Bruno Peres’ last gasp ball into the box was blocked unconvincingly by Courtois. The ball remained in Roma’s possession but a toe-poke from a Chelsea defender on Bruno Peres caused the Brazilian fullback to lose control – and the referee decided to blow time on the match. What an incredible spectacle this has been!
90' +3
Willian sent a cross in from the right but it did not beat the first man and was cleared promptly. Roma are now in possession of the ball after El Shaarawy’s switch and Roma look happy with a point from this contest as they pass the ball in midfield looking to wind down time.
90' +1
Gary Cahill rose highest but he was unable to steer it goalward and the ball cannoned off his head high over the target and out for a free-kick. Alisson does not seem to be bothered with taking the kick in any hurry.
90'
Radja Nainggolan has given away a free-kick in a great position after his awful two-footed slide on Willian. This is a real chance for Chelsea to steal all three points right at the death!
88'
S. El Shaarawy enters the game and replaces D. Perotti.
The last substitution of the day for either side goes to Roma, as Stephan El Shaarawy takes Diego Perotti’s position.
87'
STAT: Edin Dzeko has scored 11 goals in his last 14 appearances for club and country.
84'
Fabregas received a pass from Willian’s corner and the ball was promptly sent to the back-post where Rudiger was lurking. He could not manage much more than to steer the ball wide and Roma have been let off the hook!
83'
A. Florenzi enters the game and replaces K. Strootman.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s second substitution of the day sees Alessandro Florenzi take the place of midfielder Kevin Strootman.
82'
EDIN DZEKO ALMOST HAD HIS THIRD! A cross from the right-wing meets Dzeko’s head right in front of Courtois’ goal but the Bosnian striker directed it just wide of the left-hand post! Antonio Rudiger was there to defend but was unable to get in the way of the striker. This game still has goals in it!
80'
Willian enters the game and replaces E. Hazard.
Eden Hazard – scorer of two of Chelsea’s goals today – will be replaced by Willian. The Belgian leaves the pitch to a standing ovation from the Chelsea faithful, which is well deserved considering his brilliant performance.
Minute
Description
77'
A. Rüdiger enters the game and replaces D. Zappacosta.
Immediately after the equalizer, Conte makes his second substitution – a defensive one which sees Antonio Rudiger enter the game against his former team, replacing Zappacosta.
75'
E. Hazard has scored a goal for Chelsea! Assist by Pedro.
Pedro is given the assist for his fantastic cross which was met by Hazard's head.
A HEADER FROM HAZARD MAKES IT 3-3! This game will not give us a moment's rest! Pedro, who came on to replace Luiz sent in a cross from the corner of the penalty area and it met an unmarked Eden Hazard! The diminutive Belgian, who is not known for his heading capabilities, directed it into the far corner, just out of Alisson’s reach. Still all to play for in London!
74'
L. Pellegrini enters the game and replaces Gerson.
Roma will make their first switch of the day, with Lorenzo Pellegrini replacing Gerson on the right-wing.
73'
STAT: Gerson’s start today is his first of the season – as well as his first ever in Champion’s League
70'
E. Džeko has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by A. Kolarov.
Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick delivery will be credited with the assist.
THE COMEBACK IS COMPLETE! From the free-kick which was given away by Bakayoko, Kolarov sent in a delicious cross which met the head of Edin Dzeko who nodded it past a helpless Courtois. Three blue shirts were in the vicinity, but none could put the Bosnian off, or cut the supply line! The first decent set-piece delivery of the day for Roma results in Dzeko’s second of the night. 3-2 Roma! Incredible scenes!
69'
T. Bakayoko gets yellow.
Tiemoué Bakayoko will go into the referee's book after fouling Perotti just outside the penalty area.
67'
Shortly after that goal the referee has stopped play as Pedro and Fazio clattered into each other – with both requiring treatment. It seems Pedro’s head came into direct contact with the leg and midsection of Fazio. It gives us all a moment to breathe – and reflect on the truly stunning finish from Dzeko just seconds ago.
64'
E. Džeko has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by F. Fazio.
Fazio's long-range pass to Dzeko will be given as an assist - and what a setup it was!
WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY MINDBLOWING FINISH FROM EDIN DZEKO TO MAKE IT 2-2! From deep in midfield, Fazio sent the ball over the top of Chelsea’s midfield AND defence to Edin Dzeko who saw the ball come over his back shoulder and without needing a controlling touch, the Bosnian smashed a volley high into the roof of the net. Courtois was in the perfect position, but the pace and power of the shot was simply too much. All squared here at Stamford Bridge, 2-2!
