Troubled Chelsea ease past Lille into Champions League quarter-finals
Chelsea put their off-field troubles to 1 aspect to seal a place within the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday as a Cesar Azpilicueta purpose clinched a 2-1 win at Lille within the second leg of their last-16 tie, and a 4-1 mixture victory. READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS SET TO BEAT ORLANDO PIRATES TO BAFANA BAFANA STAR…
Chelsea put their off-field troubles to 1 aspect to seal a place within the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday as a Cesar Azpilicueta purpose clinched a 2-1 win at Lille within the second leg of their last-16 tie, and a 4-1 mixture victory.
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Reeling from the impression of UK authorities sanctions imposed on their Russian billionaire proprietor Roman Abramovich, the London membership appeared rattled as they fell behind in northern France to a first-half Burak Yilmaz penalty.
Lille had given themselves an opportunity of salvaging the tie following their 2-0 defeat within the first leg at Stamford Bridge final month, however Christian Pulisic equalised on the evening in first-half stoppage time and captain Azpilicueta received the winner within the 71st minute.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions exit, and following Paris Saint-Germain’s beautiful exit final week it means there can be no French membership in Friday’s draw for the Champions League quarter-finals.
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In distinction, defending European champions Chelsea make it three Premier League golf equipment within the hat as they be part of Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis within the final eight.
“It has not been a traditional previous couple of weeks however we’ve to do what’s in our fingers, which is practice the perfect we are able to. Tonight it was a troublesome recreation and naturally we’re joyful to undergo,” Azpilicueta informed British broadcaster BT Sport.
“This group fights in opposition to every part, we all know we’ve to do the perfect we are able to on the pitch, we stick collectively and hopefully find yourself having an excellent season.”
Coach Thomas Tuchel had insisted there may very well be no excuses for his crew regardless of the Blues being left in turmoil after Abramovich’s belongings have been frozen, with Chelsea solely being allowed to proceed working by the British authorities beneath a particular licence.
Chelsea have been banned from promoting tickets
They’ve been banned from promoting tickets and have been informed they may not spend greater than £20 000 per match on journey prices, throwing their plans for this journey throughout the English Channel into some disarray.
Earlier than kick-off on Wednesday it emerged that the Ricketts household, homeowners of Main League Baseball crew the Chicago Cubs, have been main a consortium trying to purchase the membership whereas British athletics nice Sebastian Coe introduced his involvement in a rival bid.
On the pitch Lille seemed decided so as to add to Chelsea’s woes as they began at a superb tempo and Yilmaz twice got here shut within the early levels.
The guests misplaced Danish defender Andreas Christensen to damage simply after the half-hour mark, and his alternative, Trevoh Chalobah, was booked for flattening Jonathan David inside seconds of approaching.
Lille then received a penalty within the thirty eighth minute when Italian referee Davide Massa was alerted by the VAR to a handball within the field by Jorginho.
He pointed to the spot after reviewing the pictures, and veteran Turkish striker Yilmaz made no mistake.
But the house aspect, crucially, couldn’t maintain their lead till the break.
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Within the third added minute Jorginho slid a terrific move into the trail of Pulisic within the field, and the USA worldwide discovered the far nook.
That took the sting out of the sport and Lille’s remaining hopes of a comeback have been ended after they misplaced two of their defenders, Zeki Celik and Sven Botman, to damage simply earlier than the hour mark.
Xeka rattled the publish with a header from a Yilmaz cross within the 63rd minute however identical to their solely earlier last-16 look – a defeat in opposition to Manchester United in 2007 – Lille discovered English opposition to be simply too robust.
“The gamers may be actually proud as a result of they performed rather well in opposition to an incredible crew. We didn’t should lose tonight,” insisted Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.
Lose they did as Chelsea received their second purpose when substitute Mason Mount’s cross from the left was turned in by the knee of Azpilicueta on the again publish, and the skipper ran throughout to rejoice with the travelling help excessive within the far nook of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse