Chelsea Under-19s suffered their first UEFA Youth League defeat in 18 matches as Joe Edwards’s team were beaten by a goal either side of half-time at an overcast Cobham.
Schalke were the winners in Surrey on the last occasion Chelsea lost in Europe back in November 2014 but Roma matched that feat with a resilient and clinical performance.
A penalty awarded at the end of an evenly-matched first half swung the balance of the game, with Andrea Marcucci converting from 12 yards, before Lorenzo Valeau doubled the damage with a drive from distance just before the hour mark.
Despite tinkering to the system and personnel, it just wasn’t Chelsea day as a string of chances were spurned in the final half hour, leaving three sides tied on the same number of points at the top of Group C.
Edwards made two changes from the side that recorded an impressive victory against Atletico in Madrid on the previous matchday, both enforced absences as George McEachran and Callum Hudson-Odoi remain away with England at the Under-17 World Cup.
Juan Castillo and Tariq Uwakwe came into the team as the hosts switched to a back three in front of unchanged goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.
