Frank Lampard was in trouble rejecting proposals for a defensive crisis for Chelsea on Monday.
Proceeding from this, he has a point. The clean sheets in the Champions League cannot be breathe, especially for the Chelsea side which has been spilled at best in recent months.
Inevitably, of course, this was the completely uninspiring start of Chelsea’s European campaign.
Chelsea striker Timo Werner was unable to turn in the first half after he got a good chance against Sevilla
Chelsea’s summer contracting, Edward Mindy, started with the Blues and made a splendidly breakthrough debut in the first half
Kai Havertz tries to advance the ball while under pressure from Sevilla’s Nemanja Godelli in the first half on the bridge.
Blues midfielder Jorginho wrestles over the ball with Sevilla’s Ivan Rakitic, who returned to the club in the summer from Barcelona.
Hakim Ziyech was offered the summer signature in the second half but was unable to score a goal in the final stages of the match
But for the team that conceded seven goals in two matches against the final winner Bayern Munich during its previous participation in this competition, this result will come with a reasonable degree of optimism.
And also, for Lampard – this is his first goalless draw in 63 games as Chelsea manager.
Lampard hopes that this result, however tedious, will serve as a starting point for a team that has clearly struggled in defense.
In fact, when the Blues coach reviews the video for this draw, he’ll be relieved of the way his team held out at a humble 45-minute start against a well-qualified Sevilla side who kept the ball for the fun.
Chelsea stood firm when they faltered in recent weeks. That would mean the world to Lampard.
“Clean sheets are something you always strive for.” “Against a very good team, we had a very good defensive performance,” Lampard said.
Having done a thin dig at Kepa Arrizabalaga at his pre-match press conference, the Chelsea manager did nothing to mend his beleaguered goalkeeper confidence in shooting by knocking down Edward Mendy, who had only trained twice before Tuesday night’s match after recovering. Of injury.
Lampard is clearly pinning his hopes on Mendy to solve a problem that has been bothering him for nearly 12 months, and it is clear that the Senegalese are the first in Chelsea.
Based on this evidence, it appears to be a safer option than Arrizabalaga. Its handling was safe, its distribution was encouraging and its firing stop.
There are even bigger tests ahead of us, starting at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Likewise, Thiago Silva’s return to Blues’ rearguard was another calculated choice decision by Lampard.
Rich in Champions League proportions, the Brazilian reached the final with Paris Saint-Germain last season, if anyone knows how to negotiate in the early stages of this competition, it is Silva.
The veteran defender was moving in hair on Tuesday night, but at the age of 36, how many times can Lampard take him out on the field?
Werner attempts his shot on the edge of the penalty area under pressure from three Seville defenders in the first period.
Havertz started playing and was influential in his Champions League debut with Chelsea on Tuesday night in the group stage
South American Lampard would have to be draped in cotton wool between games if that performance was anything.
But while Chelsea’s defense had finally gathered together, their offensive play lacked rhythm, especially during the largely quiet first half.
Seville was fluent. Quite comfortable in possession. In contrast, the Blues were rushed and settled as Ivan Rakitic, with his distinct style, dominated the Seville midfield.
However, despite having possession of the ball, Seville had nothing concrete to show for their impressive opening – even though Mendy made a good save from Serge Gomez and Lucas Ocampos.
It was as if Sevilla were the owner of the land and it was clear that Lampard was annoyed by Chelsea’s failure to gain any semblance of control.
Mindy looked calm on his European Blues bow, replacing goalkeeper Kiba Arrizabalaga in the starting line-up.
Chelsea coach Frank Lampard looks at his team as they open their Champions League campaign against the LaLiga team
But despite their difficulties, the Blues coach would have been quietly satisfied with the first half – if not with their overall performance, then certainly with their flexibility in defense.
Seville ended the first half with a 56 per cent possession, but their concerns were clear – keeping Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic calm for 90 minutes was an unlikely scenario.
But Kurt Zuma should have opened the scoring in the 48th minute, with a free header from a corner Ben Chilwell who was saved by Yassin Bono.
Suddenly, Chelsea burst into life. They were full of goal – everything they weren’t in the first half.
Seville had no choice but to withdraw, as Chelsea himself eventually asserted. Werner fired a fierce low shot from curling, Bono did well in the 56th minute as Chelsea continued to press.
Despite this, Lampard was not oblivious to the risks of his extended start until the second half – as his team’s defensive weaknesses attest to this.
In fact, Sevilla gradually regained its cool to threaten once again, with Joan Jordan tearing the ceiling of Chelsea’s net with a brilliantly executed air shot.
But Londoners – led by the illustrious Silva – were not in the mood to give up this time.
Julen Lopetegui led Sevilla to the European League title last season and they are among the best seeded players in Group E this season.
Reese James tries to win the ball from Seville player Oliver Torres in the second half while the two teams search for the winning goal.
