Match Report: Chelsea’s defensive tactics fail as Blues beaten 1-0 in EFL Cup semi final | OneFootball

Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates in the EFL Cup semi final, meaning an elimination 4-2 on aggregate.

The first half went just as Chelsea wanted, and showed a very smart plan from Liam Rosenior. He left his best attacking players on the bench and set up his team in a defensive back 5 setup.

Despite the fact that his team needed a goal, Rosenior knew the pressure would be on Arsenal, playing at home in front of an expectant crowd, to make the play. Instead the Gunners sat back, Chelsea matched them, and a cagey first period saw the home fans getting more and more nervy, knowing it would take just one moment from Chelsea to level things up.

As the second period started, the question became – when would Liam Rosenior play his trump cards. Cole Palmer and Estevao warmed up menacingly on the touchline.

When they finally appeared after an hour, Chelsea switched to a back four and certainly had more attacking intent. But they were still facing a very strong defensive unit, and struggled to make inroads. The game opened up in general, but as it approached the 80th minute it was still advantage to the Gunners.

Chelsea put more and more men forward, but were frustratingly poor at creating shots or even getting in positions to cross from. The idea of starting slowly was a good one, but the changes and the urgency needed to come far sooner. Arsenal finally scored with the last kick of the game, with most of the Blues pushed forward.

MOTM – Wesley Fofana

Analysis

Liam Rosenior on the touchline against Arsenal. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

A lot will be made of Liam Rosenior’s decisions – from leaving Reece James out of the squad to leaving Estevao and Cole Palmer out of the starting lineup. His formation and tactics have been questioned too. But as much as anything, the problem was what happened when we tried to spring our trap.

There was just not enough attacking fluency or confidence. With all our best attackers on the pitch and the formation changed, we barely looked any more threatening than when he had turtled up. Some of these attackers aren’t good enough, some are out of form, and serious coaching and thinking is needed.

Teams

Arsenal Kepa Arrizabalaga Jurrien Timber William Saliba Magalhaes Gabriel Piero Hincapie Eberechi Eze Martin Zubimendi Declan Rice Noni Madueke Viktor Gyokeres Gabriel Martinelli

Substitutes David Raya Cristhian Mosquera Ben White Fernando Gabriel Jesus Christian Norgaard Leandro Trossard (s 69′) Kai Havertz (s 69′) Riccardo Calafiori Myles Lewis-Skelly

Chelsea Robert Sanchez Wesley Fofana Trevoh Chalobah Jorrel Hato Malo Gusto Moises Caicedo Andrey Santos Enzo Fernandez Marc Cucurella Liam Delap Joao Pedro

Substitutes Teddy Sharman-Lowe Josh Acheampong (s 87′) Benoit Badiashile Cole Palmer (s 60′) de Oliveira Estevao (s 60′) Alejandro Garnacho (s 75′) Marc Guiu Shumaira Mheuka Charlie Holland

Stats

Quote of the game