Chelsea are just one win away from the Champions League knockout stages ahead of this evening’s clash away at RB Salzburg. While progression into the next round might be something the club have come to expect, the situation was far from that straightforward upon Graham Potter’s appointment last month. Tonight’s opposition were in fact the former Brighton manager’s first in charge of the club and a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge left the Blues bottom of the group.
Back-to-back wins over AC Milan, however, now have Chelsea sitting top, while Salzburg are second. Unbeaten since replacing Thomas Tuchel, another three points in Austria would seal the Blues’ spot in first place, setting up a perhaps more favourable tie in the next round while offering Potter the chance to rest key players next week amid the frantic pre-World Cup fixture schedule.
Chelsea are without Kalidou Koulibaly tonight, though Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz all come in. Follow all the action live below, with Nizaar Kinsella providing expert analysis from Red Bull Arena.
Live updates
55 mins: Off the line from Adamu!
The Salzburg goalscorer proves his worth inside his own box as he stops Jorginho’s header from a corner going in.
Chelsea are banging down the door now trying to restore their lead.
You can’t take your eye off this second half for a moment.
Nizaar Kinsella at Red Bull Arena
Chelsea are punished for their lack of full-back or wing-back options on the goal when Wober crossed for Adamu.
Any of the back three or wide players could be blamed as RB Salzburg killed Chelsea against the run of play through a rapid transition.
51 mins: This is a brilliant game now, end-to-end stuff!
Sucic is denied before Chelsea pour forward and a combination of a great Dedic challenge and more brave Kohn goalkeeping thwarts Aubameyang at the last.
Jorginho then almost puts Chelsea back in front, but the ball didn’t cross the line!
Truly breathless stuff in Salzburg.
GOAL! RB Salzburg 1-1 Chelsea | Junior Adamu 48′
48 mins: Game on!
Salzburg quickly get over the disappointment of that denied penalty shout as they hit Chelsea with a devastating break.
It’s a sublime cross from the left from Wober, with Adamu then cushioning a volley beyond Kepa and into the bottom corner.
Chelsea could be four or five in front, but now it’s all square.
47 mins: Early second-half drama as Salzburg scream for a penalty after a bouncing ball strikes the hand of Kovacic, who knew very little about it.
Swiss referee Sandro Schärer waves away their shouts and VAR concurs. One player in the book for protesting.
Second half underway
Back off and running at the Red Bull Arena, with no changes from either side as yet.
As it stands, Chelsea will be going through to the last 16.
They will win the group if they beat Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb don’t defeat AC Milan later on.
The Blues have been dominant, but plenty of work still to do here.
A half-time stat attack courtesy of Opta Sports.
What a first half from Kovacic…
Nizaar Kinsella at Red Bull Arena
Chelsea played some pretty fluid one-touch football towards the end of the half which could be the blueprint for what Graham Potter is after.
It follows a run of matches where the Blues haven’t been creative in the final third and Salzburg could have been put to bed had Aubameyang had his shooting boots on.
Half-time
RB Salzburg 0-1 Chelsea
47 mins: The half-time whistle sounds after yet another brilliant Kohn save, this time low to his right with one hand to repel a fierce Aubameyang effort.
Dominant Chelsea would be out of sight here if it wasn’t for the Salzburg goalkeeper.
