Pedro
scored a vital away goal for Chelsea in their Europa League semi-final first
leg 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
There was a raucous atmosphere ahead of kick-off and the home fans were
rewarded when Luka Jovic headed home in the 23rd minute.
But Chelsea soon found their rhythm and Pedro made it count with the
equaliser - and an away goal - as he fired home on the stroke of half-time.
Chelsea should have added another in the second half, with David Luiz
hitting the crossbar with a free-kick, but the tie remains finely-poised for
next Thursday's second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Frankfurt were the better side in the opening exchanges and captain David
Abraham could have put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute after Fliip
Kostic's free kick was flicked on into his path, but he lifted his shot over
the crossbar.
Player ratings
Eintracht Frankfurt: Trapp (7), Hinteregger (7), Abraham
(7), Hasebe (6), Falette (6), Fernandes (6), Rode (7), Da Costa (7), Jovic
(6), Kostic (7), Gacinovic (6).
Subs used: Paciencia (6), Willems (n/a).
Chelsea: Kepa (6), Azpilicueta (7), Luiz (7), Christensen
(6), Emerson (6), Kante (7), Jorginho (7), Loftus-Cheek (8), Willian (6),
Giroud (6), Pedro (7).
Subs used: Hazard (6), Kovacic (n/a).
Man of the match: Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Two minutes later though, Frankfurt had their opener. Some poor control from
Chelsea in midfield allowed the hosts to set Kostic away down the left-hand
side. He then fired in a cross and Jovic - who had got in between two
Chelsea defenders - guided it home with a low header for his 26th goal of
the season.
This seemed to jolt Chelsea and they went close not long after as Pedro
fired a volley towards goal, which just whistled past the post, before Ruben
Loftus-Cheek darted across the top of the box before shooting wide.
Team news
Eintracht Frankfurt made two changes with Ante Rebic and Jonathan de Guzman
replaced with Simon Falette and Mijat Gacinovic. Chelsea made five changes
with Eden Hazard starting on the bench, along with Marcos Alonso, Mateo
Kovacic and Gonzalo Higuain while Antonio Rudiger is injured. Andreas
Christensen, Emerson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Olivier Giroud and Pedro came into
the XI.
The two were involved again on the stroke of half time as Chelsea nabbed
their equaliser. After Willian's initial corner had been cleared,
Loftus-Cheek received the ball on the left of the area but with nowhere to
go, he played the ball back to Pedro. Despite a number of players closing
in, the Spaniard showed great feet and fired the ball into the bottom
corner.
Chelsea continued on the front foot for the second half and twice went close
before the hour mark. After a superb, driving run and a one-two with Pedro,
Loftus-Cheek lifted a shot just over the crossbar before a David Luiz free
kick rattled the upright. He managed to lift the ball over the wall but the
fingertips of Kevin Trapp sent the effort clattering onto the post.
Eden Hazard was introduced not long after and was involved in two fine
Chelsea chances around the 75-minute mark. Loftus-Cheek shot straight at
Trapp, who pushed it away, and Hazard was only able to blaze the rebound
over. He then whipped a superb free kick into the area, but Luiz also sent
his bullet header into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Despite looking tired for much of the second half, Frankfurt rallied in the
final ten minutes and twice could have nabbed the winner. Another wonderful
cross from Danny da Costa just missed the run of Goncalo Paciencia before
Abraham headed over the crossbar when unmarked, six yards out.
Man of the match - Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Loftus-Cheek was preferred to Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley in the middle
of the park and it proved a good choice. The 23-year-old was a pillar of
strength and tenacity in the Chelsea midfield, making driving forward runs
that Frankfurt just could not stop.
He had a few good chances to boot and was unfortunate not to be rewarded
with a goal or an assist. He was understandably disappointed to be
substituted in the 82nd minute but has put himself in pole position for a
starting role in the last few games of the season.
What's next?
Chelsea host Watford on Sunday in the Premier League (kick-off at 2pm)
before next week's return leg at Stamford Bridge. They then travel to
Leicester on the final day of the season on Sunday, 12 May. Eintracht
Frankfurt travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga on Sunday before
coming to London on Thursday.
When is the Europa League final?
The Europa League final, the 10th in its current format and 48th overall of
Europe's second-tier competition, will take place on Wednesday, May 29.
Kick-off is at 8pm (BST), 9pm (CEST).
UEFA Press Kit
Teams
Eintracht Frankfurt Trapp, Abraham, Hinteregger, Falette,
da Costa, Fernandes (Paciencia 73), Hasebe, Rode, Kostic, Gacinovic (Willems
90+2), Jovic
Subs Not Used Ronnow, Ndicka, de Guzman, Torro, Chandler
Booked Hasebe, Fernandes,
Goals Jovic 23
Chelsea Arrizabalaga; Azpilicueta (c), Christensen, Luiz,
Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek (Kovacic 83), Pedro, Giroud, William
(Hazard 61)
Subs Not Used Caballero, Zappacosta, Alonso, Barkley,
Higuain
Booked Christensen
Goals Pedro 45
Attendance 48,000
Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
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