Chelsea fall to shock Champions League defeat at Dinamo Zagreb

Mislav Orsic's early goal condemned listless Chelsea to a chastening 1-0 Champions League defeat at Dinamo Zagreb.

Croatia forward Orsic’s breakaway goal proved enough for Dinamo to topple the 2021 Champions League winners at the Maksimir Stadium.

Reece James struck a post at the death but Dinamo were not to be denied a victory as famous and deserved for the hosts as it could prove damaging for the Blues.

Thomas Tuchel’s rudderless and insipid Chelsea dominated the ball from first to last but proved worryingly toothless in the final third.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was denied a debut goal when he tapped in from Ben Chilwell’s cross only for the England full-back to be ruled offside from Mateo Kovacic’s pass.

New striker Aubameyang appeared tentative on his Blues bow, though the Gabon forward can be afforded leeway given he featured with a face mask to protect his broken jaw.

Chelsea’s other off-kilter charges can proffer precious little excuse however, amid the latest troublesome result for the Blues.

The new Stamford Bridge bosses might have spent a Premier League-record £273m in the summer transfer window, but this is still a team in transition.

Dinamo have never reached the Champions League knock-out stages, and yet the homespun hosts still had enough to see off the two-time tournament winners.

Chelsea have now gone six games without a clean sheet and boss Tuchel’s frustrations were encapsulated in another yellow card – following his sending-off in the 2-2 draw with Spurs.

Tuchel will need no telling that Chelsea must find momentum, and fast, to avoid the new era turning into a crossroads.

Mason Mount dropped into a new role in defensive midfield alongside Kovacic. A smart idea in theory from Tuchel, attempting to capitalise on