Champions League holder Chelsea traveled to the Gazprom Arena hoping to qualify for the Round of 16 as the Group H winner, but instead, the Blues were held to a 3-3 draw against Zenit. The London side started the game in dream fashion as Timo Werner gave Chelsea the lead in the second minute from a Ross Barkley corner. However, the large number of changes meant that the team lacked chemistry, which was very evident after the first 10 minutes as Zenit dominated the game going forward. With less than 10 minutes to go in the first half, Zenit equalized through Claudinho. The hosts then took the lead just minutes later as Sardar Azmoun was clear through on goal, able to round Kepa Arrizabalaga and score his side’s second of the night.
The Blues started the second half with purpose and with less than half an hour remaining, Romelu Lukaku leveled the match. Timo Werner completed the turnaround with a sharp finish via Christian Pulisic’s through ball, but in the dying minutes of the game, Magomed Ozdoev’s sublime strike from the edge of the box made sure that Juventus ended up as the group winner.
Here’s how each of the players fared against a dangerous Zenit side:
Kepa Arrizabalaga (Goalkeeper): 8/10
Kepa Arrizabalaga came in to replace Edouard Mendy in goal and was pretty much the deciding factor in Chelsea not being majorly embarrassed in the first half. If not for Arrizabalaga, Zenit could have scored at least four goals as he saved two one-on-one situations. In the second half too, when the game was level, the Spaniard denied Zenit from taking the lead. He kept the Blues in the match until the end.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Right centerback): 6.5/10
Cesar Azpilicueta was the most experienced player in the back line on Wednesday and it was showcased in his performance. Throughout the game, the club captain looked comfortable, even when Zenit was on the assault in the first half. But with the team conceding three goals, it’s difficult to say that Azpilicueta—or any member of the defense—had a particularly good game.
Andreas Christensen (Centerback): 5/10
The Danish centerback started his third consecutive game for the Blues amid his contractual problems. Unfortunately, it seems that the contractual speculations are affecting his game as he is playing nowhere near the form shown earlier this season. Christensen kept switching off far too often and his poor marking allowed Azmoun to race through one-on-one with Arrizabalaga to give Zenit the lead. He needs to improve drastically but first sort out the contractual situation.
Malang Sarr (Left centerback): 3/10
Malang Sarr made just his fourth start for the club this season and was shambolic for most of the game. Positionally speaking, the French defender was an embarrassment as he was caught out many times, which put the defense under immense pressure. Sarr played Claudinho onside for Zenit’s first goal and didn’t even make an effort to run back to the goal when Sardar was through on goal. In the second half, Sarr was a bit better, but it was clear as day from this performance that he is not a player of Chelsea’s quality at this moment in time.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Right wingback): 6/10
Callum Hudson-Odoi—playing as a right wingback—had an anonymous game. The youngster was barely involved in any of the play throughout his time on the pitch. He did get himself booked in the first half, which prompted the manager to replace him with Christian Pulisic in the 64′.
Reece James (Central midfielder): 6/10
Normally a right-sided defender, Reece James played as a central midfielder in Russia due to the lack of options in the area given the Blues’ injuries. It was certainly a different sight to see James playing in midfield, but it was far from unfamiliar as he took advantage of his physicality to play better. However, it was clear as day that the English fullback was not overly familiar with the position and he even felt like a passenger at times.
Ross Barkley (Central midfielder): 6.5/10
Ross Barkley had the best of starts to the game as he delivered the pinpoint corner to give Chelsea the lead through Werner, but that was as good as it got for the English midfielder. After the opening 10 minutes of the game, Barkley was anonymous until he gave away possession, which started the build-up to Zenit’s second goal. In the second half, Barkley had a bit more of the ball and played a good one-two with Werner to set up Chelsea’s equalizer. He was replaced by Hakim Ziyech in the 64′.
Saul Niguez (Left wingback): 7.5/10
With an injury-ravaged team, Saul Niguez played as a left wingback and actually played well. At the start of the first half, the Spaniard came close to scoring but his heavy touch denied him. Throughout the game, Saul was good defensively whenever called upon and if he improves his crossing ability then he can expect some more chances in the near future. Saul was replaced by Marcos Alonso in the 74′.
Christian Pulisic (Right wingback): 7/10
Pulisic came on for Hudson-Odoi in the 64′ and failed to have much of an impact on the game until he assisted Werner’s second goal.
Hakim Ziyech (Central midfielder): 6/10
Ziyech came on for Barkley in the 64′. He didn’t have much of an impact on the game, but he kept the tempo smooth and linked up play well.
Marcos Alonso (Left wingback): 6/10
Alonso replaced Saul in the 75′ as Thomas Tuchel tried to bring on a more experienced player in the left wingback position. The Spaniard did well the hold the lead until Zenit’s late equalizer.
Romelu Lukaku (Right striker): 7.5/10
Romelu Lukaku made his first start since he faced Malmo in October in which he suffered an injury that had kept him out since. Playing with Werner up top, the Belgian international had a good game and linked up well throughout the game. Lukaku did look rusty at times but that’s to be expected of a player who is making his first start in nearly two months. Factor in the fact Lukaku is still relatively new to the team and the situation begs for patience. In the end, he worked hard and ended his “goal drought” by equalizing for Chelsea in the second half.
Mason Mount (Central attacker): 6.5/10
Mason Mount came in on a good run of form, scoring two goals and making two assists in his last two matches. The England international should have scored another one in the first half, but could not from very close range after a brilliant save by the Zenit keeper denied him. After that, Mount remained somewhat quiet throughout the game, although he didn’t do much wrong altogether.
Timo Werner (Left striker): 9/10
Werner started the game well as he gave Chelsea the lead in the opening 85 seconds of the contest. He tapped in Barkley’s corner from close range to give the Blues the dream start they were hoping for to the night. Throughout the game, the German looked lively as usual and assisted Lukaku’s goal in the second half. Werner gave Chelsea the lead in the 85′ with a sharp finish but to no avail. He was by far the best Chelsea player on the pitch on Wednesday evening.
Kai Havertz (Striker): 6/10
Kai Havertz replaced Lukaku in the 75′ and did not have much time to influence the game.
What rating would you give each of the players? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!