Chelsea start their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zenit, thanks to Lukaku’s decisive goal.
Chelsea began their Champions League title defence with a solid 1-0 victory over Zenit, with Romelu Lukaku’s second-half header proving to be the match-winning moment. The Blues struggled to break down the Russian champions in the first half but found their rhythm after the break.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel praised his team for their intensity and hard work, despite difficulties in creating chances in the first half. “It was a deserved win but it was hard work,” said Tuchel. “We struggled a little bit to create chances, but in the second half, it was easier to find spaces.”
Lukaku’s header in the 69th minute gave Chelsea the lead, and Tuchel highlighted the importance of the striker’s contribution. “It was an excellent header… That’s why he’s here. He likes to score and he was again decisive for us, which is great,” said Tuchel.
The win was also significant for Chelsea’s confidence, as the clean sheet reinforced their defensive solidity. The victory sets them off to a strong start in their quest to defend their European title.
