unrelenting rain a weather theme here in west london we're at stamford bridge
my name is derek ray and i'm joined for commentary by lee dixon and we've got so much to look
forward to this is where it all begins in europe's premier club competition the uefa champions league
the group stage match day one action it is chelsea facing shakhtar donetsk well thank you derrick
with being big favorites complacency can be a problem you've got to use that to your advantage
you're playing a home side as expected to go through can they put the pressure on in
the first 20 minutes and hold out and then try and nick the game in the second half
and this is how it looks for chelsea antonio rudiger starts alongside thiago
silva in central defence and the starting role an attack today is handed to robert lewandowski
this is how the visitors will set up today would you call it 451 lee yeah i really like
this formation derek four two three one really two central midfield players supplying support
to a three ahead of them and then a lone striker with the number 10 just behind him
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
mount and goto kante james rice with it
well that's one for them to pursue
oh it was a crucial challenge you can tell what the fans think of
that decision they're certain it should have been a penalty
getting the ball forward and lewandowski waiting foiling them effectively
dodo hey smiley
now with junior morris
matt bianco
patient build-up at the moment
keeping their opponents moving in search of space
now with junior maurice passing it around looking for the goal that would put them ahead
well no way through that's very effective good high pressing oh what's he got and done
it might be it could be up for grabs he's miley and here's my loss it's with mike on
tackling and winning the ball to boot well i can't believe he's still level we'll save that was from
the keeper the chance gives us a go and the first goal always important lewandowski has bagged it
well here's the replay it is a lovely quick counter attack that sets up the chance and when he
gets through to the keeper he just smashes it past him gives him no chance to think lovely finish
one nil then for chelsea number nine robert lewandowski
the visitors possession stats are brilliant but they have to create more they have to
be more positive the final third play has been slow too predictable
and winning it back
definitely look as though they want to make this move count
well they keep the ball moving marlos great challenge he got nothing but ball
well not the bars he had in mind and the first 45 minutes have come and gone here at stamford bridge
illuminating in the first half of this game of robert lewandowski
lee well derek he certainly was a good 45 minutes from the lad obviously got the goal to give him
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
he's smiley
matt bienko
it's with my con
it back good visualization and execution outside a tight one
rice with it
rhys james beautifully weighted ball
what's an important piece of defending
it's opening up for them
and dispossessed
they might well be scoped for them to counter attack here they need to get bodies back timo
and it's gone in here just what chelsea fans wanted to see their lead extended to two goals
well here's the replay super fast counter attack football at his best but then there's
still plenty to do you have to say it's a really nice finish just to guide it into the net lovely
goal well a second goal for them here for chelsea number seven kante matt vienko
so 20 minutes to go chelsea are really struggling in terms of possession but
they won't mind with that they're winning this game they're sucking their opponents onto them
and with the pace they've got in midfield and up front they're really causing problems
and he takes it away
he's beating us man comprehensively lewandowski had a chance to whip it in here
and mount rice and that's sound goalkeeping now chelsea
corner
played into the center of the box we'll dealt with that ball comfortably
corner again and now the delivery will be dealt with that ball played in rather well
junior morris it's worthy smiley michonne matt vienko
dentino has it
he continues his run
doesn't hang on to the ball
and space to cross it
well they have it again unsuccessfully cut out and that's it for tonight's full time
and an encouraging start for them three points from the initial fixture lee yeah really really
strong start that's what you need but with five games to go very important you stay in the now
one game at a time derrick bit of a cliche and a good performance as we've come to expect from
angola kante how would you sum up his contribution today lee well that was a really really good
performance from the lad and a goal to boot really delighted with that goal i'm sure he is