Chelsea substitutes: Willy Caballero, Antonio Rudiger, Kenedy, Willian, Pedro, Michy Batshuayi, Kyle Scott.
Chelsea starting XI (3-5-2): Thibaut Courtois; Gary Cahill, Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta; Marcos Alonso, Tiemoue Bakayoko, David Luiz, Cesc Fabregas, Davide Zappacosta; Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata. With fifteen minutes before kick-off, the team news has been announced. Let's start with the home team. Roma have only won two of their last ten Champions League games, with the only away victory coming in match day two against Qarabag 2-1, whereas Chelsea have won six of their last ten home fixtures in European competition, with losses coming against respectable opponents in Atletico Madrid and PSG. It is sure to be a showing of organization and resoluteness, as Roma are the lowest conceding side in Italy (joint with Napoli and Inter), and Chelsea themselves can boast a top 5 defensive record in England. In odd symmetry, Roma also currently sit in fifth place in their domestic league, also having lost at the weekend. Their 1-0 defeat to Napoli on Saturday put a dent in their Scudetto aspirations, and Eusebio Di Francesco will be hoping to exercise those demons with a victory in London. A win and a draw is good enough for second place in Group C, but with only two goals in two games, Roma’s defence will be the key to victory in this battle of the Italian tacticians. Chelsea enter match day three on the back of a poor result against the Premier League’s bottom club – Crystal Palace. A host of injury concerns and fixture congestion has left Antonio Conte furious with his squad. Currently fifth place in their domestic competition, the title holders are experiencing more fortune in Europe’s top club competition. Chelsea are the pace-setters early on, with six points after two games – including a last gasp victory over Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. They are averaging four goals per game, but with Diego Costa’s departure, Alvaro Morata’s questionable fitness and a lack of trust in Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea will have to their work cut out for them against the Giallorossi. Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of the Champions League clash between Chelsea and Roma from Stamford Bridge!
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