CITY OLD BOYS ROCK CHELSEA
Dzeko and Kolarov lead Roma fightback but Blues nick point
ANTONIO CONTE must be sick of Manchester City. Three weeks after Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Chelsea in their own backyard, two former City players tore the Blues apart last night.
Edin Dzeko scored twice — one a stunning volley — while Aleksandar Kolarov hit Roma’s first goal and provided two assists as the Italians pushed Chelsea to the limit.
But the away side’s contribution to this scintillating match only told half the story. Everyone played their part. There cannot have been a better sporting spectacle anywhere in Europe last night.
This Champions League night probably came as a welcome relief to Conte after two Premier League defeats on the bounce had cast serious doubt on Chelsea’s title defence.
There have been no such problems in Europe for the Blues, and they knew another three points here — to go with two earlier wins — would see them take a huge step towards the knockout stages.
Whether this squad is strong enough to make an impression at the business end of the competition is an altogether different question. Conte (below) is happy to tell anyone who will listen that his squad lacks numbers. He called it ‘thin’ on Monday.
The Italian’s dissatisfaction at Chelsea’s faltering summer in the transfer market obviously has not eased. Does he have a point? The fact he started with Alvaro Morata last night, just three weeks after the striker suffered a hamstring injury, suggests he might.
Similarly, central defender David Luiz took up an unfamiliar role in midfield owing to N’Golo Kante’s hamstring injury, so 21-year-old Andreas Christensen made his sixth start of the season.
If it wasn’t for his agility, Conte may have joined Chelsea’s walking wounded. The manager was nearly taken out by Maxime Gonalons on the touchline and snarled back at the Roma midfielder, who was sensible to walk away. The Chelsea manager’s mood did not improve when Morata struck a tame effort at Alisson Becker with just the Roma keeper to beat.
Eventually, though, Conte was able to crack a smile thanks to Luiz, who took full advantage of abysmal defending by Juan Jesus to put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute. That is not to take anything away from Luiz’s cracking finish. Twenty yards, right foot, bottom corner. Brilliant.
Eden Hazard, playing in a central role behind Morata, fired narrowly wide following a typically pacy and powerful drive from midfield.
Roma were rattled, but they rallied when Radja Nainggolan, a player Conte tried and failed to sign in the summer, was foiled by Thibaut Courtois at his near post following Kevin Strootman’s defence-splitting pass in the 31st minute.
Moments later, Dzeko set up Diego Perotti, but the Argentine’s finish was tame. Roma were in the ascendancy and Conte looked distressed, so there was an element of relief to his celebration when Hazard fired home in the 37th minute to hand Chelsea a 2-0 advantage.
The finish, on the half-volley, was consummate and controlled after Morata’s attempted shot had deflected off former Tottenham player Federico Fazio.
Roma had looked capable of troubling Chelsea, but now the home side had breathing space. Well, they did for all of three minutes. There looked to be little danger when Kolarov picked up possession on the left touchline. One driving run past Cesar Azpilicueta and a deflected shot off Christensen later, and Roma were on the scoreboard.
The way Azpilicueta let the former City man breeze past him was unforgivable and Conte did not look in a forgiving mood as he marched down the tunnel at half-time. Eusebio Di Francesco’s team, meanwhile, had a spring in their step. Roma began the second period with intent, Gerson firing over in the 52nd minute before Courtois denied Kolarov with his feet.This was uncomfortable viewing for Conte and the fact Nainggolan was having a growing influence only made it worse.
Conte responded by taking off goalscorer Luiz and sending on Pedro as he reverted to his triedand-tested 3-4-3 formation. Not that Luiz was happy about it and he made his feelings abundantly clear as he trudged off.
The Brazilian shook hands with Conte but turned down goalkeeping coach Carlo Cudicini’s invitation to watch the rest of the match with his team-mates and he stormed down the tunnel instead.
There could be repercussions for Luiz this morning, but Dzeko’s stunning strike on 64 minutes soon became the main talking point. You sensed what he was thinking when Fazio floated an angled ball over Chelsea’s midfield and into the area. Eyes watching the ball all the way on to his left boot, Dzeko unleashed a volley that simply rocketed past Courtois. It took the breath away.
The away fans erupted, as did the Roma bench, and they were celebrating again six minutes later. Kolarov must have been licking his lips when Tiemoue Bakayoko fouled Perotti on the left touchline and the Serb’s sweet cross was met by Dzeko’s head to send Roma into a 70th-minute 3-2 lead.
The drama wasn’t over, though, and Hazard levelled five minutes later, escaping the attentions of Roma’s defence to nod home a Pedro cross. CHELSEA: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Cahill, Zappacosta (Rudiger 77), Fabregas, Luiz (Pedro 57), Bakayoko, Alonso, Morata, Hazard (Willian 80). Subs not used: Caballero, Kenedy, Batshuayi, Scott. Booked: Bakayoko. Goals: Luiz 11, Hazard 37, 75. ROMA: Alisson, Bruno Peres, Fazio, Juan Jesus, Kolarov, Nainggolan, Gonalons, Strootman (Florenzi 83), Gerson (Lorenzo Pellegrini 73), Dzeko, Perotti (El Shaarawy 88). Subs not used: Skorupski, Moreno, De Rossi, Under. Goals: Kolarov 40,Dzeko 64,70. Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).