Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu bounced the ball forward. Chaos reigned in the Italian penalty area. Many feet poked at the ball until Wesley Fofana rushed in and put it in from close range to make it 1-0 for Chelsea. The central defender euphorically celebrated his first goal for the Blues.
But 14 minutes after the goal, Fofana was shocked: The 21-year-old got stuck in the grass and obviously injured himself seriously. The Frenchman had to be substituted in the 38th minute of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League.
As Fofana left the square, he wept bitterly. On the one hand probably because of the pain, on the other hand because of the memory of another serious injury. Just last year, Fofana was out seven months after breaking his fibula. At that time, the French U21 international was still playing for Leicester City before moving to Chelsea last summer for 80 million euros.
This time, too, a serious injury is to be feared. After the game he could only leave the stadium on crutches.
It was Chelsea’s first win of the current Champions League season. The other goals were scored by former Dortmund player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (56th) and Reece James (62nd). Aubameyang’s goal was Chelsea’s 300th European Cup goal at home at Stamford Bridge.
“It was a very good and focused performance from us. The only flaw is Wesley Fofana’s injury,” said Chelsea manager Graham Potter. Chelsea are now second in the table behind Salzburg with four points. Milan are in third place with equal points ahead of Dinamo Zagreb, against whom Chelsea lost 1-0 away under Thomas Tuchel.