What is it with Chelsea’s Champions League games against Serie A opponents? The wins are so impressive, the performances ones of quality and composure. And yet injuries to key players taint results – and that was the case against AC Milan at San Siro this evening.
Chelsea were in full control of the group-stage clash; two goals ahead and with a man advantage after Fikayo Tomori had been dismissed in the opening period. All that was required was to see the match out and travel back to west London with their European destiny very much in their own hands.
But one innocuous Reece James challenge on Theo Hernandez altered the post-match feeling. It was the England international who came off worse in the duel, he crumpled to the floor and needed treatment. To James' credit, he tried to continue only to be thwarted by the pain.
