They are from Belarus. We don't have Hazard to call on. Not on any accessible US TV channel I can find (wtf is B/R live?) but it's possible talksport will have it on the audio. Head to Head: Chelsea 0 wins. BATE 0 wins. Draws, um zero. Key players for BATE? Seems they share the goals around (4 scorers in the top 10 of the league but none particularly prolific). Domestic pedigree: Won the last 12 Belarus league titles. European pedigree. Have beaten Roma and Bayen in the last few years in the Champions League so wouldn't take them too lightly. Shouldn't have too many problems if we come out as professionals.
I don't like both Pedro and Willian playing. We need better rotation. Give Hudson-Odoi a damn chance. We're playing BATE he can handle it.
CHO did have an injury not too long ago, one of the reasons he didn't feature in the last europa game. though yea, for sure he should get a good chunk of time. like the RLC is starting. i may just pony up $3 to watch this hot mess
RLC gets a goal in the first two minutes! GREAT finish. arrived late in the box and gets a low cross in from the right, buries it far corner with pressure on. intelligent floating in to space in the box there too. worth mentioning barkley seemed to be really happy for him on the bench too.
aaaaaaand 2-0. RLC holds off a bear hugging defender on a corner and turns it in with a side foot finish. just too much space for chelsea. so that's RLC on a hattrick in 7 mins.
zappacosta's default setting is cross. would really like to see him help work it back in more. edit: or shoot from way too far out.
chelsea finding lots of space. honestly, it's hard to say if that's the system working or just the opposition. the two goals were naive defending, but still good plays by RLC.
fabregas still wanting to play a bit long, i'm going to guess that sarri will have a word with him. though to be fair, he's getting the time to do it, so maybe that's his second option.
having two 8's that can dribble like this at the same time is pretty entertaining. both RLC and Kovacic are running circles.
team is playing well. unfortunately fabregas is having an off night. and Emerson looks good going forward but a little suspect defending (not overly surprising). Zappa is all legs. otherwise everyone has been good to very good and kovacic just not quite getting the bounce to let some shots off.
good lord, christensen just went all in full speed on a slide to keep a corner just a throw in and gets an arm burn for his trouble. seemed almost a little TOO committed.
there's just a little bit of individualism creeping in to this game. just at times, and when in an advanced position. feel like there are some real opportunities for team goals here, but a few times people have gone alone.
2-0 halftime. should have more. want to see CHO on early if possible. otherwise this squad should keep pushing on.
Hat-trick! Ok RLC has to start playing a role. He is a credible goal threat. Already has more goals than Morata
dudes.... RLC picks it up in midfield and sets pedro loose and follows the play, pedro has his shot deflected and its rolls out to RLC with a bit of pace and he VERY calmly passes/curls it in from outside the box left side to far post right. keeper got a touch but not enough, settles in bottom corner. HAT TRICK for RLC
RLC has been very good tonight. i will say the defending from BATE hasn't been the best...but he also has gotten himself in really good positions and finished. and man he can dance around people at times. and so can kovacic.