Hamburg (SID) – Next setback for Chelsea FC and its German team manager: Coach Thomas Tuchel’s team started the new Champions League season with a defeat. At the debut of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the premier class champion of 2021 lost 0-1 (0-1) at Dinamo Zagreb and conceded the third competitive defeat of the still young season.
Mislav Orsic (13th) scored for the Croatian champions, who celebrated their comeback in the Champions League following a two-year absence. Chelsea, with Germany international Kai Havertz in the starting line-up, pushed for the equalizer with eight minutes of stoppage time in the final phase, but Reece James (85′) didn’t get more than a hit into the post.
Other opponents for the Londoners, who were eliminated by eventual winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals last season, are AC Milan and RB Salzburg in preliminary round group E. The Blues, who have lost two of their previous six Premier League games, have spent around €280m (£240m) on new players this summer with the support of the new owner.
