Olivier Giroud’s Europa League Masterclass Saves Sarri Blushes

Chelsea eased the pressure on boss Maurizio Sarri with a 2-1 victory over Malmo.

The Blues had been battered by Manchester City on Sunday with Sarri making five changes for the Europa League encounter.

Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain were among those to miss out but Chelsea took the lead through Ross Barkley as he poked in the opener.

Olivier Giroud flicked in Chelsea’s second as they took a 2-0 lead and put one foot in the last 16.

But Malmo set up a nervy finale as Christiansen raced clear of the defence and beat Kepa.

The Blues lacked any incisiveness in the final third, and had to rely on a rare defensive error from a disciplined Malmo to break the deadlock, with Ross Barkley able to eventually bring down Pedro’s cross and stab home from close range for his first ever European goal.

It also marked the first time Chelsea have found the net away from Stamford Bridge in 2019, bringing to an end a run of 45 days without an away goal since N’Golo Kante’s winner at Crystal Palace in late December.

It might not have been the most eye-catching goal since Sarri took over, but it likely brought with it the most relief.

Chelsea’s winner was at least more aesthetically pleasing – Olivier Giroud providing the backheel finish to Willian’s low cross to find the net for the fourth successive Europa League match – but despite that Sarri’s night ended with the worrying sight of one pass cutting out his whole defence and Anders Christensen tucking a low shot past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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