It was a difficult night for Chelsea in Belarus. Pre-match predictions were of an expectant comfortable victory.
Unfortunately for Blues fans it wasn’t quite that simple. Chelsea looked lacklustre and devoid of ideas in an attacking sense. That does have to go down in part to BATE Borisov’s resolute defending.
The hosts did also offer an attacking threat, hitting the woodwork on no fewer than three occasions.
Ultimately it was a fine header from Olivier Giroud that gave Maurizio Sarri’s men a 1-0 victory. But an element of luck was felt amongst blues supporters.