Chelsea vs Salzburg LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction from Graham Potter’s first game

Chelsea return to Champions League action on Wednesday night and it will be a game of a number of firsts - including, the west London club will hope, a first win of the group stage. That’s due to the surprise defeat at Dinamo Zagreb last time out, which led to Thomas Tuchel’s sacking. Graham Potter is in instead and this will be both his first fixture in charge of the club and also the first game of his career in this competition.

This will now be Potter’s only match with his team until October, with both last weekend and this coming weekend seeing Chelsea fixtures postponed, with an international break starting straight after.

Salzburg managed to hold AC Milan to a draw last week in Group E, with the Blues set to face the Italian champions in back-to-back European matchdays next month.

Follow all the action and build-up as Chelsea face RB Salzburg below:

Chelsea vs Salzburg

• Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, Azpilicueta, Silva, Cucurella, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang, Havertz.

• Salzburg XI: Kohn; Dedic, Pavlovic, Ulmer, Bernardo; Capaldo, Seiwald, Sucic; Kjaergaard; Sesko, Okafor

• 21’ - Applause around the ground for departed boss Thomas Tuchel

• 48’ - GOAL! Sterling curls in the first goal under Graham Potter

• 74’ -GOAL! Okafor sidefoots in the equaliser after a Thiago Silva mistake

Chelsea FC 1 - 1 FC Salzburg

FT - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:54 , Karl Matchett

Ziyech has the last chance but his attempted volley is a shinned-into-the-ground scuffer which is easy for the keeper to gather. The whistle goes soon after and it’s just one point from two Champions League games for Chelsea. Salzburg move onto two points to stay ahead of the Blues, who are bottom of the group.

Work for Potter to do, but he’ll have time for it - their weekend game is postponed and then it’s the international break.

90+3' - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:52 , Karl Matchett

Not much invention or inspiration in these closing stages. Lots of crosses from wide areas but little else from Chelsea. Gallagher nods one down and Broja wallops it - but it’s over the crossbar by a distance. Needed more composure. He shakes his head ruefully - might have earned him a starting spot as well as a victory on the night.

90 - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:50 , Karl Matchett

Into the last minute. Capaldo is booked for a foul on Cucurella. Are Potter’s team going to get one final late opportunity to seize the victory?

Four minutes added on, so they’ll have a few chances to find the right build-up.

86’ - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:47 , Karl Matchett

Broja and Sterling combine down the right flank and the former crosses low - Ziyech arrives right after coming on but his first-time shot is brilliantly blocked by Kohn.

Inside the final few minutes at Stamford Bridge and no real telling where the points will end up - both sides have had reasonable openings late on.

Chelsea sub: Pulisic on for Sterling

Salzburg sub: Okafor replaced by Sekou Koita

82’ - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:42 , Karl Matchett

James involved in a bit of a skirmish but the ref quickly breaks it up. Inside the final ten minutes now as Chelsea look for a winner. Ulmer is into the book as a result of that mini brawl with Reece James.

Chelsea subs: Gallagher for Kovacic, Ziyech for Azpilicueta

78' - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:38 , Karl Matchett

Loftus-Cheek surges into the box and is scythed down by Pavlovic - the foul occurred a footstep outside the line, though. Yellow for the defender, crossing chance for the Blues. Cucurella pulls the set piece back to James on the edge of the box and he hammers a shot a yard over the bar.

74’ GOAL! - Chelsea 1-1 Salzburg

21:35 , Karl Matchett

Okafor glances a header goalward to force Kepa into a save. He didn’t get a lot on the effort but it’s the first strike on target for the visitors since that Kepa stop from Sesko.

In the next moment of play Kovacic goes down injured after a tackle, Thiago Silva totally misses his attempted interception and a low cross is met by Okafor who this time side-foots past Kepa and in for the equaliser!

72’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:33 , Karl Matchett

A sticky period of the game as both sides fail to produce any build-up play worthy of the name. Salzburg look to their bench too in an effort to get more bodies into the final third. Around 20’ to play including stoppage time and the points aren’t secured yet. Potter’s first game has been a bit of a grind in truth.

Salzburg subs: Kameri for Sucic, Sesko replaced by Adamu.

