Chelsea’s 2020/21 Champions League run can be regarded as one of the most impressive all-around campaigns in recent memory. The Blues’ triumph saw them dominate impressive opposition with suffocating defense and goals from all across the pitch. While they will still be dubbed the reigning champions of Europe for another eight months, last year’s tournament is irrelevant now. In fact, Chelsea should be stepping up its performances in light of every squad striving to beat it.
Nevertheless, the Blues’ showings up to this point have been less than impressive, to say the least. They struggled to break down Zenit during the first contest of the revived competition and lost to Juventus on matchday two. Thomas Tuchel’s men now have work to do in the four remaining games before the knockout stages. Malmo enters the ring as Chelsea’s latest challenger. The Swedish outfit will travel to Stamford Bridge and look to conquer the Blues on their home soil. Will Chelsea bounce back?
Here are three things to look for in the Blues’ Champions League clash with Malmo:
1. Goal difference
When the Champions League draw was made, Juventus was in horrendous form and Chelsea fans were still riding the high of their side’s Champions League and Super Cup triumphs. Therefore, it’s understandable that Blues supporters believed Group H was in the bag before play even began. Fast forward a few weeks and a couple of games and they’re no longer set up to win the group. Juventus‘ 1-0 victory over Chelsea in Italy before the international break means the Old Lady is now favorited to head into the knockout stages on top. However, if the Blues manage to come away with three points in the two sides’ second meeting next month, things could get interesting.
Chelsea only managed to beat Zenit by one goal at Stamford Bridge to kick off the competition. This is reason to worry when coupled with the team’s loss in Turin. The good thing about the UCL though is the fact that teams have six matchdays to turn things around. Goal difference could very well decide who finishes atop Group H and who enters the knockout stage draw as the unfortunate runner-up. The Blues need to thrash Malmo midweek if they want any chance at finishing first.
Malmo was always going to be the worst side of the bunch. Sweden’s most successful club drew the short end of the stick when it got grouped with the reigning Champions of Europe, Italy’s pride and joy and the Russian Premier League winner. There have been some surprises in this year’s tournament—namely Sheriff Tiraspol—but Malmo is not one of them. The Allsvenskan leaders have been beaten down by both Juventus (3-0) and Zenit (4-0) thus far, with arguably the worst thrashing yet to come. The Blues need to be mindful of goal difference as they take the pitch on Wednesday. Tuchel needs his side to go for it and put as many in the back of the net as possible. As it stands, Chelsea has the third-best goal differential (0) in Group H. It goes without saying this is nowhere near good enough. Any chance at topping the group hinges on scoring goals aplenty against the punching bag of Group H.