Introduction
Chelsea get their 2022/23 Champions League campaign underway with an away game against Dinamo Zagreb. The Croatian Champions may be seen as underdogs but with a squad full of ‘Football Managers style’ young talents as well as a few more familiar names, they must be taken seriously.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, making it impossible to look at past match history. Zagreb sit top of their domestic league though and are currently invincible, so they are in good form. This match will also serve as a homecoming for Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian midfielder started his senior career for Dinamo Zagreb and spent six years playing for the club at various levels.
The team news is where things start to get interesting for Chelsea. Dennis Zakaria and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both fit and available after their deadline day moves, although Aubameyang will be playing with a protective face mask. The only absentees are N’Golo Kante who is injured and Thiago Silva who is being rested. Apart from that, the squad is fully fit.
For Zagreb, they have no big injury concerns to report.
This Champions League group is one that Chelsea should be qualifying from although AC Milan will be a difficult rival for top spot. This will naturally be Chelsea’s aim so getting an early win and setting the precedent will be important for this group. Tuchel will also be hoping to see his debutants impress and show their value in what will hopefully be a victory for the Blues.
Ahead of the match, some of the writers at The Chelsea Social have shared their match predictions.
Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea Predictions
Maria Dulce (@usernamedulce)
Saturday’s nerve-wracking game against West Ham might have worked as a big confidence boost going into the team’s first Champions League match. Accordingly, Thomas Tuchel will likely choose his starting lineup based on the last game’s stand-out performances.
The first names that come to mind have got to be who appeared on the scoresheet. Ben Chilwell for example, arguably won his place back as a starter, adding fuel to the left wing-back competition with Marc Cucurella. As for Kai Havertz, his scoring drought is finally over after coming on as a sub late in the game and bagging what turned out to be a crucial goal. Furthermore, with Thiago Silva being given a rest, we should expect a formation on the backline of Koulibaly, Chalobah and the newcomer, Fofana.
Moreover, meeting Dinamo Zagreb comes when Chelsea should be turning the key over and getting past the ineffective attacking and defensive systems. As a theoretically weaker opposition, the Blues hopefully will turn into group leaders and go back to London with three points. Thus, my prediction is Dinamo Zagreb 0 – 2 Chelsea.
Up the Chels!
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Chelsea
Rey Stevinho (@Rey_Blues30)
The return of Champions League football is upon us and with it, the anticipation of a strong performance. After several weeks of lacklustre and substandard showings from Tuchel’s side, Chelsea will have to shake off the summer cobwebs and seek a strong start to the European campaign.
Nevertheless, the problems are the still there, and the lack of attacking bite was exhibited this past weekend. The addition of Aubameyang could help our attackers, especially Sterling who has been used as a false 9 of late. This could help liberate space for Sterling to attack. The presence of Armando Broja is also comforting as his cameos over the past weeks have been reassuring and he could get a start tomorrow.
I predict a feisty start from the home side as Dinamo Zagreb are undefeated in their last 4 matches. This is a team that is used to winning so it won’t be a easy affair. The home side will have its passionate fans behind them, and I expect it to affect our performance, especially in the early stages of the match.
This will be a match where we’ll have chances to score and but we’ll also make mistakes that will lead to dangerous transitions for the home side. The final score will be a nervy 1-0 win for the Blues.
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Chelsea
Rosy Cobb (@WeKnowWWA)
A return to the Champions League takes Chelsea to Croatia’s capital Zagreb where they take on Dinamo, former employers of blues star Mateo Kovacic. New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has travelled with the squad and will be hoping to get his first minutes as a Chelsea player, though he is still suffering from a broken jaw.
It is likely that some rotation will take place, so Cesar Azpilicueta and Ben Chilwell could be in line for starting recalls, the latter having impressed with his instant impact at the weekend to get Chelsea back on level terms. Goalkeeper Kepa could also feature, following some knocks to Edouard Mendy’s fitness and performances lately.
The last few games haven’t seen great performances from Chelsea; we’ve seen nowhere near enough chances being created or shots on target executed. There are no easy away games in the Champions League and if the team don’t come out and play from the first whistle, there could be a risk of dropping early group points. Ultimately, I see Chelsea coming away with the three points and a 2-0 win against a side who had to go through three qualifying rounds to get to this competition.
Prediction: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Chelsea
Written by Chelsea Extra (@CFCExtra)
Edited by Luka Foley (@LukaFoleySPJ)
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