Chelsea vs RB Salzburg - LIVE!

Graham Potter’s Chelsea debut ended in a 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg as the Blues remained at the foot of Champions League Group E. Raheem Sterling’s curled strike should have handed new boss Potter lift-off at Stamford Bridge on his Champions League and Blues bow.

But a mistake from Thiago Silva opened the door for Noah Okafor to snatch a draw for Salzburg with a neat finish to cap a counter-attack. Chelsea were back in action after the Premier League’s weekend hiatus due to the Queen’s death, but the Blues could not atone for last week’s 1-0 Champions League loss at Dinamo Zagreb.

One point from two matches leaves Potter’s men bottom of Group E, with AC Milan top on four points. The Blues can still rectify their situation and reach the knockout stages, but will likely need to beat Milan home and away in their back-to-back matches with the Italians in October.

Chelsea vs RB Salzburg latest news

• GOAL! Okafor strikes Salzburg level

• GOAL! Sterling with lovely curling finish

• How to watch: BT Sport

• Chelsea team news: Aubameyang starts, Fofana and Koulibaly on bench

• RB Salzburg team news: In-form Okafor leads line

Chelsea FC 1 - 1 FC Salzburg

Analysis from Stamford Bridge

22:48 , Matt Verri

It’s early days but Graham Potter is facing the exact same frustrations that Thomas Tuchel had at Chelsea after watching his side squander a lead to draw 1-1 at home to RB Salzburg.

Raheem Sterling’s brilliant 48th minute strike gave Chelsea the lead but Noah Okafor levelled the scores in the 75th minute after hapless defending.

It was Mateo Kovacic, Sterling himself, Thiago Silva and ultimately Cesar Azpilicueta who were beaten in a series of duels which allowed the Swiss forward to equalise.

This is from a team that Tuchel had branded ‘soft’ in recent weeks and Potter is now faced with adding that needed toughness to get this team through Group E in increasingly difficult circumstances.

Read Nizaar Kinsella’s full piece here

Player ratings

22:15 , Matt Verri

Mason Mount - 8

The midfielder put a shift in often deeper than he had been under Thomas Tuchel. He came closest with a shot in the 40th minute.

Mount’s assist for Sterling’s goal was his first goal involvement of the season which will come as a relief ahead of the England selection tomorrow.

He made several great recovery runs. Mount is back.

Read them in full here!

Work to be done...

22:00 , Matt Verri

FT: Chelsea 1-1 RB Salzburg

21:55 , Matt Verri

Chelsea push for a winner but it doesn’t come.

Plenty of positives for Graham Potter in his first match in charge, but they’re frustrated as it finishes level.

Just one point from their first two Champions League matches - they stay bottom of Group E.

21:53 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Broja almost wins it!

Ziyech just swinging crosses in now at every opportunity. It drops for Broja, takes a massive swing at the ball and it flies over the bar.

Really good chance, would be surprise if Chelsea got a better one.

21:51 , Matt Verri

90+1 mins: Four minutes added on at Stamford Bridge.

Ziyech gets to the byline, can’t get the cross in but wins a corner for his side instead. He takes it, doesn’t clear the first man. Home fans not delighted, shall we say...

21:50 , Matt Verri

89 mins: Referee brandishing the yellow card all over the shop now, Salzburg doing their best to slow things down.

Cucurella moaning on the halfway line after being fouled, demanding a yellow card. Looks up to see it’s already been given.

21:46 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Pulisic on for Sterling, for the final five minutes or so. James has dropped into the back three, with Ziyech on the right.

Ziyech tries to take on two defenders, stumbles into the first and loses the ball.

21:44 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Broja with a great low cross towards the near post, Ziyech flying in but he’s denied from close range.

Goalkeeper didn’t know much about it, his foot kept it out.

21:42 , Matt Verri

81 mins: More changes for Chelsea, Gallagher on to replace Kovacic. And Azpilicueta is off, Ziyech on in his place.

Not exactly a straight swap - Potter being increasingly brave here.

21:40 , Matt Verri

79 mins: Played back to the edge of the box where James is free, fires the effort just over the bar.

Really good response this from Chelsea, pinning Salzburg back. Gourna-Douath and James clash - both earn themselves a yellow card.

