LILLE, FRANCE (AFP) – Chelsea put their off-field troubles to 1 aspect to seal a spot within the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday (March 16) as a Cesar Azpilicueta objective clinched a 2-1 win at Lille within the second leg of their last-16 tie, and a 4-1 combination victory.
Reeling from the impression of UK authorities sanctions imposed on their Russian billionaire proprietor Roman Abramovich, the London membership appeared rattled as they fell behind in northern France to a first-half Burak Yilmaz penalty.
Lille had given themselves an opportunity of salvaging the tie following their 2-0 defeat within the first leg at Stamford Bridge final month, however Christian Pulisic equalised on the night time in first-half stoppage time and captain Azpilicueta acquired the winner within the 71st minute.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions exit, and following Paris Saint-Germain’s beautiful exit final week it means there shall be no French membership in Friday’s draw for the Champions League quarter-finals.
In distinction, defending European champions Chelsea make it three Premier League golf equipment within the hat as they be part of Liverpool and Manchester City within the final eight.
“It has not been a normal last few weeks but we have to do what is in our hands, which is train the best we can. Tonight it was a difficult game and of course we are happy to go through,” Azpilicueta informed British broadcaster BT Sport.
“This group fights against everything, we know we have to do the best we can on the pitch, we stick together and hopefully end up having a very good season.”
Coach Thomas Tuchel had insisted there may very well be no excuses for his group regardless of the Blues being left in turmoil after Abramovich’s belongings have been frozen, with Chelsea solely being allowed to proceed working by the British authorities beneath a particular licence.
They have been banned from promoting tickets and have been informed they may not spend greater than £20,000 (S$35,000) per match on journey prices, throwing their plans for this journey throughout the English Channel into some disarray.
Before kick-off on Wednesday it emerged that the Ricketts household, house owners of Major League Baseball group the Chicago Cubs, have been main a consortium trying to purchase the membership whereas British athletics nice Sebastian Coe introduced his involvement in a rival bid.
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Penalty offers Lille hope
On the pitch Lille regarded decided so as to add to Chelsea’s woes as they began at a wonderful tempo and Yilmaz twice got here shut within the early phases.
The guests misplaced Danish defender Andreas Christensen to damage simply after the half-hour mark, and his alternative, Trevoh Chalobah, was booked for flattening Jonathan David inside seconds of approaching.
Lille then gained a penalty within the thirty eighth minute when Italian referee Davide Massa was alerted by the VAR to a handball within the field by Jorginho.
He pointed to the spot after reviewing the pictures, and veteran Turkish striker Yilmaz made no mistake.
Yet the house aspect, crucially, couldn’t maintain their lead till the break.
In the third added minute Jorginho slid a terrific go into the trail of Pulisic within the field, and the United States worldwide discovered the far nook.
That took the sting out of the sport and Lille’s remaining hopes of a comeback have been ended once they misplaced two of their defenders, Zeki Celik and Sven Botman, to damage simply earlier than the hour mark.
Xeka rattled the submit with a header from a Yilmaz cross within the 63rd minute however identical to their solely earlier last-16 look – a defeat in opposition to Manchester United in 2007 – Lille discovered English opposition to be simply too sturdy.
“The players can be really proud because they played really well against a great team. We didn’t deserve to lose tonight,” insisted Lille coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.
Lose they did as Chelsea acquired their second objective when substitute Mason Mount’s cross from the left was turned in by the knee of Azpilicueta on the again submit, and the skipper ran throughout to rejoice with the travelling assist excessive within the far nook of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
