As well as Zagreb, Chelsea have been drawn alongside AC Milan and RB Salzburg in Group E.
Given all four of those sides could eke out a win against one another on any given gameweek, it was important Chelsea got their 2022/23 Champions League campaign off to a bright start in Croatia.
But when all was said and done,
Chelsea started the match the brighter of the two sides, with their new front-three clicking well.
However, it was Zagreb who opened the scoring via Mislav Orsic, whose pace was too much for Wesley Fofana.
After that goal, Chelsea struggled to regain their dominance and were hit on the counter several more times.
As the game wore on, though, Zagreb once again began to cause Chelsea issues and continued to limit the Blues’ chances. The west Londoners pegged the home side back in the final 15 minutes, but were unable to find a goal.
Dinamo Zagreb player ratings
Dominik Livakovic (6) – Delt with the little he faced well.
Sadegh Moharrami (5) – Passing was excellent but he didn’t create too much.
Josip Sutalo (6.5) – Was very comfortable on the ball and defended well.
Dino Peric (6.5) – Was very solid defensively, making a number of important clearances, blocks and interceptions.
Stefan Ristovski (6) – A very competent defensive showing.
Arijan Ademi (4.5) – A very quiet display from the captain.
Josip Misic (5.5) – Helped start a lot of Zagreb’s counter-attacks.
Luka Ivanusec (4) – Was poor when attempting to win the ball back from Chelsea.
Robert Ljubicic (7) – Created some good chances and caused Chelsea issues down the left. Denied Chelsea a likely equaliser late on as well.
Bruno Perkovic (7) – Clever header to set up Orsic for the opener and continued to test Chelsea’s backline.
Mislav Orsic (7) – Showed great pace and composure to put his side in front.
Substitutes
Rasmus Lauritsen (N/A)
Dario Spikic (N/A)
Martin Baturina (N/A)
Chelsea player ratings
Kepa Arrizabalaga (5) – Had a solid game for the most part. Could not have done much about the Zagreb opener.
Cesar Azpilicueta (4) – Struggled to deal with the pace of Zagreb’s counters. Taken off at half-time.
Wesley Fofana (4.5) – Could have done more when chasing down Orsic for his goal. Overall he was not at his best on the defensive or passing front.
Kalidou Koulibaly (4.5) – Had a tough time dealing with the threat of Perkovic.
Reece James (5) – Not at his best but nearly scored and equaliser late on.
Mason Mount (6) – A solid showing from Mount in a deeper role. His passing was good and he was also sound defensively, winning a number of ground duels.
Mateo Kovacic (6) – Defended well for the most part and offered an attacking threat with his long balls.
Ben Chilwell (5) – Offered very little going forward and he was also poor defensively.
Kai Havertz (6) – Looked much more comfortable out wide. He nearly set up Aubameyang early on and was good in the press.
Raheem Sterling (4) – Sterling failed to complete a single dribble on Tuesday and did not have a shot.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (5.5) – Set up Sterling early on but his shot was blocked. Created a few more half chances but lacked clinical edge in front of goal.
Substitutes
Hakim Ziyech (2) – His crossing was poor and he should have scored late on.
Jorginho (5) – Created a few chances after coming on.
Armando Broja (3) – Offered little attacking threat.
Marc Cucurella (4.5) – Created more than Chilwell when he came on for the Englishman.
Christian Pulisic (N/A)
Fan reaction
Chelsea in the mud😂😭 such a small team🤣
— 𝔸𝕝 𝕍𝕒𝕣𝕠 ™ (@al_varo777) September 6, 2022
My health can’t take watching this Chelsea team so often, it’s a punishment
— Dubois (@CFCDUBois) September 6, 2022
Expert view
#CFC are playing badly…a common theme. #DINCHE
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) September 6, 2022
Havertz is everywhere. It looks like he is loving getting more touches of the ball as a wide right forward. #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 6, 2022
Easy to take things for granted but pretty incredible to think Aubameyang is playing tonight – just over a week since an armed attack at his old home that lasted an hour, involved his entire family and left him with a broken jaw. Some mental strength, that.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 6, 2022
Chelsea have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 6 games in all competitions. Their worst run since December 2021.
Maybe a few more defenders? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/uAWhthatdi
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) September 6, 2022
Dinamo have realised they can outplay Chelsea after being stuck in a low block before their goal.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) September 6, 2022
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