Football

Pulisic, Azpilicueta doubtful for Chelsea UCL test versus Bayern


Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta, who both limped off during Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal, have handed Frank Lampard a double injury blow ahead of his side’s return to Champions League action against Bayern Munich.

Both players appeared to pull their hamstrings in either half of the 2-1 defeat at Wembley. Azpilicueta hobbled off 10 minutes before half-time, shortly after conceding the penalty which saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang make it 1-1.

Pulisic had opened the scoring for Chelsea in just the fifth minute of the match, but he too left the field clutching his hamstring just after the restart. A late shoulder injury to Pedro in his final game for Chelsea before he joins Serie A club Roma was the final act of the game, as hopes of a late equaliser diminished.

Both Pulisic and Azpilicueta could now be in doubt for the second leg of Chelsea’s Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich next Saturday – which the Blues trail 3-0 on aggregate.

An Aubameyang brace saw Arsenal clinch a record 14th FA Cup victory and ensured the Gunners victory in all three of their finals with Chelsea.

Sammy Wejinya

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