Chelsea won a massive game against Porto in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. The Blues scored two away goals, so the supporters were buzzing. Mason Mount’s superb strike put the visitors ahead relatively early. Then, Ben Chilwell put the game to bed with an absolute beauty of a goal. Chelsea could easily have blown the Portuguese side out of the water and in the process, essentially out of the Champions League, as well. A score of 4, 5 or 6-0 was not entirely out of the question in this one as chances were missed, as they have been all season long.
Nevertheless, the Blues’ goals were also very valuable in this first leg against the Dragoes. A two-goal advantage is very nice, but more could have sealed the deal. How could Chelsea have scored those additional goals against Porto and finished its opponents off for the tournament? Let’s take a brief look at three huge missed opportunities:
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1. Timo Werner
A couple of opportunities stand out in the game against Porto that dramatically pointed out the fact that Chelsea right now is the “gang that can’t shoot straight.” Sorry, I have used that term before, but it’s just too appropriate not to repeat here. As per his custom this season, Timo Werner—who I stand firm in backing and for keeping in this side next season—missed another sitter. This time, Werner headed over on a brilliant cross from the right side.
The cross was picture perfect. As a shorter player, Werner is not known for his heading prowess, but nevertheless, he got his head nicely on this ball from among the tall trees in front of the goal and simply skied it. He didn’t shank it. If about three or four feet lower, it’s a goal and breakout of small—but very important—dimensions. It’s come to the point with Werner that one almost expects that type of a result, while seemingly hoping against hope that he’ll hit the back of the net.
2. Christian Pulisic
The American star has not exactly lit up the Premier League this season after a (nearly) blistering conclusion of the last. Absent a pulled hamstring against Arsenal, Chelsea may have taken silverware from Arsenal in the FA Cup final. A tweaked hammy took him off and the rest, as they say, is lousy history. Yet, before that unfortunate injury, Pulisic had been magnificent from the restart for Chelsea. He was electric on the pitch; a more direct style was punctuated by finishing brilliance. His efforts complemented those of Willian and the inimitable Olivier Giroud, helping propel the Blues unexpectedly to a top four finish in the league.
Against Porto, Pulisic was inserted in the second half along with Giroud to replace the underwhelming German forwards Werner and Kai Havertz. Once again though, bad luck pursued Chelsea. Pulisic crashed down the right wing and let go a tremendous blistering shot that—of course—hit the crossbar, taking away an opportunity to increase the Blues’ lead. Seeing that had to leave spectators shaking their heads or putting their heads in their hands once again, basically saying, “what the…?”
3. Cesar Azpilicueta
The reinsertion of a back line of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta immediately stabilized the defense in stark contrast to the debacle against West Brom. It seemed the clean sheet defense was back and ultimately won out—thankfully.
Another opportunity to score was also aborted by Azpilicueta again on a cross from the right though. Not known for his scoring acumen, or his attacking acumen really at all, the captain got into position to head in a low-cross near the far post and put the game—and maybe the two-legged tie—away. He seemed well-positioned to just head this lower one in, but in classic 2021 Chelsea style, the “goal-line ghost” prompted him to head wide. This miss rounded up the three potential “should have been goals” for the Blues that cost them the opportunity to finish the quarterfinals in one tie. It seems surreal that Chelsea is missing such gilded chances so regularly. It must be due to the intervention of a paranormal second keeper that is sending balls, high wide and off the crossbar and posts.
With a mere handful of games left, there is still time to crack the code, unlock the combination and open the door to a massive scoring outburst. Chelsea is overdue for a laughable 8-0 scoreline—no doubt about it. While wins are wonderful, it would be nice to enjoy a blowout for a change, maybe just once before next season. Is that too much to ask?