Chelsea almost overcame a three-goal deficit against Ajax in a wild UCL game at Stamford Bridge tonight. The final result of this unreal event was 4-4, and according to the majority of fans, this has been the most amusing game since the start of the entire international season.
Ajax was leading with 4-1 at one moment, and it seemed that Chelsea might suffer a catastrophe. But not long after that, the visitors lost two players due to red cards and a penalty was awarded to the hosts all during one attack.
Daley Blind received the second yellow card because and Joel Veltman was also sent off due to handballing in his own box. Ajax’s players were furious at the chief referee Gianluca Rocchi from Italy, who at first allowed the play to continue following Blind’s tackle, and reacted once Veltman stopped the ball with his hand.
That handballing was also highly controversial, as there are no legitimate proofs that the Dutch defender wanted to stop the ball or change its path. Erik Ten Hag, Ajax’s coach, was furious at the refs.
“It was handball, but what can he do with his hand? It’s no handball, no booking – but we have to accept it.”
Also, prior to Blind’s tackle, the experienced defender was fouled, and that is something that frustrates his teammates even more.
One of the best players in Europe and guests’ captain Dusan Tadic couldn’t keep his calm following the event.
“One man stole everything from us,” he said. After such strong words, Tadic will probably be punished severely by UEFA.
The show at Stamford started in the second minute when Tammy Abraham scored an own goal. Two minutes later, it was a penalty for the hosts, and Jorginho didn’t have any trouble to execute it. Quincy Promes delivered another goal for Ajax in the 21st minute, and Hakim Ziyech scored from a beautiful free-kick in the 35th.
At the start of the second half, it seemed that guests broke down Ajax with van der Beek scoring the fourth for the Lancers.
Yet, the Blues weren’t going to surrender, and Cesar Azpilicueta decreased the gap. After all the drama about the above-mentioned decisions of the referee, Jorginho once again netted from a penalty. Reece James equalized to 4-4 for madness at the Stamford Bridge, and with 10 minutes to play until the end, many believed that there is still time for the hosts to deliver the ultimate shocker.
For one moment, they did, when Azpillicueta scored, but his goal was canceled due to handballing.
“For a performance like today, you need characters and personalities,” Frank Lampard said. “At 3-1 down at half-time, it’s easy to turn it in. Even easier at 4-1. But we never did. I keep saying it about the experienced players. Those players really pushed tonight, and I loved it.”
Up next, Chelsea will play against Valencia away from home, and that might be the match that decides who will advance from this group. Ajax meanwhile is traveling to France to meet Lille.
