Graham Potter, who was appointed on Thursday to replace the dismissed Thomas Tuchel, made his debut today on the Chelsea bench who are under pressure to win at Stamford Bridge against Salzburg after the ‘blues’ lost against the odds on the first day of this group E of the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb. A 1-0 led to Tuchel’s sudden dismissal. Earlier, Milan will open the day aiming to add to their first league win at the San Siro against the Croatians, surprise leaders, after starting the competition with a 1-1 draw at Salzburg.
Potter was due to make his debut on Saturday against Fulham but the suspension of the Premier League due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II has postponed his European debut today. It was no ordinary match for him as it was also the first in the Champions League for Brighton’s manager, who had never participated in the tournament.
Potter, a Champions fan
“My experiences in the Champions League are only at the amateur level,” Potter admitted yesterday in his first press conference after his appointment. “But obviously I experienced the Europa League with Östersund,” recalled the English coach, who led the Swedish team from 2011 to 2018 and in his last season took them to the 1/16 final.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho admitted the change in coach was “obviously a surprise to everyone”. And he doesn’t blame Tuchel: “We are a team and what happened is our responsibility.”
Kepa, starter and unknown Aubameyang
Graham Potter is missing N’Golo Kanté, who is still recovering from his muscle injury, and Édouard Mendy in goal, so the Basque Kepa Arrizabalaga will start as in Zagbreb.
Meanwhile, Potter will have to decide whether to start newcomer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as well or wait for his chance on the bench. Along with Tuchel he made his debut against Dinamo Zagreb after arriving at Chelsea from Barça on the last day of the market.
Likely lineups
Chelsea-Salzburg
Stamford Bridge, 9:00 p.m
Chelsea: Kepa; Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Cucurella; Mount, Sterling and Havertz
Coach: Graham Potter
Salzburg: Kohn; Dedic, Pavlovic, Bernardo, Ulmer; Seiwald; Capaldo, Kameri, Kjaergaard; Okafor and Fernando
Coach: Matthias Jaissle
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (Slovakia)
Source: La Verdad
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