There had been plenty of criticism for Chelsea since that aborted attempt to move their FA Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough behind closed doors, plenty of people lining up to kick a club apparently refusing to adjust to their new austere reality, but on these nights it can feel like nothing suits them more than having a point to prove and a fight to win.
The sense was this is how Chelsea like it: a hostile crowd on their backs, impertinent opponents, the weight of the world on their shoulders. The Lille fans were up for it and they were dreaming of an upset when their side went ahead in the first half, Burak Yilmaz converting a penalty after Jorginho was penalised for a clumsy handball following a VAR review.
Written by Jacob Steinberg at Stade Pierre-Mauroy
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/16/lille-chelsea-champions-league-match-report under the title “Pulisic and Azpilicueta help Chelsea fend off Lille despite turbulent future”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
