Defending European Champions Chelsea successfully progressed into the round of 16, as they ran riot winning 4-0 against the Bianconeri.
The hosts were the dominant side for the majority of the game but they escaped a goal scare in the 26th minute due to the brilliance of Thiago Silva.
The visitors were starting to cause trouble for the Chelsea defence and very nearly scored when the ball was lobbed into the path of Alvaro Morata, who then tried to chip it past Edouard Mendy but Thiago Silva pulled off a spectacular goal-line clearance.
He read Morata’s mind even before the Spaniard made contact with the ball and started to run towards the goal line, eventually lunging at the ball to make sure the clean sheet stayed intact.
The crowd at the bridge made sure he knew that his efforts hadn’t gone unnoticed as they celebrated the clearance like a goal, and as the match progressed, Chelsea fans sang the Brazilian’s praises with the popular “Oh Thiago Silva” chant.
The 37-year-old veteran might’ve lost a bit of speed but his remarkable anticipation and understanding of the game compensate for that.
He’s adjusted to life at Chelsea effortlessly, and the Chelsea backline always seems more assured when the Brazilian’s name is on the team sheet.
It isn’t just the fans who’ve taken notice of these consistently solid performances from Silva as Blues legend and former defender John Terry, who’s long been an admirer of “O Monstro”, posted on Twitter applauding the spectacular clearance.
