Chelsea vs Malmo Report: Chelsea FC Match Report
Chelsea beat Malmo by a scoreline of 3-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate to progress to the next stage of the Europa League. They began this crucial tie with their usual share of possession. While they did get on the ball a lot, there was no real threat on the Malmo defence early on at Stamford Bridge.
A few minutes into the game, the away team started to come back into the game. The Blues were extremely sloppy on the ball and despite constant orders from Maurizio Sarri on the sidelines, their shabbiness continued.
Malmo kept on plugging away and created a few clear chances to score but were unable to finish. For all the big names in Chelsea’s team, they were getting schooled by the European minnows.
Later into the game though, Chelsea began to control possession again and using the right flank as their main weapon, they attacked the Malmo defence hard. Teenage sensation Callum Hudson-Odoi was tearing the Malmo defenders apart with his blistering pace and intricate footwork.
In spite of all the effort from both sides, neither had anything to show for it. Chelsea’s attack lacked an edge but they did dominate possession. Over the whole half, they didn’t create a single clear-cut opportunity.
Chelsea kept pushing but were unable to create anything meaningful and as this game headed into half-time, it looked like one that was heading towards a stalemate. Despite Chelsea’s big names, Malmo did look more likely to open the scoring in the first half.
In the second half, Chelsea continued to dominate the ball but Malmo still looked a threat on the counter-attack and for all their positive forward work, they didn’t really create anything until the 55th minute.
A quick Chelsea counter sprung through N’Golo Kante, who charged at the Malmo defence before playing it wide to Willian. He then smashed it across goal and Olivier Giroud was on the spot to tuck it in to make it 1-0 to the home side.
As Chelsea continued to pile on the pressure, Malmo’s resilience finally broke down and the Blues were able to pass the ball through them at will and this paid off in the 74th minute.
They got a free-kick on the edge of the area and surprisingly, despite the presence of Willian, it was Ross Barkley who stepped up to take the kick. He curled a beautiful shot over the wall to make it 2-0 to the Blues.
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In the 84th minute, Willian spread the play out to Hudson-Odoi on the opposite flank. He drove into the Malmo box before unleashing a venomous shot that caught the goalkeeper off guard and suddenly, it was 3-0 on the night and that’s how this game of two halves ended.
Here’s how some relieved Chelsea fans reacted to this impressive home victory:
Very impressed with Sarri’s substitutions and choices tonight. Give him time. #SupportingSarri 👏🏼
— #CarefreeDaily 🚬 (@EmenaIo) February 21, 2019
CHO, Ruben & Emerson deserves to be in the first team 😤
— Anna (@ann_Errr) February 21, 2019
We don’t have a crisis we just have a team selection problem, the hunger and energy in our young lads is incredible.
— (Retired) Brigadier General (@BlackPriide) February 21, 2019
The bad thing is though Hudson Odoi, Emerson, Christensen probably still won’t play on Sunday 🙄
— Conor Terry (@ConorTerry1) February 21, 2019
Well that wraps this one up, it’s true Malmo might not be the biggest scalp we’ve ever taken, but at times like these, almost any scalp will help with the revival. It’s rather like everyone at the club needed this one to be a good one!
— Kirk W Smith (@kwsmithwriter) February 21, 2019
I’m gonna keep saying it. If he wants to play the 4-3-3 , it should be kovacic kante and loftus cheek against man city cos Loftus is very strong to bully mancity’s midfield and kante will deal with benardo. While kovacic is very good running around ,Using Jorginho will be bad
— Bimbo Bimbo (@BimboBimbo007) February 21, 2019
Full-Time Thoughts:
— ForeverBlue⁸⁴ 🏴🇮🇹 (@sazio1984) February 21, 2019
– Second Half > First Half. No question.
– Kante was a machine tonight. Duracell battery – limitless mode.
– CHO HAS TO start on Sunday. Do the right thing Maurizio.
– Whisper it quietly but… we saw moments of SarriBall. 👀
This guy odoi he needs time he’s amazing
— ᴹᴼᴴᴬᴬ ᴹᴬᴳᴬᴺ🕊🇸🇴💙 (@loyal_Mohaa) February 21, 2019
Also sarri did well 2night.
Keep goin boys💙✔
