Lille suffer blow before Chelsea Champions League clash as Thomas Tuchel faces anxious wait



Champions League holders Chelsea will continue to attempt to defend their crown as they go against LOSC Lille tomorrow night in the first leg of the round of 16.

The Blues go into the game on a high following the club’s victory against Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

It was looking increasingly likely that the points were going to be shared, but in the 89th minute, Hakim Ziyech converted Marco Alonso’s deep cross at the back post, with the Moroccan international’s goal proving to be the difference between the two sides.

Lille on the other hand experienced a hammer blow in their pursuit of a European finish following their stalemate with Metz, who currently sit 19th in France’s top flight.

The game ended on a sour note with Lille substitute Edon Zhegrova seeing red late into injury time following a second yellow card whilst Metz coach Frederic Antonetti was also sent off for his part in an altercation with the Lille coaching staff.

The result against a team who were winless in their previous three league encounters prior to last Friday’s domestic clash will do little to boost the French clubs’ confidence going into the game at Stamford Bridge.

Ahead of the tie, manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken about whether first team members Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi will be available for selection, who were both missing against the Eagles last Saturday.

“We try, we try to have them for Tuesday. Azpi has some groin problems and felt a pain in the last action of the day before yesterday’s training,” Tuchel said

“Callum tried yesterday in training but also felt some pain around the Achilles, a bit of inflammation, but the pain was too strong so that is why both were out today.”





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