Chelsea suffer shock defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in Champions League opener

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.

Defeat in Zagreb. @WhaleFinApp | #UCL pic.twitter.com/LIx51tiqNG

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 6, 2022

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 £273million 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.

FT 90'+8 Dinamo - Chelsea 1:0 (Oršić)