Chelsea 3-0 Malmo FF: 5 Talking Points & Tactical Analysis | Europa League 2018-19

#2 The confidence monkey just doesn't get off Chelsea's back in the opening stages

Chelsea's skipper ventured forward many a time in the opening stages

Chelsea started the game on a positive note, racking up passes and falling into their configurations without any delay. However, apart from a header that Giroud skewed wide off goal and a couple of other attempts, they had no significant attempts on target.

Despite tons of recycling of possession, they had no real opportunities to show for it. They did work hard, but lack of movement in the final third frustrated Sarri down the touchline, as he chewed on to his cigarette butt with anguish and disgust as the first half wore on.

Malmo too had a big chance to score inside the first 10 minutes of the outing, when Andreas Vindheim whipped in a delightful cross into the box, only for Bengtsson to direct his header wide.