68’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:27 , Karl Matchett

Kovacic and Jorginho combine to clip a ball into the area for Havertz but his wild swing misses the ball entirely. Graham Potter goes to his bench. That’s his lot as the German is hooked - pretty ineffective again tonight.

Chelsea subs: Aubameyang and Havertz replaced by Broja and Loftus-Cheek.

Broja immediately races in behind the defence and steers a shot wide, but he’s offside anyway.

64’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:24 , Karl Matchett

Mount gets caught out with a pass behind him into the left channel for Salzburg, but the midfielder recovers well to sprint back and cut out the attempted cross. Okafor spins Thiago Silva in the box and goes crashing to ground but the ref waves him off disdainfully.

60’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:22 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea not quite able to keep the tempo up or create more openings since that first goal. But at some stage, Salzburg will likely have to come out and try to attack them a little more, which could leave more room for counter-attacks.

Broja and Loftus-Cheek among the Chelsea subs warming up at the moment.

56’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:17 , Karl Matchett

Goals suddenly flying in elsewhere too including Jude Bellingham giving Dortmund the lead at Man City. Earlier today Milan beat Dinamo in this group, so Chelsea would be level on three points with the Croatians if this score stays the same. Milan are top with four, Salzburg have one as it stands.

52’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:14 , Karl Matchett

Plenty of vocal backing from the visiting fans despite that goal. Havertz and Aubameyang almost link up on the left side of the box as the hosts look for a quickfire second; at the other end Sesko shoots from a narrow angle but it’s well off-target.

GOAL! 48’ - Chelsea 1-0 Salzburg

21:08 , Karl Matchett

A moment of quality and the opening goal! Mount crosses from the right again, it’s missed by two defenders and Sterling takes a touch before bending it into the far corner with ease. All too open for a player of that quality. The first goal of the Graham Potter era!

46’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

21:05 , Karl Matchett

Second half underway at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

21:04 , Karl Matchett

Don’t worry he’s only teasing. Probably. Right? Still accurate either way...

Gourna-Douath on for Kjaergaard at the break for Salzburg.

Champions League latest scores

20:55 , Karl Matchett

Rangers 0-0 Napoli

Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

Real Madrid 0-0 Leipzig

Man City 0-0 Borussia Dortmund

Copenhagen 0-0 Sevilla

Juventus 1-1 Benfica

Maccabi Haifa 1-1 PSG

HT’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:50 , Karl Matchett

A big handball shout from Kovacic as he ran late into the box and headed at goal. It does indeed strike a hand but the defender has it by his side.

There’s the whistle and that’s the break. Just as in a lot of other games around Europe so far tonight, we’re goalless at the break.

Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

45’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:47 , Karl Matchett

Three minutes added on. Presumably all for the referee wasting time running on and off the pitch, as we’ve only had one other minor stoppage.

44’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:46 , Karl Matchett

Sesko curls in Salzburg’s first shot of the game and it’s very nearly a goal. A curled low effort with his left foot sends Kepa scrambling and he makes a fine save to tip it around the post.

At the other end Mount and Havertz almost combine to good effect but again the final touch is missing.

Sterling then clips a dangerous cross into the centre but nobody attacks it at all. A few final-third issues to try and sort at the break for the new boss.

40’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:42 , Karl Matchett

All back up and running, presumably. Bit of an annoyance but we go again.

Chelsea almost find a route to goal twice in a minute - first Sterling sees a volley blocked on the edge of the six-yard box, then Cucurella’s low cross is deflected to Mount on the edge of the box and he whips a half-volley goalwards...only for the spin on the ball to fizz it just past the post. Should have scored.

36’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:38 , Karl Matchett

Graham Potter has a quick word with Jorginho to try and fix a midfield issue or two while the referee wanders over to the sidelines. He seems to have a communication problem, being unable to hear the fourth official or something along those lines.

Now he’s having a word with the two captains on the pitch...what’s going on here?

32’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:34 , Karl Matchett

Kovacic and Mount both do well to win back possession on different sides of the pitch. Fine work rate to cover for teammates from both. Cucurella fouls Sesko who is holding up play well but so far unable to have any meaningful impact nearer goal. No shots on target so far tonight. No shots at all for Salzburg, mind.

