No goals conceded, none scored but Blues will be happy with Champions League point against Sevilla

By Paul Lagan

Chelsea 0 v 0 Sevilla

Well it’s a clean sheet, so that’s an improvement. The Blues start their Champions League campaign with a dour 0-0 draw against experienced Sevilla at Stamford Bridge tonight and will hope they take that defence-minded attitude to Old Trafford at the weekend in the Premier League.

There were few clean cut chances by either side, with the Spanish visitors taking the lions share of the ball.

The visitors made the better of the opening exchanges, with the majority of the possession seeing pressure put on the Blues back four.

Jorginho entered the ref’s book on 15 minutes when he professionally fouled Ocampos as the wide player was looking to get free on the left-hand side.

Edouard Mendy was fortunate to get to a header that was deflected off Kurt Zouma’s shoulder on 19 minutes as Sevilla sought to take advantage of their superiority.

The Blues finally had

attempt on goal on 31 minutes when Timo Werner managed to get a shot away, but goalkeeper Bono was on hand to snatch the ball from just under his crossbar.

Mason Mount was next in Davide Masa’s book on 35 minutes after he pulled back a Sevilla player after he lost the ball.

Seconds from the break, a poor clearance by Zouma, fell to Ocampos, who let fly with a low drive, thankfully Mendy was able to get down to his left to thwart the Spaniards.

There were no changes from either sides at half-time, but the Blues started positively. Zouma had a free header from a Ben Chilwell corner three minutes in, but he was unable to direct it past Bono, who easily held the ball.

The stopper thwarted Werner on 55 minutes. He did well to dive to his left to snaffle a curling daisy-cutter from 20 yards.

A Chilwell header from a Reece James cross was goal-bound, as the home side increased the tempo and pressure.

Head coach Frank Lampard replaced Mount with Hakim Ziyech on 60 minutes to little effect.

Chilwell entered the book for pull of a shirt just before Mateo Kovacic replaced Jorginho.

A stunning volley by Jordan inched over the Chelsea crossbar on 67 minutes as the game ebbed and flowed.

Callum Hudson-Odoi had a couple of minutes on the pitch at Pulisic’s expense, but failed to even touch the ball.

Both sides will be happy with a point in the hope that they can both see off Krasnodar and Rennes in the reminder fixtures in the group.

Teams

Chelsea, Mendy, James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell, Kante, Pulisic, Jorginho, Havertz, Mount, Werner

Subs, Kepa, Rudiger, Christensen, Abraham, Caballero, Tomori, Kovacic, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Emerson

Sevilla: Bono, Navas, Gomez, Santos, Silva, Acura, Rakitic, Reges, Gudelj, Fernandez Saez, De Jong, Ocampos

Subs: Vaclik, Rekik, Jordan, El Haddadi, Rodriguez, En-Nesyri, Escudero, Torres, Vazquez, Fernandez

Referee: Davide Massa