21:38 , Matt Verri

77 mins: That’s really, really close to being a penalty.

Loftus-Cheek gets in behind, beats Pavlovic to the ball and gets taken out. It’s right on the edge of the box, inches away from being a spot-kick.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 RB Salzburg | Noah Okafor 75'

21:36 , Matt Verri

Now they are level!

It’s a superb counter. Silva slides in, trying to intercept but for one he doesn’t take the ball.

Low cross into the near post, Okafor makes the run and beats Kepa with the help of a deflection.

21:34 , Matt Verri

73 mins: And Salzburg are very nearly level!

Great cross whipped into the Chelsea box, so much pace on it. Okafor has been allowed a lot of space, he flicks a header straight at Kepa. Big chance.

21:32 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Match feels really comfortable for Chelsea but it’s still in the balance.

Silva has read everything at the back, hasn’t allowed Salzburg to get any joy in forward areas. Still plenty of time though.

21:27 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Broja should score seconds after coming on!

Never mind, the offside flag goes up. He was in on goal after the ball was slid through, curled it wide under pressure.

Linesman’s flag is then raised though.

21:26 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Patient build-up on the right from Chelsea, until they play it inside.

Jorginho clips a lovely pass over the top, Havertz is in but his attempt at a volley is more a swing at thin air.

Two changes from the Blues after that. Havertz and Aubameyang off, Broja and Loftus-Cheek on.

21:24 , Matt Verri

63 mins: Nearly brilliant from Salzburg.

Mount gets caught with a pass in behind, the visitors are away. Sesko pulls off to the penalty box, cut back is towards him but Silva reads it and slides in.

How Chelsea took the lead...

21:22 , Matt Verri

21:20 , Matt Verri

60 mins: Bit of a lull in the match, Salzburg enjoying a bit more success on the ball.

Plenty of options on the bench for Potter - how long until he turns to his substitutes?

21:18 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Salzburg are pressing higher up the pitch now, Jorginho has to scramble to play the ball up the pitch.

It goes without saying but while it’s only 1-0, visitors are still right in this.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

21:15 , Matt Verri

Graham Potter’s reactions on the touchline have been in stark contrast to Thomas Tuchel.

By transmitting an almost neutral persona regardless of what’s going on during the match, he is showing a quiet confidence in his approach.

He believes that in the long term his coaching methods will bring the best out of any team and that he doesn’t have to pile the pressure on to win matches through refereeing decisions.

21:14 , Matt Verri

54 mins: Chelsea knocking the ball around confidently now, very much in charge.

Havertz turns and fizzes a pass towards Mount, he can’t quite control it on the edge of the box.

21:11 , Matt Verri

50 mins: James with a very optimistic effort from 25 yards out, blasted over the bar.

Salzburg will have to come out a bit more now, take a few more risks. That’ll certainly suit the Blues.

GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 RB Salzburg | Raheem Sterling 48'

21:09 , Matt Verri

He deserves that!

First goal of the Potter era and it goes to Sterling. James turns really nicely in the Chelsea half before playing Mount away down the right.

He fires a low cross into the box, Salzburg make a mess of clearing it and it falls for Sterling at the back post. Lovely finish into the far corner.

Back underway

21:05 , Matt Verri

Up and running again at Stamford Bridge - let’s hope for some goals this time.

20:59 , Matt Verri

Ten shots for Chelsea, vast majority of possession, only one shot for Salzburg...

Pretty much all the stats are in Chelsea’s favour, but they have nothing to show for it yet. Not enough of a clinicial edge in the Salzburg box.

Plenty of love for Tuchel...

20:54 , Matt Verri

HT: Chelsea 0-0 RB Salzburg

20:50 , Matt Verri

That’s half-time at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea much the better side, but they’ve got nothing to show for it. Lots of dangerous moments for the hosts, but not a huge amount in the way of clear-cut chances.

20:48 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Three minuts added on, could easily have been more.

Salzburg have pretty much dropped to the edge of their own box, just trying to see this through to half-time.

20:47 , Matt Verri

44 mins: Sterling has the beating of Dedic every time he runs at him.

Again he just skips past the full-back, lifts a lovely cross into the box but nobody had made the run. Poor from the Chelsea attackers.