28’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:32 , Karl Matchett

Lovely turn down the right side by James to escape his marker, but then with Aubameyang and Sterling racing into the box the right wing-back overhits the cross beyond the pair and it’s out for a throw-in.

Not much cohesion between those front players so far tonight but lots of industry.

24’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:26 , Karl Matchett

Applause for Tuchel around Stamford Bridge in the 21st minute - 2021 being the year of his Champions League success.

Sterling almost interrupts the crowd’s appreciation by teeing up Kovacic for a shot, in the end he crosses and James also opts against shooting. Then it’s Aubameyang’s turn to be frustrated, this time by a defensive block. The hosts pushing but without finding the opening they want so far.

20' - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:22 , Karl Matchett

James beats his man down the right and stands up a clipped cross; it reaches Sterling but after checking onto his left foot his effort is blocked behind. Not much counter-attacking threat from the visitors since the early couple of minutes. Azpilicueta takes a whack in the face and goes down.

16’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:18 , Karl Matchett

Fairly low-key start to the game in terms of final-third action. Lots of possession for the home team but no cutting edge just yet. Aubameyang hasn’t had too much service in the area.

12’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:14 , Karl Matchett

Havertz nods at goal and it’s on target but hits a Salzburg head unwittingly. A quick note - Salzburg made a change to their intended line-up so Sesko is in the attack.

8’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:09 , Karl Matchett

Jorginho is very fortunate to get a free-kick on the edge of his own box after losing the ball. Didn’t look much in the contact at all. Sterling then waltzes through a challenge or two and Mount gets the shot away, but it’s blocked at close quarters. An open start at the Bridge.

4’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:06 , Karl Matchett

Half a chance for Aubameyang as he hooks the ball over the crossbar. Nice work from Havertz in the build-up. It’s Sterling who has started on the left side more or less, but there’s certainly flexibility in Chelsea’s shape early on.

1’ - Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:02 , Karl Matchett

Kick-off! Applause and preparations over and we’re now underway.

Chelsea 0-0 Salzburg

20:00 , Karl Matchett

All set to go at Stamford Bridge with the players ready for the moment’s silence pre-game.

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:48 , Karl Matchett

Somewhat underlines what a disappointing defeat it was for the Blues last time out.

Tonight is their chance to put that right, albeit under a new boss in the dugout. Almost time for Potter’s Chelsea reign to really begin.

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:42 , Karl Matchett

Ahead of kick-off, an update from the group: AC Milan beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 at the San Siro in the early kick-off, which leaves the group looking like this before Chelsea start:

1. Milan 4pts

2. Dinamo 3pts

3. Salzburg 1pt

4. Chelsea 0pts

Victory tonight will get the Blues back on track with plenty of time to spare, of course.

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:36 , Karl Matchett

Graham Potter is playing it close to the chest in terms of whether it’s a three or a four in defence - some suggestion in social media circles that Cucurella will be left of a back three and Mason Mount at wing-back. The boss isn’t telling us so we’ll find out in half an hour or so!

“Good experience and knowhow. I won’t give too much away you can keep guessing! Could be four at the back!,” he said.

“We’ve been working for a few days and we want to use the strengths of the players.

“They attack and defend with a real unity and they are a strong team.”

Why is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wearing a mask for Chelsea in Champions League?

19:30 , Sport staff

Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to wear a mask to train and play since his deadline day transfer from Barcelona.

Graham Potter has since replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager since the Gabonese striker joined and is likely to remain a key part to the Blues’ attack as they bid to kick-start their season.

A debut in Zagreb for Aubameyang saw the 33-year-old wear his mask as the Croatian side shocked the Londoners 1-0 to spell the end of Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

Aubameyang continues to wear a mask as he recovers from a broken jaw, although there were moments during an open training session at Cobham on Tuesday where he was able to train without the personalised protective item. This suggests it may not be long before he is able to train and play without the mask.

More details:

Why is Aubameyang wearing a mask for Chelsea?

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:23 , Karl Matchett

Worth a quick look at Chelsea’s domestic form this season...by which we effectively mean the Chelsea form which got Tuchel the sack.

