Ranking Chelsea’s 5 best performers against AC Milan

Aiming for his or her first away win over an Italian facet since 2003, Chelsea traveled to AC Milan’s San Siro for his or her Champions League Group E conflict on Tuesday (October 11).

Graham Potter’s facet put in a commendable shift in Milan’s yard, deservedly securing a assured 2-0 victory. Jorginho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang discovered the again of the web to seal most factors for Chelsea in Champions League gameweek 4. The victory, mixed with RB Salzburg’s stalemate with Dinamo Zagreb, noticed the Blues climb to the highest of Group E (7 factors).

The west London outfit loved a assured begin to the sport however didn’t create any clear-cut openings within the first quarter-hour. Within the seventeenth minute, Mason Mount went on a dizzying run down the right-hand channel. Former Blues defender Fikayo Tomori grabbed him to interrupt his momentum, however he nonetheless managed to attract out an easy save from Milan stopper Ciprian Tatarusanu.

The referee, nonetheless, noticed the incident as a transparent obstruction of play and pointed to the spot. Moreover, he went forward and confirmed Tomori a straight crimson card for obstructing an apparent goalscoring alternative. Jorginho stepped as much as take the ensuing spot kick and confidently put it away to offer Chelsea the lead.

Ten-man Milan bought a gilt-edged alternative to pop up with a direct response within the twenty sixth minute. However former Blues striker Olivier Giroud did not direct his header on course from a mere six yards out. Eight minutes later, Aubameyang bought himself on the scoresheet, firing house from contained in the Milanese field. Simply earlier than the break, Mount went for purpose with a robust low shot. However Tatarusanu was fast to get down and parry it behind for a nook, which got here to nothing.

The Londoners made essentially the most of their one-man benefit by operating the hosts ragged, creating fairly a number of probabilities within the opening quarter-hour of the primary half. Conor Gallagher, Aubameyang, and Kovacic had their probabilities to increase the lead, however their ending left lots to be desired.

Milan’s finest probability within the second half got here within the sixtieth minute when Rafael Leao discovered Sergino Dest on the far publish. The American misplaced his cool in entrance of purpose and blazed his effort over the bar. The ultimate half-hour of the sport lacked depth, as neither group seemed too keen to vary the scoreline.

Listed here are 5 Chelsea gamers who impressed of their win on the San Siro on Tuesday night time:

#5 Reece James

Chelsea right-wingback Reece James oozed class towards Milan on the San Siro. He made encouraging runs into the ultimate third, impressed onlookers together with his game-reading potential, and performed the move that ultimately led to the foul on Mount within the seventeenth minute.

On matchday 4, James made a key move, delivered 4 correct lengthy balls, gained 5 duels, and made 29 correct passes (90.6% accuracy). He, sadly, suffered an harm within the second half and needed to be taken off within the 62nd minute.

#4 Kalidou Koulibaly

Former Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly produced a formidable efficiency towards a well-recognized foe on Tuesday night time. He circulated possession with ease, learn the sport expertly, blocked goalbound efforts, and was not afraid to place in a deal with when wanted.

Towards Milan, Koulibaly tried 4 tackles, blocked two photographs, and accomplished 75 passes (93.8% accuracy). He additionally precisely delivered 4 lengthy balls, gained 5 of six floor duels, and made a clearance.

#3 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Potter deployed Aubameyang in a conventional center-forward function on Tuesday. The previous Arsenal skipper chased each ball, put stress on the opposition, and scored a medical purpose to take the sport out of Milan’s attain.

Within the thirty fourth minute, Raheem Sterling cleverly left Mount’s low cross from Aubameyang, permitting the Gabon worldwide to beat the keeper on the close to publish. Aubameyang additionally contributed to the group’s build-up play, making 22 correct passes (88% accuracy) earlier than being changed by Kai Havertz within the 79th minute.

#2 Mason Mount

Chelsea poster boy Mason Mount was a handful for Milan on Tuesday. The tenacious attacker went on a robust run within the seventeenth minute, which led to Tomori’s foul and subsequent penalty. Simply previous the half-hour mark, he performed an excellent move to Aubameyang, which was confidently slotted house by the Gabonese.

On the San Siro, Mount made three key passes, gained 4 floor duels, delivered two correct lengthy balls, and tried two tackles. It was a close to good show by the scorching England worldwide.

#1 Jorginho

Midfield maestro Jorginho was at his majestic finest on Tuesday night time. The Italian’s Twenty first-minute penalty, which he coolly slotted into the bottom-left nook of the web, was immaculate. His distribution was spectacular, and he recovered the ball extra instances (7) than every other participant.

On Tuesday, Jorginho made two key passes, performed 88 correct passes (96.7% accuracy), precisely delivered each his tried lengthy balls, and accomplished a dribble. Moreover, he gained 5 of seven floor duels, made three interceptions, and tried two tackles.