20:43 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Really smart save from Kepa, as Sesko tries his luck from the edge of the box.

Salzburg corner taken short, eventually it’s swung in and Silva is there to get a strong header away to safety.

20:42 , Matt Verri

39 mins: Brilliant block!

Mount slides it wide to James, his deep cross falls to Sterling and his volley is somehow blocked.

Chelsea stay on the attack, Mount slices an effort at goal and it’s not far away at all from the top corner.

20:39 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Whatever it was it took an absolute age to fix, but we’re up and running again.

Still at least ten minutes left in the half after that length stoppage.

20:37 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Something wrong with the referee’s equipment, which has resulted in a break in play.

He’s over on the touchline with headphones on now - no idea what’s going on. Whatever it is, it’s allowed both managers to call the players over for some instructions.

Different role for Mount

20:36 , Matt Verri

20:34 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Not much structure to the game all of a sudden, both sides with space as it becomes end-to-end.

Sesko turns away from Cucurella, gets dragged down and that will allow the teams to reset.

20:31 , Matt Verri

29 mins: James with a brilliant spin on the halfway line and he’s away down the right.

Fires a low cross into the box, Aubameyang and Sterling both try to make up the ground at the back post but they can’t get there.

20:29 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Rare Salzburg attack, they go for the long throw. Nothing long about it, James comfortably heads it away.

Sesko and Okafor have had nothing to work with for the visitors, Salzburg haven’t been able to get anything going.

20:26 , Matt Verri

24 mins: Ball played into the box, Aubameyang on his left foot hammers an effort at goal but it’s really well blocked by Pavlovic. He threw himself in front of it.

For all of Chelsea’s possession, they’ve not nothing to show for it yet.

20:24 , Matt Verri

22 mins: Applause from the Chelsea fans for Thomas Tuchel in the 21st minute, marking the year he won the Champions League at the club. Still a very popular man in west London.

Chelsea almost mark it with a goal, but James takes far too long to get a shot away.

20:21 , Matt Verri

19 mins: As close as Chelsea have come to opening the scoring.

James with a lovely cross stood up to the back post, Aubameyang can’t quite get on the end of it. Falls for Sterling, opts not to shoot straight away and wins a corner instead.

James takes it, comes to nothing.

20:19 , Matt Verri

17 mins: Sesko shrugs Jorginho and Cucurella off in one motion, far too strong for them.

Silva has made a great start to the match, reading everything so well as ever. He’s quickly across to see out a ball for a Chelsea goal-kick.

20:16 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Match has slowed down a bit, after what was a frantic start from the Blues.

Salzburg did well to get through it and they’re seeing a bit more of the ball now as they establish themselves.

20:13 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Lovely reverse pass from Sterling, Cucurella fizzes the ball across the face of goal and it’s just about cleared away.

Sterling then wins a cheap free-kick for his side in a great position. Azpilicueta and Cucurella getting so far forward for the hosts.

It’s Cucurella to take the set-piece, Havertz’s header is deflected away.

20:11 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Sterling heavily involved already, he’s seeing plenty of the ball out on the left. Chelsea dominating possession in the early stages.

They lost it there though, Salzburg go long on the counter and Kepa charges 40 yards off his line to head it away.

20:08 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Wow, Chelsea are really lucky there.

Kepa fizzes the ball into Jorginho on the edge of his own box, he’s immediately closed down. Topples to the ground hopefully and he gets the decision.

Just as well, otherwise Salzburg were clean through.

20:06 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Really bright start from Chelsea, they’ve started quickly.

Mount again involved, falls for Havertz and his scuffed shot from inside the box is blocked. Bobbles up fro Aubameyang, he hooks it over the bar. Encouraging signs though.

20:04 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Azpilicueta plays the ball down the line on the right and Mount is away.

Cuts inside onto his left foot, can’t find the space to get the shot away though and Salzburg clear. It is a back three in possession, with Sterling pushing wide at left wing-back.

KICK-OFF

20:02 , Matt Verri

Up and running at Stamford Bridge.

20:01 , Matt Verri

Minute’s silence has been observed, ‘RIP Your Majesty’ has been hung up by the home fans. Salzburg fans have also brought one of their own.

Tributes paid to the Queen

19:58 , Matt Verri

Gareth Southgate and Patrick Vieira are among those in the stands watching on.

