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Nick JuddTransfer writer
Chelsea survived an astonishing goal late to take their place in the Champions League semi-finals, Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to FC Porto in Seville in an insufficient second leg to overturn their 2-0 victory last week in the same place .
Mehdi Teremi waved Chelsea’s heart when he scored with an incredible shot during the injury, but it was too little, too late for Porto, who was disappointing at night.
In reality, Thomas Tuchel’s side was seldom disturbed. Porto started the game on the front leg and they pressed Chelsea up on the field. However, for all their possession, the visitors created very little in front of the gate.
Chelsea failed to shoot at the opposite end, and the game as a whole was scrappy and disarticulated, which allowed the Blues to head to the finish line.
In the end, it was a simple night for the blues, but a bigger test will inevitably follow in the last four.
positives
Chelsea would have expected to face pressure, but Porto offered little chance, which is proof of how the Blues managed the game. In fact, Chelsea had better chances to score and, in the end, it was a relatively nervous night for the blues. At the other end, the blues were extremely determined to defend the corners and free kicks.
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Negatives
Chelsea will have to find new speeds with whoever they face in the semi-finals. Their game was disjointed, the passage sometimes capricious and creativity in the last third a bit cumbersome.
Manager rating out of 10
8 – It was not a classic in any case, but Thomas Tuchel will be delighted with the way his team managed the game. They managed the score well and reduced Porto to a few chances. It was scrappy, but a good case made, and now Chelsea is surprising in the semifinals.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players entered after 70 minutes receive no rating)
GK Edouard Mendy, 5 – Mendy had a great opportunity to score following a counterattack after 80 minutes, but Taremi’s shot from the left sailed high over the bar. Earlier, Mendy was almost caught when a weak authorization found Jesus Corona, but the Mexican’s strike was blocked by Jorginho.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 – In a scrappy game, the commander leads by example. He was often in the right place at the right time, when he was performing his defensive duties and appeared with an incisive pass at the other end.
DF Thiago Silva, 6 – Silva was a reassuring presence in the back and his experience towards the end was vital, the Brazilian often coming down to take the game.
DF Antonio Rudiger, 7 – Such a split game suited Rudiger and he was clearly ready for battle. He left very little behind and reacted very quickly if Ben Chilwell needed coverage. His distribution was not great, but Chelsea had to defend so many corners and free kicks, his presence was important.
DF Reece James, 5 – It was a frustrating night for James who was not given the usual space to advance. Instead, he was caught back and was constantly under pressure, which meant that his passage was sometimes rushed.
DF Ben Chilwell, 6 – The England international made a key lock to the back post to block Marko Grujic’s header from a corner in Porto before the break. Otherwise it was a mixed show. He improved as the game continued and, while his connecting game was good, the defensive decision-making was questionable.
MF Jorginho, 7 –The Italian international made a key block to deny Corona when Mendy made the wrong mistake and he was a key to keeping Chelsea so compact. Probably one of Chelsea’s best performers at night.
MF N’Golo Kante, 6 – Kante broke an attack at first and was his usual self. He was of little quality when he ran with the ball at his feet, but he was there to prevent Porto from returning to a draw, and for that purpose he was extremely effective.
MF Mason Mount, 6 – Mount had Chelsea’s first effort of the game, but his shot was deflected wide. That really summed up his evening; a frustrating night in which he was good at the break but didn’t click for him in the last third.
MF Christian Pulisic, 8 – The fit American was brilliant and his energy was infectious, if not too much for Porto’s defenders. He had several chances to kill the equalizer, the best of which was a chance to try, but he could not contact properly.
FW Kai Havertz, 6 – The German was released from the right early and probably should have had a blow, because it was one on one.
Substitutes
MF Hakim Ziyech, N / R – A strange replacement, given Chelsea, was defending at the time, but he almost caught an assist.
FW Olivier Giroud, N / R – The Frenchman was a late addition and did not have time to get involved.