01 November 2021, 10:12 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
After 48 matches and 145 goals, the star-studded league of champions returns with Malmö FF hosting Chelsea at the Eleda Stadion in a bid to salvage what is left of their UEFA Champions League campaign on Matchday 4. The second leg of this double-header kicks off at 18:45 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, November 2. Ajax’s Sébastien Haller remains at the top of the UCL goal scorers’ list with 6 goals, while United’s Bruno Fernandes has the highest number of assists, 4. With three clean sheets in as many games, Juve’s Wojciech Szczęsny and Bayern’s Manuel Neuer haven’t let a goal beyond their lines.
Preview Malmö FF Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview Malmö comes off the back of a 3-2 win against IK Sirius Fotboll on the Swedish domestic front, Allsvenskan. Having led minutes into the second half, they returned from a goal deficit to secure three points, thanks to a brace from Antonio Colak (76’ & 90’+2). Back on continental soil, the Swedish outfit has an ax to grind with the Blues, having been thrashed 4-0 by the UCL title holders. Taking a look at images from Matchday 3, the Swedes were completely blown away, having no answer to the questions Chelsea posed right from the get-go at Stamford Bridge. Minutes into the game, Lukaku forced a save from the visiting side’s goalkeeper, before a half-footed acrobatic volley from Andreas Christensen (9’) – his first-ever goal for Chelsea – separated both sides. A Jorginho-styled penalty (21’) doubled Chelsea’s lead before Kai Havertz (48’) chipped in with a goal of his own. Three minutes from the hour, Jorginho (57’ P.) hit the back of the net once again from twelve yards. The defeat left Malmö rooted to the bottom of Group H with no points while having a huge G.D. of -11 after three games: 0W, 0D & 3L. The Swedish champions must beat Chelsea on Tuesday in a late bid to keep playing continental football at the end of the UCL group stage. However, it appears history will repeat itself. The club finished fourth in the lot in both previous group appearances of the UEFA Champions League, winning one game and losing the other five in each instance. Malmö has back-to-back victories in five games across all competitions: WLDWW. On Tuesday, manager Jon Dahl Tomasson could line up the dynamic 3—5—2 formation, with Colak pairing up with Veljko Birmancevic in attack. Colak has 11 goals for the club in 22 domestic appearances. Center-backs Franz Brorsson and Lasse Nielsen will miss the next match if they get booked on Tuesday.
Preview Chelsea Champions League, Nov 2, 2021
Preview Chelsea are off the back of Saturday's 3-0 win over Newcastle United on Premier League soil. The club makes its entry into the circle of champions, unbeaten in five games across all competitions: WWWDW. Second in Group H, the Blues have 6 points after 2W, 0D & 1L. A win for Thomas Tuchel would see Chelsea close the gap at the top of the table if Juventus fail to defeat F.C. Zenit in another Group H fixture on Tuesday. Lukaku and Timo Werner are in the doubt, hence a 3—4—2—1 formation with Kai Havertz at the top appears to be on the horizon for Chelsea.