The 2019/20 Champions League got under way on Tuesday night as the English teams -Liverpool and Chelse- fell to defeats in their opening group stage matches.
It was a Dries Mertens penalty and Fernando Llorente’s injury-time strike following that saw Liverpool get the defence of their crown off to a losing start in Naples as Napoli secured a 2-0 victory.
In a similar situation, Ross Barkley fluffed a late penalty after arguing with Willian over who should take it as Chelsea were beaten 1-0 at Stamford Bridge by their Spanish opponents Valencia.
It was a disappointing start to Frank Lampard’s debut Champions League campaign, with the Blues also losing Mason Mount to injury following a nasty tackle from former Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin.
Valencia were supposed to be there for the taking, having arrived in west London in turmoil following the sacking of popular boss Marcelino last week, a move which has angered the players as well as the fans.
But in the 74th minute they stunned Stamford Bridge into silence, with Rodrigo giving the Chelsea defence the slip as he raced onto Daniel Parejo’s chipped free-kick and swept the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The drama reached fever pitch five minutes from time when Chelsea’s players appealed for a handball, and replays did indeed show Fikayo Tomori’s header had struck the hand of defender Daniel Wass.
After an interminable VAR delay a spot-kick was finally given but Barkley, on as a substitute just seven minutes earlier, took responsibility only to crash his effort against the frame of the goal.
Additional Report obtainted from Talk Sport
