In probably the most important game of the season to date for Chelsea, Graham Potter’s team were provided an opportunity to impress – and boy, did they impress. From the start of
the game AC Milan were the dominant side with possession, but could not create a clear-cut chance.
And, in the 19th minute, ex-CFC defender Fikayo Tomori gave away a questionable penalty by fouling Mason Mount and got sent off for the foul. Jorginho coolly converted the penalty to give the visitors the lead and from then on, the West London side was on top even if they didn’t have the ball. Just past the half-an-hour mark, the Blues doubled their lead through Aubameyang,
with a fluid pass and play between the front three.
In the second half, the Italian champions came out all guns blazing but lacked that clinical edge in the final third, missing quality chances to get back in the game. And as for Chels’, the English side managed the game very well and sizzled out any Rossoneri attack, winning the game 2-0 and going top of Group E. Here is how each Chelsea player fared in another impressive display against Milan at San Siro:
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea (Goalkeeper): 7/10
Kepa Arrizabalaga had nothing to do throughout the game as Chelsea dominated the
game and Milan did not manage to create any clear-cut chances, only taking a shot on
target towards the dying moments of the game. Another solid outing from the
Spanish goalkeeper who now seems to be the preferred goalkeeper to Graham
Potter.
2. Thiago Silva (Centerback): 8/10
The Brazilian veteran was as always solid in his game, making his 100th appearance in
the Champions League against his former side. His senior figure is exactly what
Chelsea needed in the backline in such a crucial match.
3. Trevoh Chalobah (Centerback): 7/10
Trevoh Chalobah had the difficult task of handling AC Milan’s main attacking threat,
Rafael Leao. For most parts of the game, the English defender did well but
sometimes got himself in danger too. All in all, a decent performance to secure the
clean sheet.
4. Kalidou Koulibaly (Centerback): 8/10
Kalidou Koulibaly seemed very comfortable on the pitch, being at the right place at
the right time, and even did well in tackling when the Italian side was on the break
helping the likes of Chalobah and James in defending.
5. Reece James (Right Wingback): 7/10
Just like last week, Chelsea’s right side of defense was tasked with dealing with AC
Milan’s most dangerous attacker Rafael Leao and again the West London side came
out on top with Reece James eliminating his threat. The England international was
dangerous with his deliveries in the box but a concerning site for CFC as he came
off injured for Cesar Azpilicueta in the 62nd minute.
6. Mateo Kovacic (Central Midfielder): 7/10
The Croatian international did well in the middle of the field, winning fouls and
setting the pace of the game, making the Milan side more frustrated and forcing
them to concede fouls. Struggled a bit when Leao played centrally but overall a good
performance from Kovacic.
7. Jorginho (Central Midfielder): 8/10
Jorginho coolly converted the penalty to give Chelsea the all-important lead in the
match and from then onwards the Blues were completely in control with the Italian
midfielder controlling the tempo of the game from the middle.
8. Ben Chilwell (Left Wingback): 7.5/10
When initially having to deal with Brahim Diaz, Chilwell seemed a bit off but still did
well. But after Diaz got subbed off, Chilwell did well in traveling up and down the
pitch. Was involved in both ends of the pitch faring well throughout the game.
9. Mason Mount (Right Winger): 8/10
Mason Mount’s resurgence continues under Graham Potter and again on a big
European night, the England international was the main creative man up front.
Mount did well to win a dodgy penalty by shielding the ball from Tomori who got
sent off for the tackle and then was involved in a great pattern of play to assist
Aubameyang’s goal. With him being on a yellow card, Mount was replaced by Conor
Gallagher at halftime.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Striker): 7/10
Aubameyang continued his rich vein of goalscoring form in front of
the goal, scoring three goals in three games running. His great chemistry with the
likes of Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling was evident today with their passing
pattern.
11. Raheem Sterling (Left Winger): 6/10
Raheem Sterling had a very ineffective game against the Italian side and got involved
only in the build-up play for Chelsea. The only time Sterling came close to scoring
was when a pass to him was overplayed on which Aubameyang capitalized and
scored CFC’s second. Raheem Sterling was replaced by Ruben Loftus Cheek in the
62 nd minute.
12. Kai Havertz (Striker): NA
Kai Havertz came on for ‘Auba’ in the 79th minute and was
barely involved in any significant play which could influence the game.
13. Ruben Loftus Cheek (Central Midfielder): 7/10
Ruben Loftus Cheek came on for Raheem Sterling in the 62nd minute and brought in
some physicality to the Chelsea midfield to completely put the game out of the Italians’ hands.
14. Cesar Azpilicueta (Right Wingback): 6/10
Cesar Azpilicueta came on for the injured Reece James in the 62nd minute and
secured the right side of the CFC defense by sometimes making runs forward.
15. Marc Cucurella (Left Wingback): NA
Marc Cucurella came on for Ben Chilwell in the 89th minute and didn’t get much time
to influence the game.
16. Conor Gallagher (Right Winger): /10
Conor Gallagher came on for Mason Mount at halftime and in the open few minutes
only got involved in the attacking half and almost tripled Chelsea’s lead. For the
remaining part, Gallagher did well keeping the energy levels high and not conceding any goals.