Chelsea 5-1 Ajax: Enzo Maresca’s side rioted at Stamford Bridge to celebrate their 200th Champions League game in style on a night where the club’s young stars impressed
A football enthusiast who spends much of his life on the highway, watching games all over the country. Passionate about soccer, work and mirrors. I have always believed that the Premier League is the best in the world and that England have a chance. Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
This was Chelsea’s 200th Champions League game and will surely go down as one of the most reckless nights in Europe.
Three penalties in the first half, a red card (their first against Chelsea) and a record-breaking victory for Enzo Maresca’s side, making it their fourth consecutive win in all competitions.
Marc Giu, 19, became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League goalscorer, but he held the record for just 33 minutes before being surpassed by Estevao Willian, who was just 18 years and 181 days old. Remarkably, through Giu, Estevao and substitute Tyrik George, Chelsea became the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers score in one match.
It was all too easy for Chelsea, but it was humiliating for Ajax, a 10-man team who have come a long way from their days as one of the great clubs in European football. As the goal flew in, the traveling fans gave Ajax manager John Heitinga a ton of stick in Dutch, and at one point shouted, “You’ll be sacked in the morning,” which was quickly translated by a Chelsea supporter.
read more: Chelsea star suffers after shocking tackle, Ajax star shown red cardread more: Thierry Henry talks about his Champions League predictions after reaching an agreement with Arsenal
Chelsea didn’t even need to put up a cannon, as they made 10 changes and still attacked Ajax lightly. Chelsea finished the game with five teenagers on the pitch.
Ajax were reduced to 10 men when Kenneth Taylor, the Dutch international with an English-sounding name, was sent off for a legal challenge on Chelsea midfielder Facundo Buonanotte after just 17 minutes, with the game still goalless. Within 77 seconds, Chelsea took the lead through Giu and it was effectively game over at Stamford Bridge.
Former Manchester United flop Wout Weghorst, who had failed to score during his time at Old Trafford, offered a brief glimmer of hope from the penalty spot. But Weghorst then undid all his good work by making the most ridiculous challenge I’ve ever seen to give Chelsea a penalty, and he had the audacity to complain about it.
Needless to say, Enzo Fernandes won the spot-kick without having to be asked twice, and Weghorst did a great job on half-time.
It’s such a strange game. The first goal came 18 minutes later, when Buonanotte’s cross was flicked on by Wesley Fofana and Guiu scored.
In the 27th minute, Moises Caicedo’s shot was deflected by Josip Staro, making it 2-0. Tosin Adarabioyo conceded a penalty after a clumsy challenge on Raul Moro, and Weghorst converted.
Fernandes made it 3-1 with a penalty, but Yuri Baas tripped Estevao. The Brazilian prodigy showed incredible confidence in a timid run-up, locking the eyes of veteran keeper Remco Pasvia, 23 years his senior, and slamming into the corner.
Chelsea made their substitution and George, who came on as a substitute at half-time, scored three minutes after the restart.
They brought in Reggie Walsh and put on the field five teenagers who made up the quintet of Jorel Hato and Josh Achiampong, but unbelievably, Walsh only turned 17 two days ago.
Estevao came close with a nice last-gasp overhead kick, but it would have been simply greedy to see it go in.
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