Chelsea 0-0 Sevilla: Frank Lampard’s team met in the opening match of the Champions League group stage

Chelsea got off to a frustrating start to their Champions League campaign after being contested by Sevilla, their first goalless draw with Frank Lampard.

Sevilla, champion of the Europa League last season, showed their experience on the European stage.

Former Liverpool striker Suso headed wide before Lucas Ocampos forced another save from Mendy after a poor clearance by Zouma.

Chelsea improved after the break, French defender Zouma and Ben Chilwell headed straight chances to goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Sevilla came close to taking the lead in spectacular fashion thanks to substitute Joan Jordan’s dipping volley from a corner.

With Group E rival Rennes tied 1-1 in France, Chelsea head to Russia next Wednesday to face Krasnador with all four teams at one point.

Positive for Lampard despite the draw

Chelsea have started this season with a series of goals at one end of the field and defensive implosions at the other.

While they failed to score for the second time in eight games this season, Lampard’s team at least managed a clean sheet after a greatly improved performance from behind.

Fifty-eight days after appearing in the Paris St-Germain final, Thiago Silva returned to the Champions League stage as Lampard shuffled his defense after conceding three against Southampton last Saturday.

Reece James also marked his return to defense with a solid performance, while Mendy’s save to deny Gudelj proved that Chelsea have at least one safe pair of hands on the team after Kepa Arrizabalaga’s troubles.

But on a night when Lampard became the second Englishman to coach in two Champions League campaigns, after Sir Bobby Robson, Chelsea struggled to cause Sevilla enough trouble going forward.

Timo Werner, with seven goals and two assists in his 11 previous games in the competition, was without service and on the rare occasions he was able to see the goal he was unable to impact.

New signings bedding in

Chelsea spent £ 250 million during the summer transfer window, with five of their recent additions starting this game.

Three, Mendy, Chilwell and Silva, impressed at the rear as the Blues put on their best defensive performance of the season to prevent the Spanish visitors from scoring.

Sevilla beat Wolves and Manchester United on their way to victory in the Europa League last season, but they couldn’t find a way to get past Chelsea’s well-trained backline.

Chilwell impressed on attack and it was his corner that created a great opportunity for Zouma before the former Leicester player had a chance of his own but was unable to beat Bounou.

Fewer goal attempts since 2015: the statistics

• Chelsea recorded just six shots, their fewest goal attempts in a Champions League game since February 2015, against Paris Saint-Germain (2).
• The Blues have drawn five of their last eight Champions League home games, as many as in their previous 33 games in competition at Stamford Bridge.
• Sevilla are undefeated in the first game of their last five Champions League campaigns (2 wins and 3 draws).
• Chelsea have won just one of their last 10 Champions League matches against Spanish rivals (D6 L3).
• Sevilla have failed to win any of their last five away games in the Champions League group stage (D4 L1).

More to follow.