Champions League review - Chelsea tie with Valencia

 

Chelsea's new star Juan Mata was back at his former club when Chelsea conceded a penalty five minutes from the end of their Champions League group stage match against Valencia, resulting in a draw 1-1, which otherwise would have seen the Blues take it all. three points in an impressive performance.

Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard ดาวทีมเชลซี after being recently left on the substitute bench, and rewarded his manager's decision with a fine second-half goal that seemed to have given Chelsea victory.

Later, Lampard was replaced by Salomon Kalou, who with an unnecessary hand gave Valencia a penalty with five minutes remaining and a chance to save a draw.

Chelsea started the game brilliantly and could have received a penalty of his own after Fernando Torres appeared to be off the ball when he was on goal, but the referee saw no infraction.

Chelsea were unlucky again, as Ramires was fouled just outside the penalty area when he would have gone on target. Lampard fired a low free kick past the defensive wall, but Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves managed to deflect the ball to prevent Chelsea from going ahead.

After the brilliant initial start, the first half turned into a cautious affair and both teams were limited in their opportunities to score goals.

Chelsea emerged for the second half with a new enthusiasm and attacking style that the Blues have not seen in recent times. Fernando Torres was about to score with a header after a good cross from José Bosingwa, but the effort was well stopped. Then Ramires shot the ball straight to Alves in the Valencia goal, when he freed himself and only had to beat the goalkeeper, Torres's fine shot at point-blank range was well blocked, but the momentum was building up from Chelsea and it seemed like it was going to score a goal. inevitable.

The goal finally came in the 56th minute when Malouda showed great skill and provided a perfect one-inch pass for Lampard, who hit the ball from inside the penalty area, giving Alves absolutely no chance to save.

However, the victory was far from certain and Valencia went ahead in search of a draw, but the Blues held firm, showing a resolve on defense that has clearly been lacking in recent weeks. The home team was limited to long-range efforts, but this still required Blues goalkeeper Cech to make some good saves.

Lampard was substituted at the end of the game by Solomon Kalou but it was the substitute who unnecessarily manipulated the ball from a corner, from which the referee did not hesitate to award the penalty. Soldado calmly placed the penalty, sending Cech down the wrong path and to secure the tie, which on the night was probably a fair result.