Won 1-0 vs Everton

Drew 2-2 vs Spurs

Lost 3-0 vs Leeds

Won 2-1 vs Leicester

Lost 2-1 vs Southampton

Won 2-1 vs West Ham

Champions League Group E

19:17 , Karl Matchett

A quick reminder of the state of play so far in Chelsea’s group:

GW1: Dinamo 1-0 Chelsea; Salzburg 1-1 Milan

GW2: Chelsea vs Salzburg; Milan currently hosting Dinamo

1. Dinamo 3pts

2. Milan 1pt

3. Salzburg 1pt

4. Chelsea 0pts

Graham Potter embracing ‘very different challenge’ as Chelsea manager

19:10 , Karl Matchett

New Chelsea manager Graham Potter says he will approach a “very different challenge” in the same way as he has throughout a coaching career spent largely out of the spotlight.

The 47-year-old Englishman has taken on by far his biggest coaching job, having cut his teeth with Swedish club Ostersunds for seven years before a short spell at Swansea and then a highly impressive one with Brighton.

Potter’s methods at Brighton have enhanced his reputation but the expectation levels at Chelsea will be a new experience for a man tipped as a future England manager.

“You have to look at the football club here, the tradition, the quality, to compete in the Premier League and Champions League, it’s a completely different challenge to the one I had,” said Potter, who will take charge for the first time as Chelsea host Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday.

“I am very, very excited as you can imagine and looking forward to getting going.”

Graham Potter embracing ‘very different challenge’ as Chelsea manager

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:05 , Karl Matchett

Graham Potter in his Chelsea programme notes has a quick message for the home crowd.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting to know the fans and I want to thank you for the support you’ve shown me in the responses to my appointment.”

They’ll show a good bit more welcoming tonight if you pick up the points, Mr. P.

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

19:00 , Karl Matchett

No reason for suspicion here of course - Freund works for RB Salzburg so would naturally be in place. But he is one of the names being spoken about as Chelsea search for people to lead their recruitment drive in future, after a haphazard first summer transfer window for Todd Boehly.

Chelsea vs Salzburg confirmed lineups

18:52 , Karl Matchett

And Graham Potter’s first XI is here too: It’s a 4-3-3, Kepa lining up in goal, Azpilicueta seemingly centre-back with Thiago Silva and Aubameyang starting up front. Could be a 4-2-3-1 if Mount is a No10 instead of alongside Kovacic.

Chelsea XI: Kepa, James, Azpilicueta, Silva, Cucurella, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang, Havertz.

Chelsea vs Salzburg confirmed lineups

18:50 , Karl Matchett

Team news is in for Chelsea’s opponents! Benjamin Sesko is left on the bench by the visitors. Sucic gets the nod in midfield with Kjaergaard likely at the tip of a diamond.

Salzburg XI: Kohn; Dedic, Pavlovic, Ulmer, Bernardo; Capaldo, Seiwald, Sucic; Kjaergaard; Fernando, Okafor

Chelsea vs Salzburg latest news

18:45 , Karl Matchett

Graham Potter’s first Chelsea line-up is to be announced very soon. Who gets the nod?!

Todd Boehly outlines vision for Chelsea to be part of ‘multi-club ownership model’

18:40 , Karl Matchett

Todd Boehly has revealed his vision for Chelsea includes the team being part of a “multi-club model” similar to RB Leipzig and Manchester City.

Speaking at a conference in New York, the Chelsea owner and chairman also explained that Thomas Tuchel was sacked because the German did not share his own plans for the club.

Boehly said he had been impressed with the multi-club models operated by Red Bull and Manchester City and revealed his investment could branch out to include other teams across Europe.

“We’ve talked about a multi-club model, and I would love to build out the footprint,” Boehley said at the SALT conference.

“I think there are different countries where there are advantages to having a club. Red Bull does a really good job, they’ve got Leipzig and they have Salzburg, both of which are playing in the Champions League. They’ve figured out how to make that work.”

Todd Boehly outlines vision for Chelsea to be part of ‘multi-club ownership model’

Graham Potter reveals what convinced him to leave Brighton for Chelsea

18:35 , Karl Matchett

New Chelsea boss Graham Potter insisted the club’s vision convinced him to join.