63'
Diego Perotti, for the third time today attempted to bend the ball around Courtois and into the far corner, but for the third time today the Argentinian’s effort is directly at the goalkeeper. His positioning today has been phenomenal, but his finishing has been severely lacking.
61'
Dzeko and Kolarov, after holding off a number of Chelsea defensive challenges, finally get the space needed to play a ball into Gerson, but the Brazilian headed it above the crossbar. Conte on the sideline is going ballistic at the match official as the Italian wanted a free-kick for his side, as he felt that Dzeko used extreme force to retain possession of the ball.
59'
STAT: Chelsea and Roma have faced twice before, with the home side winning on both occasions.
57'
Pedro enters the game and replaces David Luiz.
The first substitution of the day is Chelsea’s, as David Luiz exits the game for Pedro. Luiz seems incensed at Conte’s decision to remove him from the match – but it could be the result of Luiz’s earlier ankle injury scare.
55'
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2-2! Kolarov kept possession and advanced smartly up the byline before centring the ball to one of three Roma attackers lining up to poke it home but it went through the legs of Dzeko and past Gerson, either of whom would have had an open net to aim at had they controlled it. The Serbian full-back is not happy with his teammates after that opportunity went begging.
52'
Gerson immediately had a chance to redeem himself after receiving a pass from Nainggolan. He takes two touches to set himself up and fires it at goal but the young Brazilian was always leaning back, and the ball was sent high into the London evening sky. Still 2-1 Chelsea.
51'
Gerson’s corner was extremely poor, as has most of Roma’s set-pieces today and the ball is instantly dealt with by the Chelsea defence.
50'
The ball falls at the edge of the area to Strootman after Dzeko was pushed off the ball but his shot was weak and wide. The referee saw a deflection from a Chelsea shirt and Roma will be given a corner.
49'
Diego Perotti flicks the ball up to the head of Dzeko who was waiting patiently in the penalty area but Christensen rises higher and clears the initial danger, although possession remains with the Giallorossi.
48'
David Luiz receives the ball from Eden Hazard and shrugs off Nainggolan before having a go with his weaker left foot which ends up in the stands.
47'
Kolarov wins Roma an early corner but the delivery is once again poor from the Serbian and Courtois will have a goal-kick to take.
46'
Roma kick us off in the second half!
45'
CLOSE! Bakayoko was set up for a volley but once again Fazio does his job and blocks the shot. The ball then went to Hazard who crossed for Bakayoko. His shot was toe-poked through to Morata who was in an offside position.
44'
Possible penalty appeals for Chelsea as Morata had beautifully controlled an airborne ball just in front of Alisson when Federico Fazio appeared to go through the Spaniard to clear the ball. Morata is incensed but the referee didn’t appear to even consider the claims.
42'
On second inspection, it appears as though Kolarov’s shot was slightly deflected by the outstretched leg of Andreas Christensen. A bit fortunate – but Roma will take all the help they can get at the moment. What a brilliant contest this has been so far!
40'
A. Kolarov has scored a goal for Roma! Assist by M. Gonalons.
Gonalons, who fed Kolarov the pass will be credited with the assist.
2-1! THE FORMER MANCHESTER CITY FULLBACK KOLAROV! He had the ball on the left-wing and pushed it past the much younger Cesar Azpilicueta, beating him for strength and pace before lashing it into Courtois’ top corner. A brilliant goal by the full-back and one that gives Roma a lifeline.
37'
E. Hazard has scored a goal for Chelsea!
EDEN HAZARD HAS MADE IT 2-0 TO CHELSEA AFTER ANOTHER GREAT COUNTER-ATTACK! Bruno Peres lost the ball in midfield to Hazard who had an outlet in Morata. Morata, just inside the penalty area sent a cross for Hazard who was waiting at the top of the box, and the cross, which deflected off the toe of Juan Jesus fell perfectly for Hazard to slot home. Another fantastic fast-break ends with a goal for the home side.
35'
WHAT A WASTED CHANCE! A Roma attack that featured an Edin Dzeko nutmeg on Morata ended when the ball came to Perotti inside the area with acres of space. The wide-attacker again opted to finish with a curler which for the second time today went straight into the arms of a grateful Thibaut Courtois. It should really be 1-1.
34'
Zappacosta, after losing and then regaining the ball on the right flank sent in a good cross but Federico Fazio was able to block the ball from finding Alvaro Morata. The former Tottenham player has had a fantastic start to the game.
32'
Another chance for Roma as nobody tracked Nainggolan’s surging run into the penalty area. The ball came to Nainggolan after a deflected pass looking for Kolarov and he opted to blast a shot near post but Courtois got down to make the save smartly. Roma have had a couple of good chances in the last few minutes and are attacking with controlled urgency.
