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Champions League - Round of 16 - 2nd Leg
LilleLille1ChelseaChelsea2

Lille 1-2 Chelsea (1-4 agg): Blues move into Champions League quarter-finals

By Alex BysouthBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Champions Leaguecomments1146

Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic scored in both legs of the last-16 tie

Thomas Tuchel wants Chelsea to be the side everyone wants to avoid in the Champions League quarter-final draw after the holders beat Lille at a lively Stade Pierre-Mauroy to secure a 4-1 aggregate win.

The Blues took a 2-0 first-leg lead to France but, in a match played amid continued uncertainty over the club's future, they had to come from behind after a slow start to earn success in the return.

Burak Yilmaz pulled Lille back into the tie with a penalty after Jorginho handled, only for Christian Pulisic to reply in first-half injury time.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta then put the last-16 encounter beyond the French champions when he finished at the back post with 19 minutes remaining.

Tuchel's side will find out their last-eight opponents in Friday's draw.

"I want us to be the team nobody wants to play," said Tuchel. "That's the role we see ourselves in this last round of eight.

"It's a big step to do it again and again - and that is why we fight for top-four places in maybe the toughest league in the world and we fight now again in the top eight teams [in Europe].

"This brings out the very best in us."

Blues through despite off-field issues

It was something of a passive performance from the Blues as Lille harried and pressed with intent, though the Premier League outfit were able to maintain control and show their quality when needed.

Developments regarding the club's ownership continued to play out during the game as it was announced Lord Coe has joined a consortium led by ex-Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton to buy the club, while former Chelsea striker Gianluca Vialli said he is working with Nick Candy on his bid.

Earlier the Ricketts family, who own Major League Baseball team the Chicago Cubs, confirmed they are leading a group of investors which will make an offer by Friday's deadline.

Whether those off-field matters were a distraction or not, it was Lille who got a deserved 38th-minute opener following a bright start in which they made life uncomfortable for Chelsea.

Yilmaz placed his spot-kick in the top corner after Jorginho handled, with referee Davide Massa awarding the penalty after being told to view the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee.

But to Chelsea's credit they responded quickly and Jorginho made amends with a neat pass into Pulisic, who finished from a tight angle to dampen Lille's renewed hope.

Xeka did head against the post for the hosts in the second half, but when Azpilicueta guided Mason Mount's whipped ball in with his knee, the tie was over.

Chelsea will now wait to see what happens off the field, with Uefa also saying on Wednesday it was seeking clarification from the European Union on future Champions League matches involving the Blues after sanctions were imposed on Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Abramovich, who is understood to have strong ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, has had his assets frozen by the UK government and Chelsea have had to obtain a special licence to continue operating.

That has brought with it spending caps, though the club's players and staff were able to fly to Lille for the game because those arrangements were already made prior to the sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Three logo was displayed on Chelsea's changed yellow strip during the fixture despite the company saying it has requested the club finds a solution to remove it.

So while it may not have been a vintage performance, boss Tuchel will be pleased his side kept their focus and still have a chance to add to last season's Champions League triumph.

