Graham Potter’s tenure as Chelsea manager got off to a rocky start against Austrian Bundesliga leaders Salzburg. Raheem Sterling’s goal in the 48th minute was levelled up by Noah Okafor in the closing stages of the game.
The outcome won’t help their Champions League Group E campaign much as they are still bottom of the standings after two games.
Chelsea launched their European season with a humiliating 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb last week, causing the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.
Tuchel paid the ultimate price for failing to embrace the new ownership’s long-term vision for Chelsea’s future.
Meanwhile, at Potter’s official unveiling on Tuesday, he revealed that he had never before attended a Champions League game, much less occupied the top seat in the dugout. This was his first taste of the top-level European club competition.
In the building! šµ#UCL pic.twitter.com/eJJWZZ6qo3
ā Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 14, 2022
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What Happened In The Chelsea Game?
In the 48th minute, Sterling gave Chelsea the lead by collecting Mason Mount’s low cross from the right, which Salzburg failed to adequately defend. This was the first goal of the Potter era.
The unmarked England attacker had plenty of time and room to measure his shot before calmly bending one from within the 18-yard box into the bottom right corner.
However, with 15 minutes left to play, Salzburg equalized through top scorer Okafor. Thiago Silva had dived in to make a tackle, which had allowed Junior Adamu to deliver a low cross.
Okafor then applied a first-time finish with the aid of a slight deflection off Cesar Azpilicueta.
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