Saved by his new goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy, last Saturday against Manchester United (0-0), Frannk Lampard's Chelsea will go out this Wednesday in the Krasnodar field for its first victory in the 2020-21 Champions League league, after debuting 0-0 last week against Sevilla at Stamford Bridge in Group E of the tournament. Krasnodar, meanwhile, started in the league with a 1-1 against Rennes.
Lampard hopes that, after three consecutive draws, his Chelsea meet again with the Russian team with the victory. Since they beat Crystal Palace 4-0 on October 3, the London team made a draw with Southampton (3-3), Sevilla and Manchester United. The 'blues' coach is confident that his offensive power, with Timo Werner, Kai Havertz or Tammy Abraham, among others, will prevail at the Krasnodar Stadium this afternoon.
Lampard knows his team cannot stumble again. Chelsea, 10th in the Premier table, 4 points behind the two that command it, Everton and Liverpool, has for today the casualties of Marco Alonso due to suspension and Billy Gilmour due to injury. Kepa doubts as a substitute goalkeeper due to shoulder discomfort.
Krasnodar receives many casualties to Stamford Bridge, all due to injury: Ari, Wanderson, Sergei Petrov, Viktor Claesson and Dmitry Stotski, plus Rémy Cabella due to illness). Today's rival Chelsea lost 1-3 on Saturday against the leaders of the Russian League, Spartak Moscow, which is 9 points behind. The Krasnodar is 8th on the table of the Russian championship.
Krasnodar-Chelsea
Stadium Krasnodar, 18.55
Krasnodar: Safonov; Chernov, Kaio, Martynovich, Smolnikov; Ramírez, Vilhena, Gazinski, Suleymanov, Utkin; Markov or Berg
Chelsea: Mendy; James, Silva, Zouma, Chilwell; Kanté, Kovacic; Ziyech, Mount, Pulisic; Abraham
Referee: Ali Componentesıyık (Turkey)