Home fans singing the national anthem as the players walk out. Two Chelsea Pensioners are on the pitch too, as part of the tributes to the Queen ahead of kick-off.

Not long now

19:55 , Matt Verri

Players will shortly be out onto the pitch.

The Champions League anthem will not be played ahead of kick-off, out of respect for the Queen.

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

19:47 , Matt Verri

It will be interesting to see whether this is a back four or back three for Graham Potter’s first match as Chelsea head coach.

It looks like Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva are in a back four but that could be a slow central defensive duo against this young and physical RB Salzburg side.

If it is a back three, who is the wing back? Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic or Raheem Sterling - surely not!

Potter giving nothing away...

19:45 , Matt Verri

“It’s good experience. I won’t give too much away, you can keep guessing. It could be [a back four].

“We’ve been working for a few days, hopefully look to use the qualities of the players. The response of the boys has been fantastic.

“We’re looking forward to it, there’s a feeling to respond. We have to play well and match their intensity.”

19:39 , Matt Verri

Less than a week into the job and Graham Potter has already lifted the mood at Chelsea.

Potter has been tasked with bringing the club together and, as he prepares for his first match in charge against RB Salzburg tonight, there is a different feeling around Stamford Bridge.

Since taking over last week, Potter, along with his backroom team Billy Reid, Bjorn Hamberg, Bruno and Ben Roberts, has adopted a personal approach to improve the atmosphere in a squad that was lacking confidence and showing cracks under Thomas Tuchel.

Sections of the dressing room had grown frustrated by what they felt was an increasingly distant Tuchel, who would also often criticise his players publicly in interviews.

Read Nizaar Kinsella’s full match preview

Visitors ready for action...

19:32 , Matt Verri

More from the Boehly factory of bright ideas...

19:25 , Matt Verri

Boehly had revealed his admiration for club networks pioneered at Manchester City and RB Leipzig and Salzburg. As he is ready to scrap Chelsea’s extensive use of loanees, he said the club could begin to buy up clubs across Europe and the world to emulate City Football Group and Red Bull.

He said: “We’ve talked about having a multi-club model. I think there’s different countries where there’s advantages to having a club. Red Bull have Salzburg and Leipzig in the Champions League. I want to continue building out the footprint. I think there’s different countries where there’s advantages to having a club.

“We know people and human capital. We understand game plans and strategies. We’re not expecting to be the football experts to find the best talent, we are going to put those people in place.

“The challenge that Chelsea has, when you have 18, 19, 20-year-old superstars, you can loan them out to clubs, but you put their development in someone else’s hands.”

Read more on that

Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge

19:18 , Matt Verri

Boehly pushes ‘North vs South’ game...

19:11 , Matt Verri

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly says he wants a Premier League All-Star ‘North versus South’ match in England to help raise funds for the football pyramid.

He said: “People are talking about why don’t we have more money for the pyramid? MLB did their all-star game this year.

“They made $200million from a Monday and a Tuesday, you could do a North versus South all-star game from the Premier League to fund the pyramid very easily.

“Everyone likes the idea of more revenue for the league but there’s a real cultural aspect. I think evolution will come.”

Safe to say Jurgen Klopp isn’t a fan - he’s asked whether Boehly also wants the Harlem Globetrotters to be involved.

Potter wants ‘humble’ Chelsea side

19:03 , Matt Verri

Chelsea’s new manager Graham Potter has identified his two non-negotiables as manager.

The 47-year-old joined the club on Thursday last week and has had time to prepare his players after seeing the weekend’s Premier League matches postponed following events surrounding the Queen’s passing.

Ahead of his first game in charge, he detailed what he wants from his team and what they can expect from him.

“In terms of what I can promise, we’re playing a game which is uncontrollable and so I promise I’ll do my best every single day,” Potter said at Stamford Bridge. “It’s a big responsibility. The team I want to see is one that’s balanced in terms of attack and defence.

“Humble team, a respectful team that when it doesn’t have the ball, it runs hard and fights because I think that’s important also.”

Read more on that here

Back four for Chelsea?

18:56 , Matt Verri

Interesting line-up from Potter - looks to be a back four for the hosts with Azpilicueta alongside Thiago Silva. Koulibaly and Fofana both on the bench.

