort / intensity - which it sometimes was last season - but more because of ongoing problem of no Haaland-like (or Costa in pomp, or Drogba) like striker or Lampard-like / de Bruyne-like (etc.) midfielder creator / scorer. Then the matter of new faces for a new manager still to blend together with old ones, and a new manager at CFC for just a few days who has understandably yet to learn enough about all the players in his squad and what combinations, and formations, might suit them best.

Good that Graham Potter did not criticise his team after this his first game, and we surely have to give him and them some time before judging whether progress can be made this season after very underwhelming start; itself in part a result of uncertainty over comings and goings and perhaps some unhappiness of some with Thomas Tuchel.

Graham was never going to become Harry Potter for us overnight. It would be crazy to judge him before he's had a considerably lengthier spell (magical we hope?!) at the club before we can do that. But we and he will obviously want to see improvement over next two months, a team and team spirit forged, right players picked etc. We'll need some luck as well as magic to get out of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and keep the challenge alive for top 4 of the Premier League.

Written by JBS September 15 2022 20:57:16