Tuesday night brought the first day full of Champions League group stage matches in the new season, matching up some of Europe’s top teams in a preview of what is sure to be an intense battle to qualify for the competition’s elimination rounds.
One of the night’s most anticipated matchups, a visit by reigning Europa League champions Sevilla to Stamford Bridge, ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
In Sevilla’s first Champions League match in two seasons, they stood their ground against Frank Lampard’s side. They won the possession battle 56% to 44% but were ultimately unable to convert their time with the ball into many chances against Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea also just couldn’t generate many occasions against a stout Sevilla defense. Their best stretch came just after the beginning of the first half when a Kurt Zouma header tested Sevilla keeper Yassine Bono, with shots from Timo Werner and Ben Chilwell following shortly thereafter.
At the end of 90 minutes plus extra time, neither team was able to grab a goal and they both walked away with one point from the match between the two Group E favorites.
Chelsea’s next UCL test will come on October 28th at Krasnodar, while Sevilla will host Rennes.
