The best match of this season’s UEFA Champions League took place on Tuesday at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea met Ajax in the fourth match of the group stage. After winning the away match against Ajax, Chelsea were confident to get all three points against them at Stamford Bridge. However, Frank Lampard made a big mistake ahead of the match as he did not even keep Emerson Palmeiri in the squad of the Blues against Ajax in this match. On the other hand, he started Marcos Alonso in this important match.
On the other hand, Ajax came with a strong attacking lineup at Stamford Bridge. They also needed all three points from this match. In this season, Chelsea are facing difficulties to defend set-pieces properly. At the 2nd minute of the match, Ajax took the full advantage of it as Tammy Abraham tried to clear the ball but it went towards his own goal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga was not able to do anything at that moment. However, Chelsea came back in the match quickly as Christian Pulisic was fouled inside the penalty box. Jorginho took the penalty and converted it successfully to equalise the scoreline at the 4th minute of the match.
After that, it was completely a show dominated by Ajax in the first half of the match. Chelsea were allowing them too much to come inside their penalty box and they had to pay for it. Quincy Promes scored from a brilliantly measured ball given by Ziyech. After that, Marcos Alonso gave away another silly free-kick at a dangerous position.
Ziyech took the shot; the ball curved a lot to hit the crossbar. Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the flight of the ball and the ball hit straight to his face in the rebound. It went into the goal in the unluckiest manner. Chelsea were down to 3-1 at Stamford Bridge after the end of the first half of the match.
At the 55th minute, Ajax again split the defence of Chelsea. Donny Van de Beek scored the fourth goal of Ajax in this match. Frank Lampard brought in Reece James in place of Marcos Alonso just after the end of the first half. So, Azpilicueta shifted to the left-back position.
Cesar Azpilicueta scored the second goal of Chelsea from a brilliant move of Chelsea at the 65th minute of the match. At the 71st minute, Daley Blind was shown a yellow card. It was his second yellow card and he was sent off. The play continued and Callum Hudson Odoi’s shot struck the hand of Joel Veltman in the penalty box.
Veltman was also shown a direct red card and the penalty was awarded to Chelsea. Jorginho again scored from the spot to make it 3-4. After that, Chelsea were desperate to score another goal. They got it at the 79th minute when Reece James’ strike went directly towards the Goal. Chelsea tried to snatch the winning goal but it never came. The match ended with a scoreline of 4-4 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, Ajax and Valencia all three teams are now at 7 points and they have equal chances of qualifying to the next round.
