BATE 0-1 Chelsea: 5 Talking Points and Tactical Analysis, Europa League 2018/19

An Olivier Giroud strike proved to be enough for Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea as they outclassed BATE Borisov away from home by 1-0 to qualify for the knockout stages of the Europa League. The Frenchman met a cross from Emerson Palmieri in the 51st minute to hand his side the lead, and eventually the winner.

The Blues dominated proceedings for the entirety of the contest but found it hard work breaking a rather resolute BATE defence. The hosts too, had rare but clear-cut opportunities, but failed to test Chelsea often.

With 12 points, three clean sheets and four wins in a row in the European tournament, Chelsea have qualified to the round-of-64 and extended their unbeaten start to the season to 17 matches.

Here are 5 major talking points from Chelsea's 1-0 victory over BATE Borisov.

#1 Maurizio Sarri names a starting XI with a few surprises

Sarri named seven changes to the starting line-up

Maurizio Sarri named a strong starting XI against the Belarusian champions. In his press conference ahead of the clash, he had mentioned that Eden Hazard would be ready to play around 45-40 minutes after having recovered from a back injury. Against many predictions, the Italian mastermind drafted his star man straight back into the playing XI.

The defence meanwhile, was completely changed as envisioned. Club captain Gary Cahill started alongside Andreas Christensen at the heart of defence. Sarri's most preferred center-back pair - David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger - did not even travel with the squad.

Emerson Palmieri and Davide Zappacosta started on either sides of the four-man defence in place of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was handed another start owing to his recent returns and rise in form, whereas Ross Barkley, who started Chelsea's previous game, kick-started this one too.

Against many prophecies, Mateo Kovacic was on the bench again. Willian, who was taken off at the hour mark, was expected to start this one as well. However, Sarri opted to play Pedro, who played full 90 minutes against Crystal Palace last time out.

Although seven alterations were made, Sarri chose a strong, star-studded line-up.

His substitutions were spot on albeit, as he removed Eden Hazard and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the hour mark or so in place of Willian and Mateo Kovacic respectively. Both Hazard and Loftus-Cheek looked far from their best.

#2 BATE provide early scare but Chelsea settle in

Under the coldest of atmospheres, BATE and their supporters looked totally up for the Chelsea challenge. Maksim Skavysh met a whipping cross and attempted an overhead kick, but his effort was just wide. The wingers played a couple of one-twos but failed to produce the final pass.

Moments later in the 11th minute, the hosts survived a cross and darted forward. Dragun teed up Dmitri Baga on the edge of the box. The right midfielder stung a fierce shot and beat Arrizabalaga's substantial frame, but was unfortunately denied by the frame of goal.

In the very next minute, Jorginho conceded a corner. Dragun's header forced another save from the Blues' custodian. The ball was stuck in that dangerous area, before being cleared by a teal blue shirt.

However, the visitors clawed their way back into the game and played pass after pass after pass as BATE setup a packed defensive structure to ensure a shut-out. The first half ended with around 78% possession in favour of Chelsea. Although they couldn't muster a shot on target, the home side never looked like getting back into the game.

#3 Olivier Giroud finally breaks the deadlock; the aerial route works for Chelsea

After 794 long minutes, Olivier Giroud finally found the back of the net for Chelsea. He attacked a teasing cross from Emerson at the near post and blazed his header past the opposition keeper to break the deadlock and give his side a much-deserved lead.

Chelsea had recycled possession over and over again but reaped no rewards. BATE packed the central areas with seven-eight bodies behind the ball. The ball was often forced out to the wider players, who, according to the style and system of football under their new manager, play lesser long passes and crosses.

However, with Zappacosta and Emerson - two players who love to overlap and flood crosses into the box - we knew the approach would be different. The Blues played more than twice the number of crosses they had in the previous two matches.

Against a tough yet well-drilled side at home, it was necessary to commit more bodies inside the box and attempt crosses and longer through balls. Emerson accurately found Giroud, who made no mistake and proved how lethal he can be in the air.

#4 There was no way out for BATE in the end

Yes, BATE Borisov gave Chelsea a real run for their money. Yes, they were defensively organized and well-positioned more often than not. Yes, they had the legs in them for the entirety of the 90 minutes. But in the end, it never looked like they could get their way back into the game.

The Blues constantly pressed them down and forced the longer ball. And with the titanic frames of Christensen, Cahill and Loftus-Cheek in midfield, they won the ball back and set out to attack time and time again.

On the back of a couple of corners and other dead balls, the hosts managed to strike the post again, but apart from that, there was nothing to test Arrizabalaga.

The plan was to defend deep and keep the game alive till the end, but Chelsea stuck to their plans, played to their strengths and didn't allow their opponents to have a sniff of their goal.

For Alyaksey Baha though, the defensive performance and the energy levels portrayed by his players will be a huge positive to take into the final two group fixtures.

#5 Goal-scoring problems?

Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in all competitions - a streak that included 14 wins and three draws. A lot of talks has been going around regarding Sarri's instant impact, Eden Hazard's sparkling form, Ross Barkley's resurgence and Jorginho's influence, but apart from all of these, the pundits and supporters alike have heavily criticized Chelsea's forwards - Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud.

Both of them have their own drawbacks, many would say. But now, Giroud has a goal and more importantly, was seen linking up play despite the overloaded pressure from BATE inside their box. His one-touch passes, flicks and the awareness is a rare commodity these days.

Morata on the other hand, has drawn heavy denunciation for his lack of consistency and a lesser clinical nature in front of goal. The Spaniard is now a willing runner though - someone who is running off the back of defenders, attacking the ball better and proving his class. He now has four goals in his last four matches.

So now, are Chelsea's forwards really proving to be a burden on Maurizio Sarri? Think again, as they are unique and useful in their own ways, against differently built opponents.

Edited by Sripad