Chelsea and Zenit will face each other on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 for Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 group stage. Both teams will try to start their European journey with a win, especially Chelsea as the hosts and defending champions.
Thomas Tuchel’s side has an interesting season ahead, after winning the Champions League last season. Now, they will want to succeed not only in Europe, a tough task, but also in the Premier League. With big signings like Romelu Lukaku, the Blues are ready for the challenge.
On the other side, Zenit, the Russian champions, have a tough first game in the European tournament. However, Sergei Semak’s team is ready to prove that they are up to the challenge. So far, they are unbeaten in their domestic league and want to keep it that way in the Champions League.
Chelsea’s probable lineup
Thomas Tuchel has developed a very successful style of play. Under the German coach, the team usually plays with a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-1-2 system, which has worked very well so far. Also, with the new signings of Romelu Lukaku and Saul, the London team has one of the most talented squads right now.
Here, this could be Chelsea’s lineup against Zenit: Edouard Mendy; Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger; Reece James, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso; Mason Mount, Kai Harvertz; Romelu Lukaku.
Zenit’s probable lineup
While with less known names than Chelsea, Zenit also have some talent in their squad. Coach Sergei Semak has Sardar Azmoun, last season’s top scorer of the Russian Premier League, as one of its biggest attacking threats. Also, they just signed Claudinho, Olympic champion with Brazil in Tokyo.
Here, this could be Zenit’s lineup against Chelsea in the Champions League opener: Kritsyuk; Sutormin, Lovren, Rakitskiy, Santos; Erokhin, Kuzyaev, Claudinho, Malcom; Dzyuba, Sardar Azmoun.
