Chelsea vs Roma - as it happened: Eden Hazard salvages hosts a point after Italians fight back
Re-live all the action from Stamford Bridge
Chelsea host Roma on Wednesday night hoping to extend their 100 per cent record in the Champions League. The Blues won in dramatic fashion against Atletico Madrid last time out, scoring with the last kick of the game thanks to Michy Batshuayi.
That result gave Roma a boost of qualifying from this tough group following their own draw with the Spanish side and a narrow victory away to Qarabag. The Italians have been in mixed form since that win against the Azeris, losing to Napoli at home but beating AC Milan away. They visit Stamford Bridge as big outsiders, but with the likes of Edin Dzeko, Radja Nainggolan and Kevin Strootman in the side, they will be no pushovers.
Follow all the action below:
Here’s everything you need to know about the match:
What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 18 October.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport ESPN will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively, return to this page for updates from our live blog.
It’s a big game for…
David Luiz. The Brazilian enjoyed a brilliant return season as Chelsea won the Premier League title last year, playing a pivotal role in the heart of defence following Antonio Conte’s switch to 3-4-3. This season has been less convincing however, with a careless red card against Arsenal and a moment of madness in giving a penalty away against Atletico Madrid being blotches on his record. But one of his standout performances of the season was when playing in midfield against Tottenham Hotspur. He is due to be played in that position again on Wednesday night and Chelsea, fresh off defeats to Crystal Palace and Manchester City, need their man to be at his best.
One to watch…
Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup during his time at Manchester City as well as scoring over 70 goals at a rate of almost one in two despite spending most of his time on the bench. Since moving to the Italian capital in 2015 he has continued that impressive record, netting 44 league goals in 75 games and finishing as Serie A’s top scorer last season. Underestimate him at your peril.
Form…
Chelsea: LLWWW
Roma: LWWWW
Odds…
Chelsea: 8/15
Draw: 18/5
Roma: 5/1
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Wednesday night's Champions League action.
We'll be focusing on the clash between Benfica and Manchester United at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon but there will also be updates from all the games across Europe - including Chelsea vs Roma and Bayern Munich vs Celtic.
Team news from around Europe to follow in around five minutes' time.
Manchester United team to face Benfica confirmed
Starting XI: De Gea; Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Blind; Herrera, Matic; Mkhitaryan, Mata, Rashford; Lukaku
Subs: Romero, Darmian, Jones, McTominay, Lingard, Young, Martial
Chelsea team to face Roma confirmed
Starting XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Luiz, Cahill, Zappacosta; Fabregas, Bakayoko; Alonso, Hazard, Morata
Subs: Caballero, Rudiger, Scott, Kenedy, Pedro, Willian, Batshuayi
Can Celtic stun the five-time European champions after their impressive win away to Anderlecht last time out?
United's U19s rescue a point in Uefa Youth League
Manchester United have already played Benfica once today - in the Uefa Youth League.
The Red Devils were 2-0 down at one stage but a couple of second-half goals from Joshua Bohui (pictured) rescued them a point.
What has Jose Mourinho been saying this week?
Jose Mourinho hit the headlines earlier this week when he revealed his admiration for PSG and admitted he doesn't envisage himself ending his managerial career at Manchester United.
However, in his press conference on Tuesday, the Portuguese said he has no intention of leaving the Red Devils any time soon - despite his provocative comments.
“I think you English media have the answer for that because on one day it says I am going to sign a five-year contract worth £1bn per season and then the next day you say that I am leaving and going to PSG – I think that is the answer,” said Mourinho, who is yet to open talks on an extension to his current United contract which is due to expire at the end of next season.
“The answer is that nothing is happening; I am not signing a new five-year contract and I am not leaving for PSG.
“I am at Man United and that is it. I have a contract I don't think there is an answer for that.”
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