It’s like one of those “spot the difference” pub games. Except it’s video. And it’s real life.
2015. Willian. Free kick. Chelsea’s second goal vs. Dynamo Kiev. (Champions League group stages.)
2019. Willian. Free kick. Chelsea’s second goal vs. Dynamo Kiev. (Europa League Round of 16 first leg.)
And yes, there is some trickeration involved with stretching the frames to make it look exactly like it’s a carbon copy.
But it’s very close either way.
Same player.
Same opposition.
Same end.
Same outcome.
Same place, almost.
The one yesterday was from about five yards closer. And Chelsea had fewer players in the box because we were already leading rather than desperately searching for a winner that would give us a first win in nine(!) games. Then, it was a winning goal; now, it was “merely” a goal that made certain of the win, our third on the bounce.
This is Willian’s 11th free kick goal for Chelsea (of 52 total). That’s absolutely remarkable.
11 - Since his Chelsea debut in September 2013, Willian has scored 11 direct free-kick goals in all competitions, more than any other Premier League player. Lethal. #CHEDYN #UEL pic.twitter.com/uw1IPDMup2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 7, 2019
2015-16: M.Tel Aviv (2x), Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Newcastle, Southampton
2016-17: Brentford, Stoke, Spurs
2018-19: Vidi FC, Dynamo Kiev
Practice makes perfect!