Player of the match

AzpilicuetaCésar Azpilicueta

with an average of 8.57

Lille

  1. Squad number17Player nameYilmaz
    Average rating

    5.10

  2. Squad number9Player nameDavid
    Average rating

    4.74

  3. Squad number29Player nameBradaric
    Average rating

    4.72

  4. Squad number6Player nameJosé Fonte
    Average rating

    4.60

  5. Squad number2Player nameZeki Çelik
    Average rating

    4.58

  6. Squad number7Player nameBamba
    Average rating

    4.36

  7. Squad number3Player nameTiago Djaló
    Average rating

    4.35

  8. Squad number20Player nameAngel Gomes
    Average rating

    4.32

  9. Squad number4Player nameBotman
    Average rating

    4.30

  10. Squad number11Player nameBen Arfa
    Average rating

    4.24

  11. Squad number24Player nameAmadou Onana
    Average rating

    4.17

  12. Squad number30Player nameLéo Jardim
    Average rating

    4.15

  13. Squad number5Player nameGudmundsson
    Average rating

    4.08

  14. Squad number8Player nameXeka
    Average rating

    3.99

  15. Squad number22Player nameWeah
    Average rating

    3.99

  16. Squad number21Player nameAndré
    Average rating

    3.59

Chelsea

  1. Squad number28Player nameAzpilicueta
    Average rating

    8.57

  2. Squad number19Player nameMount
    Average rating

    8.57

  3. Squad number10Player namePulisic
    Average rating

    8.48

  4. Squad number7Player nameKanté
    Average rating

    8.26

  5. Squad number6Player nameThiago Silva
    Average rating

    8.15

  6. Squad number2Player nameRüdiger
    Average rating

    8.13

  7. Squad number29Player nameHavertz
    Average rating

    8.10

  8. Squad number16Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    7.78

  9. Squad number8Player nameKovacic
    Average rating

    7.56

  10. Squad number5Player nameJorginho
    Average rating

    7.45

  11. Squad number4Player nameChristensen
    Average rating

    7.29

  12. Squad number14Player nameChalobah
    Average rating

    7.28

  13. Squad number3Player nameAlonso
    Average rating

    7.27

  14. Squad number22Player nameZiyech
    Average rating

    7.23

  15. Squad number12Player nameLoftus-Cheek
    Average rating

    6.81

  16. Squad number9Player nameLukaku
    Average rating

    6.23

Line-ups

Lille

Formation 4-4-2

  • 30Jardim
  • 2Zeki ÇelikSubstituted forWeahat 58'minutes
  • 6José FonteBooked at 90mins
  • 4BotmanSubstituted forMvom Onanaat 58'minutes
  • 3Embaló Djaló
  • 7BambaSubstituted forAbreu de Almeida Gomesat 78'minutes
  • 21André
  • 8da Silva Rocha
  • 5GudmundssonBooked at 42minsSubstituted forBradaricat 77'minutes
  • 17Yilmaz
  • 9DavidSubstituted forBen Arfaat 77'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Grbic
  • 11Ben Arfa
  • 19Lihadji
  • 20Abreu de Almeida Gomes
  • 22Weah
  • 23Zhegrova
  • 24Mvom Onana
  • 29Bradaric
  • 40Raux

Chelsea

Formation 3-5-2

  • 16Mendy
  • 4ChristensenSubstituted forChalobahat 33'minutesBooked at 34mins
  • 6Thiago Silva
  • 2Rüdiger
  • 28Azpilicueta
  • 7Kanté
  • 5JorginhoSubstituted forLoftus-Cheekat 74'minutes
  • 8KovacicSubstituted forMountat 45'minutes
  • 3Alonso
  • 29HavertzSubstituted forZiyechat 83'minutes
  • 10PulisicSubstituted forLukakuat 74'minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Arrizabalaga
  • 9Lukaku
  • 11Werner
  • 12Loftus-Cheek
  • 13Bettinelli
  • 14Chalobah
  • 19Mount
  • 22Ziyech
  • 23Kenedy
  • 31Sarr
  • 68Vale
Referee:
Davide Massa
Attendance:
49,048

Match Stats

Home TeamLilleAway TeamChelsea
Possession
Home44%
Away56%
Shots
Home8
Away8
Shots on Target
Home1
Away4
Corners
Home4
Away1
Fouls
Home15
Away20

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Lille 1, Chelsea 2.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Lille 1, Chelsea 2.

  3. Post update

    Attempt missed. Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) left footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.

  4. Booking

    José Fonte (Lille) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  5. Post update

    Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  6. Post update

    Foul by José Fonte (Lille).

  7. Post update

    Offside, Lille. Léo Jardim tries a through ball, but Benjamin André is caught offside.

  8. Post update

    Foul by N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea).

  9. Post update

    Angel Gomes (Lille) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  10. Post update

    Attempt saved. Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by N'Golo Kanté with a through ball.

  11. Post update

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Burak Yilmaz (Lille).

  13. Post update

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Xeka (Lille).

  15. Post update

    Attempt missed. Xeka (Lille) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Hatem Ben Arfa with a cross following a corner.

  16. Post update

    Corner, Lille. Conceded by Marcos Alonso.

  17. Post update

    Foul by N'Golo Kanté (Chelsea).

  18. Post update

    Xeka (Lille) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  19. Substitution

    Substitution, Chelsea. Hakim Ziyech replaces Kai Havertz.

  20. Post update

    Mason Mount (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

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1146 comments

  • Comment posted by andrea, at 22:02 16 Mar

    From a Millwall fan, well done Chelsea, whatever the political reasons are for this mess are, it's not the fans fault

    • Reply posted by Mal Teser, at 22:09 16 Mar

      Mal Teser replied:
      Correct. And great to see The Lions roaring again, great win tonight.

  • Comment posted by man u fan, at 21:57 16 Mar

    Well done Chelsea from a Man U fan my team can’t win so hopefully another English team does

  • Comment posted by Acky66, at 22:05 16 Mar

    Credit to Tuchel and the players for being so professional despite all the background stuff. Hopefully it just brings the players together to try and win more trophies despite all the haters.

    • Reply posted by Rubbertires, at 22:08 16 Mar

      Rubbertires replied:
      on a pure football level Chelsea have done nothing wrong and I do hope your predicament sorts itself out.

      LFC fan.

  • Comment posted by charles, at 22:03 16 Mar

    This result will annoy the media and the government no end. Well played Chelsea to do so well with the hysteria you are subjected to is brilliant.

    • Reply posted by Henry Hannon, at 22:13 16 Mar

      Henry Hannon replied:
      Why will the result annoy the government?

  • Comment posted by Joe, at 21:58 16 Mar

    Well done the Blues, the fans are Chelsea and Chelsea are the fans!

    • Reply posted by veni vidi fugi, at 22:15 16 Mar

      veni vidi fugi replied:
      Eyes closed tight

  • Comment posted by Hope and glory, at 22:27 16 Mar

    4 bids in already.
    20 credible investors want the club.
    The team marches on.
    Chelsea are going to be just fine.

