Frank Lampard was at pains to dismiss suggestions of a Chelsea defensive crisis on Monday.
Judging by this, he has a point. A clean sheet in the Champions League isn’t to be sniffed at, particularly for a Chelsea side who have been leaky at best in recent months.
There is no escaping, of course, that this was a completely uninspiring start to Chelsea’s European campaign.
MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Mendy 7; James 7.5, Silva 8, Zouma 7, Chilwell 7; Kante 6.5, Jorginho 6.5 (Kovacic 65); Pulisic 6 (Hudson-Odoi 90), Havertz 6, Mount 6 (Ziyech 62); Werner 6.5 (Abraham 90).
Subs not used: Kepa, Caballero, Rudiger, Christensen, Tomori, Giroud, Azpilicueta, Emerson.
Booking: Jorginho, Mount, Chilwell.
Manager: Lampard: 7
SEVILLA (4-3-3): Bounou 7; Navas 6.5, Gomez 6.5 (Jordan 33), Carlos 7, Acuna 7; Rakitic 8 (Vasquez 80), Fernando 7, Gudelj 7; Suso 6 (Oliver Torres 58, 6), De Jong 6.5 (En-Nesyri 80), Ocampos 6.5.
Subs not used: Vaclik, Rekik, Jordan. Munir, Oscar Rodriguez,, Escudero, Oliver Torres, Vasquez, Carlos Fernandez.
Booked: Jordan, Acuna.
Manager: Lopetegui: 6.5
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA) – 6.5
But for a team who conceded seven in two games against eventual winners Bayern Munich during their previous outing in this competition, this result will come with an understandable degree of optimism.
So, too, for Lampard – this the first goalless draw he’s overseen in 63 games as Chelsea manager.
Lampard will hope this result, as dull as it was, can be the trigger point for a team who have clearly struggled at the back. Continue reading