Chelsea claimed three important points against Ajax to go to the top of the table of their group in the Champions League. It was a great victory for Frank Lampard’s boys and the Blues would certainly cherish these three points for a long time. Ajax was one of the semi-finalists of the previous season’s Champions League. However, they lost two of their star players Frenkie De Jong and De Ligt in this summer transfer window. The Dutch side is trying hard to cope without those two players in this season.
The Story Of The Game That Chelsea Won Against Ajax
Frank Lampard fielded the same side without any change on Wednesday. Emerson Palmieri remained on the bench despite being a match fit. On the other hand, David Neres and Hunteelar were on the bench for Ajax in this match. The manager of Ajax used Dusan Tadic as the false nine. Quincy Promes was there right behind him. Chelsea started the match on a positive note. They were playing well, but there were some problems in the final third. Callum Hudson Odoi and William were deployed at both wings.
Both of them did not have a great day in the field. Callum Hudson Odoi got so much free space ahead of him, but he failed to utilize that on the given day. Ajax could have got the lead at the end of the first half in the first half as Quincy Promes netted the ball perfectly from a deflected cross. However, VAR disallowed the goal as he was marginally in an offside position. The first half ended with a scoreline of 0-0 at Johan Cruyff Arena.
In the second half, Ajax tried to press hard. However, they were not clinical enough. The back four of Chelsea were looking solid tonight. It was a brilliant display from the central defensive pair comprising of Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori. Ajax won back to back two matches in the Champions League group stage this season. However, they were not up to the mark against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Who Were The Main Stars Of This Match For Frank Lampard?
Both the teams failed to break the deadlock and the managers decided to bring in some new faces. Frank Lampard brought in Christian Pulisic and Michy Batshuayi in place of Willian and Tammy Abraham. These two substitutions clicked brilliantly for Chelsea. Michy Batshuayi missed a sitter with only the goalkeeper to beat.
However, he made it up with the winner at the 86th minute of the match. The pressure of Chelsea’s attacks were increasing after the inclusion of Christian Pulisic. Pulisic provided a brilliant ball from the left flank towards Michy Batshuayi. Marcos Alonso played a dummy and left the ball for Michy Batshuayi. Batshuayi’s shot hit the upper part of the net and Chelsea got the important lead in this match.
Frank Lampard brought in Reece James in place of Callum Hudson-Odoi to close the game. Chelsea was able to keep the lead until the end of 90 minutes. On the other hand, Valencia dropped two points against Lille in the other match of their group. Now, the road of qualification in the next round of the Champions League will be easier for the Blues.
