ISTANBUL // Fernando Torres scored a valuable away goal for Chelsea in a 1-1 draw at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday, but the Premier League side left Istanbul frustrated at their failure to build on their superior start.
Torres scored the first goal by an English team in the knock-out phase of the Uefa Champions League this season when he met Cezar Azpilicueta’s cutback in the ninth minute of their first-leg match in the last 16.
But Chelsea failed to make the most of their counter-attacks and the Turkish champions equalised in the second half after gaining in confidence and cutting out their defensive mistakes.
Aurelien Chedjou put the ball past goalkeeper Petr Cech in the 64th after connecting with Wesley Sneijder’s corner.
“I wouldn’t want to say that’s a great result, we all now know what a strong team they are,” Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard told British broadcaster Sky Sports. “So (I’m a) little bit disappointed today really at halftime it wasn’t more than one nil up. I think we played very well first half, we controlled it.
“They didn’t have any chances and we have about four or five very good counterattacks, and we didn’t make more of them.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was already bracing for his side’s second-leg match in west London on March 18.
“They have very powerful strikers and we are going to have a difficult time at Stamford Bridge – that’s for sure,” Mourinho said.
The pre-match build-up centered on the Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba facing the team he won the Champions League with in 2012. But it was another former Premier League regular who played a key role as Chelsea took an early lead – for the wrong reasons.
Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue was dispossessed too easily inside the Chelsea half, allowing Mourinho’s side to launch a counter-attack down the left flank. Andre Schurrle fed the advancing defender Azpilicueta, who cut the ball back for the unmarked Torres to side-foot into an open net.
The hosts were leaving themselves too exposed, and unable to cause Chelsea many problems. The closest they came to leveling before the break was Izet Hajrovic sending a shot over the top.
The winger, though, was substituted in the 31st, with Yekta Kurtulus coming on as coach Roberto Mancini responded to the poor start.
“The game started and we did three of four mistakes,” Mancini said. “Maybe in the first half we played too deep, with fear.”
But Chelsea would pay for not making the most of their confident start, with Ramires volleying over.
Galatasaray’s defence looked as fragile at the start of the second half. Felipe Melo’s clearance went straight to Eden Hazard, who ran through the center and released Torres. Although the striker broke through the defence, his shot was saved by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
“We had too much respect for Chelsea ... we should have played more offensively without problems like in the second,” Mancini said.
Galatasaray recovered from their shaky start and proved much tougher opponents after the break.
“We had chances to kill the game,” Mourinho said. “I’m not critical of my strikers because my strikers did a very good game, but overall when we go to counterattack situations we are missing the last pass, the last control, the last choice ... the second goal would have changed the story of the game.”
It never came.
The woodwork did deny Galatasaray. Drogba headed down from Sneijder’s delivery to Selcuk Inan, who hit the post.
But Mancini’s side found the target barely a minute later. Sneijder swung in a corner from the left, Chedjou turned the ball in from close range after getting in front of Chelsea captain John Terry.
“We probably deserved to score another goal,” Mancini said.
Indeed, Cech only spared Chelsea from traveling back to London needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit, by tipping over Alex Telles’ swerving shot after William gave the ball away.
“We weren’t passing it like we was in the first half,” Lampard said. “A few things were disappointing. It’s one of those results – you are kind of happy with it, but we have still got a lot of work to do.”
sports@thenational.ae
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
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BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450
Price, base / as tested Dh525,000 / Dh559,000
Engine: 3.0L V6 biturbo
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 369hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm at 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.0L / 100km
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
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