30'
Strootman centred the ball well for Perotti in space just outside the 18, but the forward’s curler goes straight to Courtois and is clutched safely.
29'
Luiz once again takes down Nainggolan, but the match official has deemed the challenge to be clean and waived play on. And now Bruno Peres has gone down holding his head after his challenge on Morata resulted in the Brazilian full-back receiving a boot in the eye.
27'
The referee gives Luiz a stern talking to as he commits his second foul in a minute – this time on Perotti. No card is shown but one would have to assume that another infringement will lead to a yellow.
26'
David Luiz has re-entered the match and seems to be jogging at a normal pace. He promptly fouls Radja Nainggolan from behind so it appears he is back to normal.
25'
Play is stopped as David Luiz has gone down on a knee without contact, grasping his ankle. The Brazilian has slowly risen to his feet and is currently limping off. Antonio Conte will be furious if he will have to make an early substitution – considering the slight injury crisis he is already facing.
23'
Roma are once again setting up shop in the Chelsea half, constantly switching play – poking and prodding trying to find a gap. The ball ends up with Peres on the right-hand side but his cross was a poor one and directly out for a Courtois goal-kick.
21'
Eden Hazard has had his first crack at goal after a Roma cross was blocked and set the Belgian on his way towards Alisson’s goal. The defence closed down well and Hazard could only muster a weak shot which rolled just wide of the post.
19'
Kolarov sent in a pass to the edge of the area which was met by nobody in a Roma kit - a truly awfully coordinated set-piece and a waste of a potential goal-scoring opportunity.
18'
Roma are currently enjoying a spell of possession in midfield, passing and moving well switching from wing to wing trying to find a weakness in Chelsea. Kolarov’s cross was blocked well by Zappacosta and put out for a corner.
16'
Edin Dzeko with some determined hold-up play at midfield – shielding the ball from both Bakayoko and Alonso before Luiz came and cleared the danger. It is slightly worrying that Roma’s big number 9 is having to retreat that far into midfield to get a touch of the football – a credit to Chelsea’s defensive shape.
14'
Roma will have to respond well to going down a goal early. The Giallorossi began the contest confident in and out of possession, but an early away deficit could easily shake the Roman resolve.
11'
David Luiz has scored a goal for Chelsea!
THE INITIAL DANGER MAY HAVE BEEN CLEARED, BUT THE FOLLOW-UP WAS BRILLIANT! David Luiz was the recipient of the recycled ball. Bearing down on the penalty area, the Brazilian attempted to thread the ball to a lurking Alvaro Morata but the pass was blocked and the ball returned to the foot of Luiz, who took a touch to set and then curled it phenomenally well into the bottom-left corner. 1-0 to Chelsea!
10'
Federico Fazio rose higher than David Luiz and the initial danger is gone.
9'
Gerson, marking Morata just outside Alisson’s area stuck out a leg and the Spaniard went over as was his right to do so. Cesc Fabregas stands over the free-kick with plenty of options to hit at.
8'
Diego Perotti cut inside beautifully and tried an effort from outside the area which went just inches over Courtois goal. Had that been on target, the Belgian number 1 would have been very fortunate to get a hand to it.
6'
At the other end, Peres threaded a beautiful ball for Nainggolan inside the penalty area but the Belgian’s pull-back was met by blue shirts and effectively cleared.
5'
The press has once again got the better of Chelsea as Davide Zappacosta’s misplaced pass to Azpilicueta rolled out for a Roma throw deep in the home side’s territory but Roma quickly gave up possession which turned into a blistering counter-attack. The move ended with Morata who attempted to curl a ball into the corner from just inside Alisson’s area. The bend was nowhere near what was required and the goalkeeper collected without fuss.
3'
The free-kick came to nothing as the ball was passed off and crossed much too high for the towering Dzeko to get his head on.
2'
Roma have started the contest positively, pressing high in defence and forcing Chelsea to go long, causing turnovers. Chelsea’s frustrations have already shown, as David Luiz gave away a foul on Dzeko in his own half.
1'
Chelsea get us underway in their traditional blue strip!
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of the Champions League clash between Chelsea and Roma from Stamford Bridge!
Chelsea enter match day three on the back of a poor result against the Premier League’s bottom club – Crystal Palace. A host of injury concerns and fixture congestion has left Antonio Conte furious with his squad. Currently fifth place in their domestic competition, the title holders are experiencing more fortune in Europe’s top club competition. Chelsea are the pace-setters early on, with six points after two games – including a last gasp victory over Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. They are averaging four goals per game, but with Diego Costa’s departure, Alvaro Morata’s questionable fitness and a lack of trust in Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea will have to their work cut out for them against the Giallorossi.
