Hello and welcome to Eurosport's LIVE text commentary of the Europa League last-32 clash between Chelsea and Malmo. Having faced the wrath of the Blues supporters in that dismal 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup, Maurizio Sarri will be desperate for his side to protect their 2-1 lead from the first-leg and claim their place in the last-16. The Italian has stressed his side need to win three or four consecutive games, and with the Carabao Cup final with Manchester City to play on Sunday, followed by a Premier League clash with Tottenham just three days later, there would be no better time for Chelsea to find some form.
Europa League / 1/16 Final
Stamford Bridge / 21.02.2019
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- O. Giroud(56')
- R. Barkley(75')
- C. Hudson-Odoi(85')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 21/02/2019 at 21:51 GMT
5'
Azipilicueta commits another needless foul in midfield - Chelsea haven't started particularly well.
4'
OVER! Vindheim whips in a cross from deep, Bengtsson rises above Giroud but can't keep his header down.
3'
Malmo's wing-back Reiks draws the foul from Rudiger and now the visitors have a chance to test the home side's defence with a free-kick on the flank.
2'
On first glance, it seems that Kovacic is playing in the anchor role in midfield rather than Kante, who appears to be playing further forward again.
1st Half
1'
KICK-OFF!
Chelsea get us underway at the Bridge.
19:58
Here comes the players. Will Chelsea return to form in front of their suffering supporters? Or is there a cup upset on the cards?
Malmo need to score at least two tonight to progress... surely not?!
19:55
FIVE MINUTE WARNING
A reminder of tonight's starting XIs as we edge closer to kick-off...
Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Kovacic, Barkley, Willian, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi.
Malmo XI: Dahlin, Vindheim, Nielsen, Bengtsson, Safari, Traustason, Christiansen, Bachirou, Rieks, Antonsson, Rosenberg.
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RESULT JUST IN
Arsenal cruise to the round of 16, after a convincing victory over BATE.
19:52
MATCH STAT
Swedish sides have won just once in their last seven European encounters away to English teams - winning their most recent such game (Ostersunds' 2-1 win against Arsenal in last season's Europa League).
19:42
Here is our report on the first-leg...
19:37
Malmo boss Uwe Rosler: "He [Sarri] has to live with the pressure, like we all do. Not tomorrow, but in general, I wish he comes through this difficult period and will continue.
"The goal made the game really interesting for us. I know we need to score, but we can. So, see what happens."
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19:32
PRE-MATCH STAT
Chelsea have won each of their last six Europa League home games, scoring at least three goals in five of those games (17 in total - 2.8 per game on average).
The omens look good...
19:27
Sarri: “After Monday night it is important for us to show character and determination tonight, to respond with the right attitude to the disappointment we felt," he said.
“We have to be more decisive in both boxes, we didn’t show enough aggression when attacking their area or defending our own, and ultimately this is where we lost the match.
“I understand why you are frustrated with results, and we all are. We are doing everything we can to return to winning games and all of us value the support you give as we work to turn it around and find the right path forward.”
19:21
SARRI RINGS THE CHANGES
So much for the Italian being too stubborn to change, eh? Jorginho has been dropped as Sarri makes a total of SEVEN changes from the side that started on Monday night. Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Ngolo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are the only players to keep their places.
The hugely talented Callum Hudson-Odoi has a chance to impress midfield. Kepa Arrizabalaga, at fault for one of the goals conceded against United, misses out through injury.
19:20
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea XI: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen, Emerson, Kante, Kovacic, Barkley, Willian, Giroud, Hudson-Odoi.
Subs: Cumming, Luiz, Ampadu, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Hazard, Higuain.
Malmo XI: Dahlin, Vindheim, Nielsen, Bengtsson, Safari, Traustason, Christiansen, Bachirou, Rieks, Antonsson, Rosenberg.
Subs: Melicharek, Larsson, Binaku, Lewicki, Strandberg, Ahmedhodzic, Gall.