Chelsea's Champions League hopes were left in a giant hole in the heart of Ukraine’s mining country last night.And Roberto Di Matteo must now act to ensure the Blues do not go into yet another “October surprise” tailspin.
In the Donbass Arena, the European champions were given a hiding from start to finish, second best in every department as their early-season form vanished.
This was supposed to be the night when Di Matteo’s new-look team laid out a statement of intent to Europe. Instead, run ragged by a Willian-inspired Shakhtar, they were a mess, with not even the return of John Terry able to alter the tide of events.
Poor defending by David Luiz and then Eden Hazard was punished in brutal fashion, as Alex Teixeira put Donetsk in front and fellow Brazilian Fernandinho doubled their advantage, to leave Chelsea facing the humiliation of a potential group-stage exit.
With Manchester United looming on Sunday, this was the worst time for Juan Mata to have an off-night, Oscar – before scoring two minutes from time – and Hazard to have shockers and Fernando Torres to do nothing to justify his cause.
Di Matteo has to patch up morale and get his side playing, and quickly. Recent Chelsea history shows how often one shock defeat has undermined an entire campaign.
While Terry’s return as skipper – wearing a United Against Racism armband – dominated the pre-match agenda, Di Matteo knew his men were walking into a lion’s den.
If that message had not been taken on board, Chelsea had no option but to recognise the fight they faced when they went behind inside three minutes.
David Luiz must take the blame, failing to get in any sort of challenge as a throw-in from the Chelsea right reached Luiz Adriano.
And while Terry made half a block, the ball fell perfectly for Alex Teixeira, one of four Brazilians in the Donetsk side, to fire across Petr Cech and into the bottom corner.
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