Roma 3-0 Chelsea: El Staar-awy nets twice as Blues humbled

Stephan El Shaarawy put Roma ahead after 39 seconds against Chelsea with a rocket from the edge of the box and the English champions never recovered.

However despite a poor performance at the Stadio Olimpico, the Blues remain likely to progress to the next round after Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Qarabag, giving Antonio Conte’s side a huge boost.

Diego Simeone’s side must beat Chelsea and Roma in their final two games if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the knock-out phases.

Edin Dzeko’s marvellous back header to El Shaarawy sat perfectly for the forward to rifle home from 20 yards and although Eden Hazard tested Alisson on three occasions and Alvaro Morata fired over, the Blues could not pull level.

El Shaarawy capitalised on a poor error from Antonio Rudiger and tucked the ball past Thibaut Courtois to double Roma’s lead before half-time.

Chelsea’s second half showing was limp and Diego Perotti smashed in the third from outside the box.

“There is great disappointment for our second half,” said a rattled Conte. “I didn’t see positive things. It was really, really bad for a team like us.”

With no N’Golo Kante patrolling in midfield, the Frenchman still not back after injury, the Blues found it hard to match the energy Roma offered.

Both goalscorers, Perotti and El Shaarawy, were constant menaces either side of the impressive Edin Dzeko.

Rudiger’s mistake against his former side, letting the ball bounce into El Shaarawy’s path instead of clearing it, was the moment which killed Chelsea.

Morata, meanwhile, has gone six games without scoring for Chelsea, who will pray that run comes to an end against Manchester United on Sunday.

It is a crucial game in the Premier League season—and victory could be the kick-start Chelsea’s season needs. Defeat could send them into an irreversible tail-spin.