UEFA Europa League
Result: Vidi 2-2 Chelsea
Date: 13 December 2018
Venue: Groupama Aréna
Chelsea failed to end their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign on a high after playing to a 2-2 draw against Vidi in Budapest. As qualification to the knockout round was already sealed along with top spot in Group L, Chelsea gave a first start to Willy Caballerro in goal, while Andreas Christensen, Ethan Ampadu and Ruben Loftus-Cheek also got a look in. Already eliminated, Vidi showed much promise with a few half-hearted attempts in the opening minutes on goal. Vidi was presented with another slim chance following a move on the edge of the box involving Lloyd Nego who controlled well to get a shot away but Caballerro saved easily. Approaching the half and hour spell, Chelsea struggled to carve out any good chances with the hosts defending strongly. The advantage would soon turn in their favour when Willian curled a free-kick beyond the wall and into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. The Hungarians were level within a matter of minutes after an attempt to clear the ball by Ethan Ampadu from a corner flew into his own net. Vidi threatened again closer to halftime when a curling shot from inside the box by Nego forced Caballerro to stretch for a two-handed save. The Blues started off the second half slowly, finding it tough to get on the end of any dangerous offensive moves. Their first change came inside 53 minutes as Willian went off Spaniard Pedro before Nego put Vidi in front in the most ferocious fashion at the back post, as he riffled home a first-time volley. Chelsea looked for an immediate way back, however Callum Hudson-Odoi was not capable to break in after a poorly struck shot. Giroud peeled away from his marker to meet a free-kick from Cesc Fabregas at the gar post to take first-time volley, but he was unable to get in in the action. The Frenchman wasn't to be denied again when he fired home a free-kick that cannoned in off the crossbar on 74 minutes. The Londoners ended the match strong, though they couldn't find the all-important winner and settled for a share of the spoils. Qualified teams: Group G: Villarreal, Rapid Wien Group H: Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio Group I: Genk, Malmo Group J: Sevilla, Krasnodar Group K Dynamo Kiev, Rennes Group L Chelsea, BATE Borisov