In odd symmetry, Roma also currently sit in fifth place in their domestic league, also having lost at the weekend. Their 1-0 defeat to Napoli on Saturday put a dent in their Scudetto aspirations, and Eusebio Di Francesco will be hoping to exercise those demons with a victory in London. A win and a draw is good enough for second place in Group C, but with only two goals in two games, Roma’s defence will be the key to victory in this battle of the Italian tacticians.
Roma have only won two of their last ten Champions League games, with the only away victory coming in match day two against Qarabag 2-1, whereas Chelsea have won six of their last ten home fixtures in European competition, with losses coming against respectable opponents in Atletico Madrid and PSG. It is sure to be a showing of organization and resoluteness, as Roma are the lowest conceding side in Italy (joint with Napoli and Inter), and Chelsea themselves can boast a top 5 defensive record in England.
With fifteen minutes before kick-off, the team news has been announced. Let's start with the home team.
Chelsea substitutes: Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Kenedy, Willian, Pedro, Michy Batshuayi, Kyle Scott.
Chelsea starting XI (3-5-2): Thibaut Courtois; Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta; Marcos Alonso, Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Luiz, Cesc Fabregas, Davide Zappacosta; Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata.
Roma substitutes: Lorenzo Pellegrini, Hector Moreno, Daniele De Rossi, Cengiz Under, Alessandro Florenzi, Lukasz Skorupski, Stephan El Shaarawy.
Roma starting XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Bruno Peres, Federico Fazio, Juan Jesus, Aleksandar Kolarov; Radja Nainggolan, Maxime Gonalons, Kevin Strootman; Gerson, Edin Dzeko, Diego Perotti.
Roma will be without summer signing Patrick Schick as well as star Greek centre-back Konstantinos Manolas. Edin Dzeko will be the target man as normal, with Eusebio Di Francesco opting to give a start to former Tottenham defender Federico Fazio to fill the hole in his back line.
For Chelsea, Antonio Rudiger will start on the bench against his former side, but it is a start for Alvaro Morata who has been deemed fit after missing a month with a hamstring injury. Fitness woes for Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante have forced Antonio Conte to start David Luiz in central midfield, with Fabregas and Bakayoko flanking him on either side.
HALF-TIME. Chelsea 2 - 1 Roma
The match is perfectly poised, with both teams feeling that all three points are well within their grasp. A host of attacking talent on either bench could make all the difference, and it could be a matter of time before Roma find the space they need in a congested Chelsea third to get the equalizer.
Roma have done a great job of pressing high up the pitch, forcing turnovers and cycling the ball through the team – looking for a weakness in Chelsea’s defensive block. Antonio Conte will rue the Christensen touch which sent Kolarov’s shot past Courtois, but it was not expected, as Diego Perotti had been knocking at the door several times over the first 45 minutes. Federico Fazio has been a stand-out in defense, proving that he is capable of defending in London much to the disbelief of Tottenham fans; he has been exceptional in defending set-pieces and the reason Morata hasn’t scored himself.
It has been a fantastic half of football for the neutral at Stamford Bridge as both sides go into the interval with positives to take. Chelsea have been absolutely blistering on the counter-attack, sitting in tight and waiting for their opportunity to dispossess Roma and hit at pace, essentially ceding possession of the football to their counterparts who at times have overcommitted.
The final period of play began uninspiringly, before Conte opted to substitute David Luiz out for Pedro, which opened the game up and led both sides to attack with incredible speed. A double in ten minutes from Eden Dzeko gave Roma the lead for the first time in the game, but Chelsea’s magic Belgian Eden Hazard popped up fifteen minutes from time to steal back a point for Antonio Conte’s side. Lacklustre defensive play was overshadowed by brilliance going forward, which made the match between the two sides entertaining from start to finish.
A nonstop 90 minutes has finally met its conclusion with the sides finishing all square at 3-3. An early strike from David Luiz gave Chelsea a lead ten minutes into the contest and that margin was doubled when Eden Hazard finished smartly from a Morata cross. A Kolarov strike five minutes before half-time gave the away side some hope before the interval, and perfectly set up the second half.
FULL-TIME: Chelsea 3 - 3 Roma
Considering what could have been – both managers should be happy with the point they earned, and it will inspire confidence after a weekend to forget for both Roma and Chelsea. It also means that after three games, Chelsea lead the group with Roma in a close second place. Next up for Roma is a trip to Torino on Sunday, and Chelsea will be hosts to a surging Watford on Saturday.
Thank you and we hope you enjoyed our live text commentary of Chelsea v Roma. See you all soon!
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