The 47-year-old replaced Thomas Tuchel last week after leaving Brighton.

He signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge and admitted the new owners, led by chairman Todd Boehly, showed him it was the right move.

“It’s the start of a really exciting period, I think,” he told the club’s official site. “New ownership, who I was really, really excited with and impressed by, firstly as people and then their vision for the club and what they wanted to do.

“Of course, the history of the club speaks for itself, but it’s about trying to create that again in our own way.”

Graham Potter reveals what convinced him to leave Brighton for Chelsea

Salzburg boss Matthias Jaissle hoped to face friend Thomas Tuchel in Chelsea dugout

18:28 , Karl Matchett

Matthias Jaissle has lamented missing the chance to take on his friend Thomas Tuchel when RB Salzburg face Chelsea.

Salzburg boss Jaissle had been excited to pit his wits against Tuchel, but insists Wednesday’s Stamford Bridge visitors will still be prepared to go up against Graham Potter.

Potter will take the Chelsea helm for the first time in their Champions League clash in west London, but Jaissle insisted Salzburg had done their due diligence on the former Brighton boss.

“After the draw I was thinking that we would meet Thomas Tuchel,” said Jaissle.

“And tomorrow we would play against him. It’s a bit of a pity – I know him personally.”

Salzburg boss Jaissle hoped to face friend Tuchel in Chelsea dugout

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly pitches Premier League All-Star game

18:21 , Karl Matchett

Todd Boehly wants to launch a Premier League North versus South All-Star match.

The new Chelsea chairman has revealed plans to revolutionise elements of English football, to try to boost broadcasting revenue.

The Blues’ new co-controlling owner, who also owns shares of Los Angeles teams the Dodgers in Major League Baseball and the Lakers in the NBA, told a New York conference he has already floated the idea with Premier League counterparts.

“Ultimately I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports,” said Boehly. “And really starts to figure out, why don’t we do a tournament with the bottom four sports teams, why isn’t there an All-Star game?

“People are talking about more money for the pyramid, in the MLB All-Star game this year we made 200 million dollars from a Monday and a Tuesday.

“So we’re thinking we could do a North versus South All-Star game for the Premier League, for whatever the pyramid needed quite easily.”

More from the new co-owner:

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly pitches Premier League All-Star game

How to watch Chelsea vs Salzburg in the Champions League online and on TV tonight

18:14 , Jack Rathborn

Chelsea host RB Salzburg in the first match of the Graham Potter era in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

The former Brighton manager replaces Thomas Tuchel and will be desperate to inspire a response after defeat in Zagreb last time out.

The Blues find themselves bottom of Group E with the Austrian side on one point after drawing with AC Milan.

It will also be Potter’s only match until 1 October after the Liverpool match this weekend was postponed due to events surrounding Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.

How to watch Chelsea vs Salzburg online and on TV tonight

Salzburg guru Christoph Freund in contention for Chelsea sporting director role

18:07 , Karl Matchett

Chelsea are in talks with Red Bull Salzburg’s Christoph Freund over becoming the Blues’ new sporting director, the PA news agency understands.

New Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are pushing to fill the sporting director role before the Qatar World Cup kicks off in November.

And Salzburg director Freund is now understood to be among the top candidates.

Chelsea are also thought to have been in talks with Portuguese executive Luis Campos, who works as an advisor to Paris St Germain.

The Blues could yet look to add two new faces to their off-field technical set-up, it is understood, which could open the door for both Freund and Campos at Stamford Bridge.

RB Salzburg guru Christoph Freund in contention for Chelsea sporting director role

Graham Potter admits never attending Champions League match ahead of Chelsea bow

14:31 , Karl Matchett

Graham Potter has revealed he has never even attended a Champions League match ahead of taking charge of Chelsea for the first time.

The former Brighton boss will be on the touchline for the Blues in the competition on Wednesday night, when they face RB Salzberg at Stamford Bridge.

“I think that wherever we start, it’s a heck of an introduction,” Potter said, after explaining he has never been to a Champions League football game, even to scout a player.

Graham Potter admits never attending Champions League match ahead of Chelsea bow