Chelsea claimed their first Champions League win of 2022/23 with a comprehensive win over group leaders AC Milan.
The Blues were up for the challenge from the outset and settled into the game well, with Wesley Fofana opening the scoring after some very scrappy play in the Milan box on 24 minutes. Unfortunately, the Frenchman could not build upon his display as his studs caught on the ground, and he picked up an injury, eventually being replaced by Trevoh Chalobah after attempting to continue.
The Serie A side struggled to have attempts on goal in the opening half, with Kepa Arrizabalaga only required to make one save in the opening 45 minutes. Chelsea only got better in the second period.
READ MORE: Chelsea player ratings vs AC Milan as Reece James shows class, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang clinical
Reece James first provided the assist for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a well-weighted ball before carrying the ball into the box himself and unleashing a rocket of a shot into Milan's net to hand Chelsea a 3-0 lead. The Blues earned three points and now sit second in Group E, behind Salzburg and ahead of Milan.
football.london looks at things we learned from Graham Potter's first Champions League win.
Tactics continue to change
Another match under Potter and another change in formation. The Blues head coach is unafraid to alter his system dependent on the opposition and players available to him. Ahead of the Wednesday night clash, Potter noted: "I think we need width. It's a stable side that allows the boys to go out, express themselves and be positive. We're playing against a top opponent, so we have to play well, but the boys are in a good place, so we're looking forward to it."
Preparation cannot just be considered a way to negate the opposition but also to enhance qualities the Blues can make use of. First, the width of James and Ben Chilwell left the centre of the pitch with lots of space for Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling to roam in. In the second period, utilising James going forwards saw the England international open repeatedly, with nobody tracking his run. Potter's plans appeared bang on.
The 47-year-old isn't afraid to change things during the match, with Sterling also leading the line when Aubameyang was replaced before Armando Broja was later introduced. Chelsea's flexibility will be a strength for Potter, and were likely to see more iterations as October continues, with the rate of games not slowing down and rotation inevitable.
Trevoh Chalobah ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta?
In Potter's first match in charge of Chelsea, Cesar Azpilicueta was the man positioned to the right of Thiago Silva as the Blues set up to face Red Bull Salzburg. The club captain was favoured ahead of Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah and Fofana against Red Bull Salzburg as Potter navigated his first game.
Summer signings Koulibaly and Fofana got the not against Milan, seemingly leaving Chalobah bottom of the central defender pecking order as Chelsea took on their Champions League rivals at Stamford Bridge. When Fofana picked up his injury in the opening half of the game, it was Chalobah who was asked to warm up. However, the young defender was seen as a more suitable replacement when directly against Rafael Leao.
The 23-year-old firmly placed himself next in the queue of Potter's selection process with a strong performance in just his second start of the season.
Aubameyang's arrival
That's two goals in two matches for the former Arsenal and AC Milan striker, and he's capitalised on relatively few opportunities in front of goal. Like against the Eagles, Aubameyang looked closer to providing a more consistent performance than in his earlier outings as he made himself available for balls from deep by coming short as well as testing the shoulder of the opposition defence.
The former Gabon international had fewer touches than any other Chelsea player who completed at least 45 minutes. Aubameyang had less than touches against Palace and just 21 in his time on the pitch against Milan but nevertheless felt involved and managed to finish well. Against Milan, he timed his run behind Fikayo Tomori to simply tap in James' cross, in what looks like it could be a potent combination moving forwards.
Ahead of the game, Koulibaly noted: "Everybody knows Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, we know that he is an important player for us. He used to score a lot in the Premier League, he did it also in Barcelona last year, and now we are happy to be with him today. We know that he can give us a lot because he can score a lot of goals, and it is hard to take him in training because he is talented, but I think in training, everybody is difficult to take because we have a lot of talent in this team. We know that we can score at any time, even if sometimes it is a little bit difficult."
Aubameyang has vindicated that confidence which will only increase his own and the faith the team have in him.
Chelsea can keep a clean sheet
Potter's assessment of the game was a simple one: "Delighted with the performance and the attitude. Against a top opponent, we had to play well, and we had to act well. A clean sheet and three goals".
The Blues recorded their first clean sheet since the opening weekend of the season. The outing against Everton presented a team that were ineffective in front of goal, versus AC Milan, it felt like Chelsea's backline was more composed and controlled in denying the opposition a short.
The Serie A side had four attempts on goal, and just one on target at Stamford Bridge as Potter's side stood strong for the most part against Leao and Olivier Giroud. A rare quality this term where despite the talent of Silva leading the defence, the Blues have always looked vulnerable to opposition attacks.
Ahead of the game Potter said: "If you look at what we've got over the next six weeks, it's an incredible schedule," said Potter. "So I am in no rush to label anybody one or two. Firstly, I want to help Kepa enjoy his football and player at a really good level, which I think he did against Crystal Palace.
"Then I want to help Eddie get fit and ready to play, which he has done really well so far. Then we have two goalkeepers, and in an ideal world, you let football decide. We have two goalkeepers we really believe in, and that is a good situation for us."
If Kepa continues his current form, it will be no easy task for Mendy to earn his way back into the starting XI, having already returned to the matchday squad.
Bonus
Not something learned at Stamford Bridge, but James served an impressive reminder of just how good he is. The young wing-back was strong in defence and showed his abilities moving forward when left unchecked in the second period. A goal and assist were well deserved from the player already handed a new contract this season as he continues to be a potent weapon for the Blues, a player lacking a replacement of close to the same quality.
Potter waxed lyrical following the game. He said: "I think Reece is just a fantastic player, and he's a young player, so he's developing all the time. He'll get better and better as we go. I've really enjoyed working with him, he's got a lot to offer, he's fantastic. He could play any game in the world, he's tremendous. My job is to help him reach his potential because his potential is beyond the sky."
He added: "He's so important for us. My job is to help him reach his potential, and his potential is he can be a Chelsea legend with anybody. That is the level he has, the potential that he has. For that to happen, he has to be part of a successful team. That's what we're working towards."
The new head coach is not wrong. James may even already be a legend, but what he can be for Chelsea is very exciting indeed.
READ NEXT:
Graham Potter faces Rafael Leao problem as Todd Boehly decision gifts Chelsea a new untouchable
Every word Graham Potter said on Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Chelsea's AC Milan win
Chelsea star Wesley Fofana leaves Stamford Bridge on crutches after injury against AC Milan
