Many football fans envisaged Chelsea to gallop on this Maribor team who were destroyed upon their recent visit to the Bridge. Tonight was not quite as mimetic as that, a goal from Matic made sure they grabbed the helping of a single point, however a missed penalty from Hazard and perhaps detracted decisions were reasons three points were not ultimately bagged.
As expected Chelsea started with the upper hand, sparking an early sense of energy as they went at full charge for the first goal. Dominating possession, Chelsea were thwarted by a reserved Maribor side who laid low and pressed anxiously forward when possession was at their feet. The first significant chance came when Drogba headed to Fabregas on the left flank, for him to cross it into the the young Chelsea centre back Kurt Zouma, who headed narrowly over for a goal kick. This first period of the match had an energetic presence as Chelsea wanted to bag a goal from their offensive prowess. Maribor could of scored, Tavares’ dedication nearly payed of after out-muscling Fabregas, and charging between Cahill and Terry, with the deflected shot landing to Zahovic who’s effort was cleared of the line by Zouma.
Source: chelseafc.com
The second half took a surprising outcome in which Maribor took a shock lead. A left wing cross bounced in Chelsea’s penalty area which fell to Ibraimi, who utilised the surrounding area to take a yard to settle himself and then sweep it brilliantly past Petr Cech. This goal seemed to put Maribor’s attacking mentality up further as another cross flew in for Zahovic, who astonishly blazoned it over the bar, despite being clear through and just a few yards from the Chelsea goal-you don’t waste chances like that. Having bought Costa and Oscar on at half-time Chelsea could surely get back into it, this finally occurring as Terry knocked on a corner for Nemanja Matic to scoop in. Costa had a few chances, with the chances only being left to rue. Maribor’s veteran keeper Handanovic was a star player, saving a low struck effort from Hazard, and then in the embers of the game saving an 86th minute penalty from midfield maestro yet again. Chelsea should of had a goal through Costa when he was teed up by Fabregas, Fabregas being wrongly given the offside flag.
Not Chelsea’s finest game to savour so far this season, however they remain unbeaten. Mourinho played a strong side, with a definite emphasis on getting qualification confirmed quickly, his calibre of side differentiating from the savouring of players by Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, the clubs locking heads at the week-end.
With Sporting Lisbon having beaten Shalke, the draw does not have a destructive influence on this Chelsea side, however Mourinho’s moody interview post-match interview enforces the view that Chelsea are a team who are expected to beat opponents, especially a team as divided as Maribor.
Edward
Latest posts by Edward (see all)
- Eva Carneiro: A Disgrace - August 13, 2015
- Chelsea vs Swansea: Post Match - August 9, 2015
- Chelsea vs Stoke: Post Match Thoughts - April 5, 2015