ROSS RUINS BLUES MOOD
Chelsea have it all to do after Barkley’s late penalty howler
FRANK LAMPARD spoke about the emotion of the Champions League before he sent his young team out. But the only emotion he will have experienced last night was frustration.
The expectation and excitement was running high at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s first Champions League campaign for a year got under way.
But the exuberance and enthusiasm of youth – four of Lampard’s team were making their debuts in the competition – ran into the old heads of Valencia.
And Ross Barkley’s incredible late penalty miss rounded off the agony.
The Spanish club could hardly have arrived in worst possible shape, with their players refusing to sit next to new coach Albert Celades at the pre- match press conference – enraged after the sacking of Marcelino a week ago.
But, in their 13th season in the competition – they were runners- up in both 2000 and 2001 – they still knew a bit too much for Lampard’s young thrusters.
Rodrigo’s 74th- minute strike, as Chelsea’s defence once again this season went missing, has made an already tough group look even harder now, with trips to Lille and Ajax looming.
And a further blow for Lampard came courtesy of a nasty- looking injury to midfielder Mason Mount, who was forced to limp off after only 14 minutes.
Lampard won the Champions League in 2012 and lost in the final in 2008 after his penalty in that epic semi- final against Liverpool, six days after his mother had died, had helped put Chelsea through. The Blues
manager stuck by youth, keeping Fikayo Tomori in defence and sevengoal Tammy Abraham leading the attack.
The visitors from Spain barely touched the ball in the first half hour as Chelsea buzzed around, Abraham foiled at the post by Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
But Mount, one of Lampard’s young stars this season, limped off after a nasty challenge from ex- Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin.
Abraham nodded just wide from Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross but, for all their possession, Chelsea had not created that much in the first half- hour. Valencia came into the game as the half wore on, however, with several dangerous moves threatening to break through Chelsea’s defence, which has been fragile all season.
Then Willian, one of the old heads in the home side and excellent in the 5- 2 win at Wolves on Saturday, picked up the ball, drifted past three challenges and drilled a shot just wide.
Minutes later, as Mateo Kovacic found the Brazilian racing behind the Valencia defence, Willian controlled the ball superbly but blazed over the bar. And it was Willian again, who fired in a volley that Cillessen brilliantly parried as the half drew to a close.
Valencia began to sense they could get something out of the game, as Kevin Gameiro curled an angled drive just over the bar.
Chelsea, it seemed, had run out of ideas, for all their energy and verve.
Marcos Alonso’s free- kick had to be turned round the post by Cillessen, and substitute Pedro curled his effort wide – but Valencia kept breaking with intent.
And when Chelsea carelessly gave away another free- kick, Daniel Parejo curled it in for Rodrigo, who lost his marker and hooked his shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Salvation looked to have sprung out of nowhere when Tomori’s header struck Daniel Wass’ hand and referee Cuneyt Cakir – after consulting VAR – gave the spot kick. But substitute Barkley’s kick clipped the bar. Agony.