So the Graham Potter reign begins with a draw that leaves Chelsea's hopes of progressing from the Champions League group stage finely balanced. Bottom of Group E two games in, they now face a double-header against a Milan side featuring former team-mates who may have something to prove.
More importantly this 1-1 tie with Salzburg laid bare the amount of work that needs to be done by the new head coach to turn an expensively-assembled but disjointed squad into a coherent side capable of ensuring these type of games are routine wins.
Well before full-time this felt like a fitting tribute to the Thomas Tuchel era and a mirror of how Brighton looked for most of Potter’s reign.
Chelsea controlled possession and there were plenty of neat passing exchanges but the opposition goalkeeper could easily have had a lie down for long spells of the opening period as it quickly became apparent that it will require plenty of work to turn this team into a free-flowing attacking machine.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, in his second appearance since joining from Barcelona, appeared to lack sharpness for 65 minutes before being substituted for Armando Broja. Kai Havertz drifted in and out of the game, his last act before being replaced a mishit half volley from a very promising position, and Mason Mount often found himself dropping deep.
That none looked particularly decisive in front of goal remains an issue for Potter to solve.
So too a defence that is culpable to the counterattack with captain Cesar Azpilicueta again found wanting for Noah Okafor’s equaliser, which actually came from a rare Thiago Silva error as the visitors broke down the right.
Despite two remaining concerns there were three notable changes in approach, though, and a nod to how Potter’s reign may develop once he has had more time to drill his new players on the training pitch.
The system
The personnel was reshuffled from to the defeat in Zagreb eight days ago but Chelsea still lined up with three at the back.
But within the system there were some clear tweaks. Jorginho was the solitary holding player as Mount was paired alongside Mateo Kovacic in front of him and the wing backs - Reece James on the opposite flank to Sterling - spent much of the evening pushed even higher than during Tuchel's spell.
That meant Havertz and Aubameyang were up top together, though their link up requires plenty of improvement.
Will Potter stick with this set-up beyond the short-term? It was, largely, his go-to at Brighton and Chelsea's squad contains all the pieces required to make it a success. But finding a system that gets a respectable amount of their luxurious talent firing at a high enough level may take some time.
Sterling’s value
Many coaches bristle when it comes to discussing formations. The game is fluid, positions are not as regimented. Yet seeing the opening goalscorer, the star attacking addition from their £270m summer splurge, line up as the nominal left wing back was enough to raise an eyebrow.
Arguably not since his time at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers has Sterling been given a role with such responsibilities off the ball and yet he still looked the home team’s most threatening player long before his fine right-footed finish three minutes after the interval.
With Marc Cucurella, the left-sided centre back this evening, and Ben Chilwell in the squad it would be a huge surprise to see Sterling continue in this particular spot long-term. Especially when it comes to opponents with more threat going forward.
But for Potter the big takeaway will be seeing a key player producing a decisive moment from an unfamiliar role.
Touchline demeanour
Potter’s touchline demeanour is less frenetic than Tuchel’s. The new man is still demonstrative, choosing to applaud pleasing moves with hands above his head, and there was plenty of direction given.
But it is a step down from the ceaseless intensity of being coached by Tuchel. Well before the end there had been murmurings from the dressing room about how exhausting it was to work under a man who rarely dialled his emotions down.
Potter is also happy to delegate, allowing assistant Anthony Barry - who is on to his third head coach at the Bridge having arrived during Frank Lampard’s reign - to emerge from his seat to give orders during the first half.
When Sterling scored the celebration was understated; when Okafor levelled there was no kicking water bottles or angry demonstrations. It will require something remarkable to send the new head coach rushing down the touchline to jubilate in the fashion familiar to his predecessor and perhaps a degree of calm can help as the Blues seek to build something long-term.