    • Reply posted by Tony Saunders, at 22:31 16 Mar

      Tony Saunders replied:
      Hope Nick Candy can get the club. Although they all look good.

  • Comment posted by Blues Clues, at 22:11 16 Mar

    When you’re a WINNER you’ll always have HATERS! Up the blues! Up Chelsea 💙💙💙

    TAKE POLITICS OUT OF SPORTS!!!!

    • Reply posted by veni vidi fugi, at 22:19 16 Mar

      veni vidi fugi replied:
      If politics had been taken out of sport chelsea wouldn't exist. Chelsea has relied on immoral money for years. The russians kleptocrats needed london hideaways for their loot and that is what chelsea has been .

  • Comment posted by RR, at 21:59 16 Mar

    Given the circumstances off the pitch I would have taken any win and I'm glad we did win, onto the next round we go, COYB

    • Reply posted by Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC, at 23:37 16 Mar

      Dallas Cowboys Liverpool FC replied:
      Well done Chelsea good to see you continue to do the job on the field with everything that is going on eith you off the field.
      Also, note you were the only English team to win at home in this round.

  • Comment posted by man u fan, at 21:58 16 Mar

    Well done Chelsea deserved the win over the two legs

    • Reply posted by LondonsFinestClub, at 22:31 16 Mar

      LondonsFinestClub replied:
      That's the truth really. They gave it a good a go, but we eased home. Just wanna keep it up desfpitethe noise. FairPlay to the players.

  • Comment posted by DanWood, at 22:17 16 Mar

    Despite the state of the club and the dreadful PR team, the players and Tuchel continue to stay focused and deliver, very pleased for them. There are still a lot of young players in the side but they're showing a lot of maturity at the moment and deserve better than the comms team undermining them every three hours with stupid statements.

    • Reply posted by RR, at 22:28 16 Mar

      RR replied:
      Coming from a Chelsea fan I think for neutrals, this Chelsea team and manager seem like a decent bunch compared to their predecessors. Before we had Ashley Cole, Terry, Mourinho, who I like as players and manager as a Blue but I know what non Chelsea fans think of them.

  • Comment posted by SteveNeath, at 22:08 16 Mar

    Great result, unreal circumstances that the club and team find themselves in, but as shown over the last 20 years the team seems to thrive on adversity …
    Hopefully something positive with news about new owners in the next few days and drawing Benfica in the next round wouldn’t go amiss either 😆
    Arsenal losing as well helps us cement 3rd place… KTBFFH

    • Reply posted by La mitad mas que Indio, at 22:11 16 Mar

      La mitad mas que Indio replied:
      How about knowing Spuds will go full Spursy again and again, and again?

  • Comment posted by man u fan, at 21:59 16 Mar

    Good luck to all the remaining English teams hope one of u can win it

    • Reply posted by Get the miles in, at 22:01 16 Mar

      Get the miles in replied:
      English brands.

  • Comment posted by Cookie, at 22:13 16 Mar

    Chelsea continue to fly the flag for London

    • Reply posted by rubaduba, at 22:15 16 Mar

      rubaduba replied:
      Moscow

  • Comment posted by AMELIA BAILEY, at 22:06 16 Mar

    Well done Chelsea.

    • Reply posted by topo, at 22:10 16 Mar

      topo replied:
      Always happy to see a Brit team do well in Europe, whatever their colours...

  • Comment posted by Cliche121, at 22:34 16 Mar

    Sorry, what I meant to say was football is football, no politics, no religion, no racism, no sexism, no agenda, just sport, just football. As a huge fan of football, nothing gives me more joy and pride than to see football win and see a team win through adversity. Chelsea, the team, the coaches, management and supporters are the winners. Blue is colour and football is the game.

    • Reply posted by vinny45, at 23:01 16 Mar

      vinny45 replied:
      Well said.

  • Comment posted by Elrafiki2, at 22:35 16 Mar

    I can see that the haters are out in full force again tonight. Well, too bad cos CFC can't stop winning and won't disappear as u all wish. Chin up Chelsea fans wherever you may be. This too shall pass and we can all go on enjoying Watching our darling team without this uncertainty. Cheers

    • Reply posted by Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery, at 01:00 17 Mar

      Mike Torrinos Cellphone Battery replied:
      So you're not bothered that all Chelsea's "success" is tainted? That the money used was criminally acquired and stained?

  • Comment posted by La mitad mas que Indio, at 22:00 16 Mar

    Even with all their troubles off the field, congrats to Chelsea for a win. Hope you beat Real Madrid in the QF as Real are bad for football(Thanks Florentino). As a Bayern supporter, I hope Bayern don't face Chelsea as they could expose Nagelsmann for the fraud that he is, seeing as he insists on playing Suele when Suele's mind is on playing for Dortmund.

    • Reply posted by Dobby, at 07:18 17 Mar

      Dobby replied:
      Oh, and Chelsea aren’t bad for football…