Jorginho, Mount and Kovacic all start in midfield, while Aubameyang makes his home debut for Chelsea.

RB Salzburg team news

18:52 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Kohn, Dedic, Bernardo, Pavlovic, Ulmer, Capaldo, Seiwald, Kjaergaard, Sucic, Fernando, Okafor.

Subs: Mantl, van der Brempt, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Kameri, Adamu, Koita, Simic, Diarra, Gourna-Douath, Sesko, Walke.

Chelsea team news

18:48 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Kepa; James, Azpilicueta Thiago Silva, Cucurella; Kovacic, Jorginho, Mount; Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling

Subs: Bettinelli; Chalobah, Chilwell, Fofana, Koulibaly, Zakaria, Gallagher, Chukwuemeka, Loftus-Cheek, Pulisic, Broja, Ziyech

Potter’s message to fans

18:45 , Matt Verri

First match in charge and first programme notes for Potter tonight.

He’s been warmly received as Chelsea manager, a popular appointment on the whole, and he’s certainly noticed that.

“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,” Potter said.

Chelsea eye Salzburg executive

18:38 , Matt Verri

Chelsea are in talks with both RB Salzburg executive Christoph Freund and Paris Saint-Germain advisor Luis Campos, as they bid to fill their vacant sporting director role.

Discussions with Freund, who is credited with discovering Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, come ahead of tonight’s match against the Austrian champions.

There have also been recent talks with Campos, who is able to immediately accept any role at Chelsea due to the casual nature of his job with PSG.

It is understood Chelsea could even look to secure both Freund and Campos together, as they look to transform how the club operates behind the scenes.

Click here for the full story on that

Visitors enjoying themselves on Twitter...

18:31 , Matt Verri

Selection issues for Potter

18:24 , Matt Verri

Does Aubameyang continue?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a rough debut in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb.

He had just one full training session and 59 minutes under former manager Thomas Tuchel after joining on deadline day. The 33-year-old has been reassured of his future after Tuchel’s sacking but being picked to lead the line would be a big vote of confidence.

Read more on the other decisions facing Potter here

Stage is set

18:17 , Matt Verri

Potter: This is my first ever Champions League match

18:06 , Matt Verri

Graham Potter revealed tonight will be the first ever Champions League game he has attended - both as a fan and in a professional capacity.

The 47-year-old leads his team out for the first time at Stamford Bridge, having last week joined from Brighton to replace the sacked Thomas Tuchel.

“Off the top of my head, no, I don’t think I have [ever been to a Champions League match],” Potter said at Stamford Bridge. “It is a good time to go in the dugout, why not! I think wherever we would start, it is a heck of an introduction with respect to everything that has happened at this football club.”

Read the full story

Prediction

17:57 , Matt Verri

That postponement to Chelsea’s match against Fulham means Potter’s first match in charge of the club comes on home soil and he will keen to make an immediate impression.

Goals have been a problem for the Blues, their front-line not clicking into gear and that is one of the big challenges facing the new boss.

Salzburg carry a real attacking threat themselves and will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet, but Chelsea should have enough to come out on top and get their European campaign back on track.

Chelsea to win, 2-1.

Early team news

17:46 , Matt Verri

Graham Potter has an almost fully-fit squad to pick from for his Chelsea bow tonight.

N’Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy are out of the Champions League clash, leaving 24 players to choose from for the Blues’ new manager.

The Blues are likely to follow former manager Thomas Tuchel’s approach and use a 3-4-3 system, giving Potter time to stamp his authority on the team over time.

Predicted Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Kepa; Fofana, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly; James, Kovacic, Jorginho, Cucurella; Havertz, Aubameyang, Sterling

How to watch Chelsea vs RB Salzburg

17:37 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The match will be televised on BT Sport 3, with coverage starting at 7.15pm.

Live stream: BT Sport subscribers will be able to watch the match online via the BT Sport website or app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with Nizaar Kinsella at Stamford Bridge providing expert analysis.

Good evening!

17:27 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Chelsea vs RB Salzburg in the Champions League.

It’s Graham Potter’s first match in charge of the Blues, a week on from Thomas Tuchel’s sacking after that defeat in Zagreb.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from Stamford Bridge. Stay tuned!