On the first day, FK Krasnodar and Chelsea started with a draw against Stade Rennais (1-1) and Sevilla FC (0-0) respectively. Both teams were keen to win their first match in the 2020/2021 Champions League campaign. And the start of the match was quite rhythmic between the two teams. Daniil Utkin unleashed the first banner (4th) before Hakim Ziyech answered for Chelsea (9th). The Blues upped the 41st and Timo Werner got a penalty. However, Jorginho was missing by hitting the left post and Matvey Safonov kept the danger out with a bit of success (14th). Very happy on this one, Krasnodar had a new possibility via Tonny Vilhena but Kurt Zouma diverted in the corner (19th). Far from being content with a sparring-partner role, the Russian team was struggling with some rather rough Blues sequences on the attacking front. However, Frank Lampard’s team managed to set the tone. Well found on the left of the box by Kai Havertz, Callum Hudson-Odoi struck towards the Russian goal and Matvey Safonov made a hand foul (1-0, 37th). That allowed the Blues to go back to the locker room with a goal in front.
In the second half, Chelsea was frightened by conceding chances from Kristoffer Olsson (47th) and Daniil Utkin (48th) before Matéo Kovacic (49th) put in use Matvey Safonov, Krasnodar’s goalkeeper. Wanting to get back on the scoreboard and equalize, the Byki’s even found the crossbar through Yuri Gazinskiy (55′). Evgeni Chernov also put the danger on the goal of Édouard Mendy (61st) to no avail. Finally, Krasnodar was punished after a hand from Aleksandr Martynovich in the box (74th). Timo Werner set up a helpless Matvey Safonov (2-0, 76′) on the left of a missile. Better yet, Chelsea was definitely safe in the process thanks to Hakim Ziyech. Found by Timo Werner at the penalty spot, the Moroccan deposited the ball in the small right net (3-0, 80′). Christian Pulisic also gave himself a late goal (4-0, 90th). With this 4-0 result, the Blues take the lead in Group E just ahead of Krasnodar, Rennes, and Sevilla FC.
