UCL: AS Roma 3-0 Chelsea

Antonio Conte's return to Italy spoiled by wasteful, woeful performance

Chelsea were soundly beaten 3-0 by Roma in the Stadio Olimpico, with Stephan El Shaarawy scoring twice for the victors.

The hosts handed a start to Alessandro Florenzi at right-back, with both Bruno Peres and Rick Karsdorp sidelined by injury.

Blues head coach Antonio Conte decided midfielder N'Golo Kante was not quite ready to return, while Cesc Fabregas made his 100th Champions League appearance.

Roma made a perfect start as inside the first minute Aleksandar Kolarov played the ball forward to Edin Dzeko on the edge of the area and his headed knockdown was converted superbly by El Shaarawy.

Chelsea responded with Eden Hazard testing keeper Alisson with a low shot and the visitors then started to enjoy the better of the play in general.

Belgium forward Hazard had another effort on target 20 minutes in, but it was straight at the waiting Alisson.

Hazard continued to look lively and, with 25 minutes played, the Blues had a clear chance when Kolarov messed up his clearance, but Alvaro Morata failed to hit the target when well placed.

El Shaarawy was denied by Thibaut Courtois as Roma threatened to double their lead, but he made no mistake nine minutes before half-time, making the score 2-0 after a mix-up in the Blues defence.

Marcos Alonso was denied by a fine save from Alisson shortly before half-time, with Tiemoue Bakayoko unable to hit the target with a header from the resulting corner.

Dzeko was the first to threaten after the restart, with the Bosnian firing an effort over the top from the edge of the area.

Morata then dragged an effort wide of target, with Willian entering the fray to try and boost the Blues.

However, just past the hour mark Roma added a third goal as Diego Perotti weaved his way past Pedro and his right-foot effort from 25 yards proved too good for Courtois.

Perotti could have added a fourth goal soon after, but he blazed over after collecting a Dzeko pass, while Courtois did superbly to keep out a Kostas Manolas header.