On Tuesday evening, Chelsea welcomed defending La Liga Champions to Stamford Bridge for match day five of the 25/26 UEFA Champions League season. 

This was the first meeting between the two clubs since the round of 16 in the same competition back in March of 2018. The only player in the match day squad who is still at the club is Willy Caballero - now a first team coach. Estevao was only ten when that game was played. 

For the task at hand, Enzo Maresca opted for a line up of; Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Estevao, Enzo, Garnacho; Neto. 

Although it ended up being a brilliant night for The Blues, things could have been different. After just six minutes, Lamine Yamal played Ferran Torres through with a brilliant pass, but the former Manchester City forward struck wide when incredibly well placed.

Twenty or so minutes later, Chelsea capitalised, when Jules Kounde put the ball through his own net after blocking Pedro Neto's initial shot. Then, just one minute before first half stoppage time, Ronald Araujo was booked for a second time in the game, and given his marching orders. 

Despite this sending off, Flick made no defensive substitutions, which allowed Chelsea all the time and space they needed in the second half. Marescha made a change of his own, as Andrey Santos replaced Gusto, allowing James to move back to Right-Back.

Ten minutes after the restart, Estevao rifled a powerful shot with his weaker right foot into the roof of the net to double the advantage. Another incredible moment from one of the brightest young players in the world. 

Minutes later, Liam Delap replaced Garnacho. Within a quarter of an hour, the Englishman had his first goal for the club since the Club World Cup. After Enzo was played through, he squared the ball for Delap to emphatically finish. Although the goal was ruled out for offside in real time, a VAR check confirmed that the chance was onside, making it three goals and three points for Chelsea.

With the game secured, Maresca made more changes, as Jamie Gittens, Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George replaced Neto, James and Estevao - with the latter going off to a serious standing ovation. The world really is at his feet. 

This victory leaves Chelsea in fifth place in the league phase of the competition, although plenty of teams will be playing tomorrow night. Nevertheless, a top eight spot is very likely by the end of the gameweek. 

The perfect reaction after the dropped points to Qarabag. Next up in the Champions League: Atalanta away on Tuesday, the 9th of December.