Chelsea made to pay the penalty against Valencia on Champions League return

Relive all of the action at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea v Valencia: Champions League match preview

Ross Barkley fluffed a late penalty as Frank Lampard suffered defeat on his Champions League debut as Chelsea manager.

The Blues, trailing to a goal from Valencia winger Rodrigo, were given a lifeline in the closing stages when VAR flagged up a handball in the area.

But Barkley's spot-kick clipped the crossbar to condemn Lampard and his young side to a 1-0 loss in the Group H opener.

Relive the action.

[17 September 2019 15:49 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Chelsea vs Valencia in the Champions League.

[17 September 2019 17:21 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Chelsea make their long-awaited return to the Champions League this evening, and one man who has been especially excited to see the club back in the competition is Frank Lampard.

Here is Miguel Delaney's feature on why this tournament means so much to Lampard.

In the midst of his individual office meetings with the Chelsea squad through pre-season, and at the end of his talk with Pedro Rodriguez, Frank Lampard just couldn’t help himself.

He asked the Spanish international about those famous Champions League matches against Barcelona. What it was like on the other side, what they were thinking. Lampard was just loving recalling it all. A manager-player work meeting had turned into a breezy talk about old times, between two old opponents.

Relatively stern in his job so far, Lampard softening up for such a nostalgia trip is natural. Pedro played for Barcelona in their epic elimination to Chelsea in 2011-12, a tie that really got started when Lampard started the move for Didier Drogba’s goal by dispossessing Leo Messi. It was a landmark night for the midfielder, on the way to that first Champions League for the club, and “the best footballing night of my life”.

“If I had finished without that on my CV,” Lampard said recently, “I would certainly have felt incomplete.”

[17 September 2019 17:24 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Kepa Arrizabalaga is confident he and Chelsea's other Champions League rookies can flourish in the competition this season.

Kepa, Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori are all set for their debuts among Europe's elite when they face Valencia at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

It might be a step into the unknown for Chelsea's young team but Kepa feels the "energy" and "enthusiasm" they demonstrated in winning 5-2 at Wolves on Saturday will serve them well.

The 24-year-old Spain goalkeeper said: "Regardless of the fact we're a young team and it's only September and there is a long way to go, we are going to play with energy and try and attack the opposition.

"Many of the players in the team will be playing their first Champions League game but we've been waiting for this for a long time.

"We spent the whole of last year trying to qualify for the Champions League so we feel very enthusiastic.

"We can't wait to see the atmosphere at the Bridge and play in front of our fans in the most important European club competition."

[17 September 2019 17:31 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Get excited, the Champions League is back.

Liverpool claimed the trophy for a sixth time in their glittering history last season when goals from Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi were enough to see off a stubborn Tottenham Hotspur in Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s side return as one of the favourites once again but, as they did in the Premier League a year ago, will have to outlast Manchester City with Pep Guardiola desperate to claim the trophy again.

Chelsea are back in the big time under Frank Lampard while Spurs will hope to go one better after going so close back in June.

And we can’t count out the big boys either: Barcelona return renewed with the added help of Frenkie De Jong and Antoine Griezmann while 13-time winners Real Madrid can never be dismissed. Here are our power rankings:

[17 September 2019 17:40 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Frank Lampard, a debutant as a manager in Europe, has this week claimed that his side have what it takes to get out of a tough group which also includes Ajax and Lille.

He said: "I'm confident - but very aware of the dangers.

"Our target is to qualify from a tough group. It is different from the Premier League - the main thing is that the concentration levels throughout the game have to be spot on. The different level can surprise you.

"I have belief in the players. I think we have talent that can blossom in the Champions League."

[17 September 2019 17:47 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Valencia are in a state of disarray with players up in arms about the sacking of their manager Marcelino last week.

The squad are refusing to speak to the media, and even though one player is required by UEFA to attend pre-Champions League press conferences, new boss Albert Celades cut a lonely figure as he spoke to reporters on Monday evening.

He said: "Obviously it's not an ideal situation but it's the players' decision, really.

"The spirit is very good. It's the start of the best club competition in Europe and that is ample motivation for the players to give their best.

"They want to play, taste the atmosphere. and be in the starting XI. No-one wants to miss out and that, for me, is the most important thing."

[17 September 2019 17:51 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Our team of football writers had a go at predicting what will happen in this year's Champions League - here is what they came up with:

[17 September 2019 18:11 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Everyone knows that seasoned campaigners such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Aguero will all be hoping to similarly inspire their clubs to glory this season, after missing out last time around.

But there are plenty of younger talents, alongside the veterans, who are looking to make their mark on the competition and propel themselves to the forefront of the game.

Here is our list of youngsters you should be watching closely.

 

[17 September 2019 18:29 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Not too long until team news is announced! Here is what we expect will happen at Stamford Bridge this evening:

[17 September 2019 18:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Frank Lampard is confident Chelsea can upset the odds in the Champions League this season, but has reassured fans that he is not yet looking beyond the group stage.

"I'm confident but very aware of the dangers," he said.

"Our target is to qualify from a tough group. It is different [from league football]; the main thing is that the concentration levels throughout the game have to be spot on. The different level can surprise you.

"I have belief in the players. I think we have talent that can blossom in the Champions League."