CHELSEA v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

The Champions League is back after the international break. The Rossoneri will play Chelsea twice in the space of six days, with Saturday's Serie A match against Juventus in between. This will be an intriguing clash in Group E and is vital for the Rossoneri as they look to maintain some good form going into a busy period ahead of the international break in November. Last time out, the Blues beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, though the West London side have had a stuttering start to the season, having won just four of their nine games (D2, L3) in all competitions so far this season, even changing their head coach.

Thomas Tuchel has been replaced by Englishman Graham Potter at the helm. Fun fact: the Blues have a negative goal difference in 2022/23 with eleven goals scored and twelve conceded (-1). Furthermore, the Blues have kept just one clean sheet, against Everton in their opening Premier League game of the season on 6 August. In light of this trend, the Rossoneri will surely have to contend with a Chelsea side hungry to build some form and put together a run of good results. 

POSSESSION AND HIGH PRESSING: CHELSEA'S STYLE
Despite taking just one point in the Champions League this season, the stats show that Chelsea lead the way in various regards. The Londoners have in fact had more possession (70%) than any other team in the competition and are third for the number of total passes (1,304) behind only Real Madrid and Manchester City. When they lose the ball, the Blues quickly go on the hunt to regain possession. Only Barcelona (30) and Manchester City (29) have registered more offensive recoveries than the Blues (28). Furthermore, Chelsea are miserly at the back, having conceded the fewest shots of any team in the Champions League so far this season (just 10), fewer than half of AC Milan's total (23). 

KEEP AN EYE ON STERLING AT STAMFORD BRIDGE
Among their many stars, key man Raheem Sterling is surely the one to watch at Chelsea. The England international moved to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in the summer and has adapted well to life in the capital. As well being Chelsea's top scorer in all competitions this season with four goals to his name, he is also the only player to have started in all of the Blues' nine matches at the start of this season. After scoring against Salzburg, Sterling could become just the second player in Chelsea history to score in each of his first two Champions League games at the Bridge after Oscar in 2012/13. Another key player for the West London outfit in the build-up is Jorginho. As well as being good with the ball at his feet, he guarantees balance both in phases of possession and when his side are without the ball. Among the players who have won all of their duels in this season's Champions League, the Italy international has won the most (16).

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