Chelsea can end a run of two away defeats by winning on the road for the first time since the opening weekend of the Premier League season when the Blues begin their 2022/23 UEFA Champions League campaign with a trip to Dinamo Zagreb.
The reigning Croatian champions are back in the group stage of the competition for the first time since 2019/20, avoiding a third successive unsuccessful qualification campaign by overcoming a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Bodo/Glimt to win the return game 4-1 at home courtesy of two goals in extra time.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Chelsea live updates, highlights from Premier League
30 mins to KO: Chelsea made a number of big signings over the summer. They have overhauled their squad and there’s a sense that Tuchel has still to find the right formula on the pitch, but there’s no denying there is a lot of talent within his squad!
45 mins to KO: Dinamo Zagreb XI: Livakovic (GK) – Ristovski, Sutalo, Peric, Moharrami – Misic, Ljubicic, Ivanusec, Ademi, Orsic – Petkovic
Ljubicic makes his Champions League debut for Dinamo Zagreb this evening. This is a team that will try to keep it compact.
60 mins to KO: Chelsea XI: Kepa (GK) – Azpilicueta, Fofana, Koulibaly – James, Mount, Kovacic, Chilwell – Havertz, Sterling, Aubameyang.
Stadion Maksimir is not the easiest of places to attempt to improve an unconvincing away run. Chelsea’s opponents can make it 20 consecutive games unbeaten at home if they avoid defeat, as well as winning for a 17th time in that run if they start with three points in Group E.
Dinamo Zagreb vs. Chelsea predicted lineups
Defender Bosko Sutalo, who joined Dinamo from Italian side Atalanta for £3.6 million ($4.1m) in June, may not return this season after having surgery on ligament damage.
Midfielder Robert Ljubicic — a £2.25 ($2.6m) addition in midfield from Rapid Vienna — and forward Josip Drmic, who arrived on a free from Norwich City, could make their Champions League debuts for the club.
The duo were introduced from the bench as Dinamo won 3-1 at home on Friday to Rijeka, the team in last place in the Croatian top flight.
Date / Time: Tuesday, September 6, 2022, 17.45 BST; 12:45pm EDT; 10:15pm IST
Venue: Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb, Croatia
Referee: István Kovács (on pitch); Paolo Valeri (VAR)
Forecast: hot, searing sunshine, especially with the early evening kick-off