Defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday has left Chelsea facing a first season without Champions League football since Roman Abramovich brought his billions to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2003.
The loss will be more than mere prestige. A year-long exile from Europe's elite competition is expected to cost Chelsea up to £45 million when broadcast and matchday income are factored in -- hardly an ideal situation heading into a summer that will bring a new manager and grand plans for significant investment in an underachieving squad.
Yet in this of all years, the financial blow may not be quite so devastating.