While Chelsea enjoyed a comfortable 1-0 win against PAOK to kickstart their Europa League campaign, all did not appear to be well in their camp during the match. Willian’s early strike gave the Blues the lead after good work from Jorginho and Ross Barkley but Maurizio Sarri’s side failed to put the game to bed, wasting several chances.
One player who was particularly guilty of failing to convert opportunities was under pressure striker Alvaro Morata. Despite having seven shots, he failed to hit the target once and he was hauled off by Sarri with 10 minutes to go.
Clearly unhappy with being brought off, Morata shrugged his manager off who attempted to congratulate him for his performance on the sideline. The Spanish striker has completed 90 minutes just once this season, scoring once in five matches.
Chelsea missed a number of chances to make the scoreline more emphatic and Morata was the biggest culprit. The Spain striker headed wide from a Pedro cross before dragging a left-footed shot wide from Antonio Rudiger’s throughball.
He cut a forlorn figure as he trudged off to be replaced by Giroud on 81 minutes.
“Morata had three or four opportunities, he was unlucky,” said Sarri. “I hope in the future I can try to help him, but the confidence comes only with goals. I am not able to give him confidence.
“But I have to say also that for the first time this season he was very ready in the box. He was on the ball, he was active.”