After a high-tempo start in the first half, the Blues went into the break goalless despite controlling much of the play.

The breakthrough finally came shortly after the restart, with the ever-lively Ampah capping off a well-worked move. Jesse Derry danced through defenders before unleashing a strike towards goal and Ampah was perfectly placed to make sure it crossed the line.

But the advantage was brief. Mislav Cutuk levelled the score with a long-range effort before finding the net again deep into stoppage time, snatching all three points in cruel fashion in our opening game of the competition.

We're up for it

This Saturday afternoon fixture burst into life from the first whistle, with both sides showing early intent. Chelsea immediately seized control, pressing high and signalling our ambition for a strong start to the European campaign.

The Blues almost capitalised within the opening 10 minutes after a slick passing move. Reggie Walsh picked out Ryan Kavuma-McQueen in space and the winger drove a powerful low effort just wide of the post. It was a warning sign of what was to come.

An early setback followed as defender Richard Olise was forced off after tracking back during a quick counter-attack. Manager Calum McFarlane reacted swiftly, introducing Landon Emenalo from the bench.

Chelsea remained unfazed and continued to push forward. Schoolboy Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli combined well with Ampah down the flank before whipping a curling effort towards goal. It looked certain to creep in, only for a Croatian defender to head clear on the line.

The pressure showed no signs of easing as Deivid Washington forced a strong save from Tai Znudel with a sharp strike on target. We continued to dictate the tempo, with Kavuma-McQueen proving relentless down the wing. He threatened once again with another low effort, but the goalkeeper was equal to it.

Dinamo registered a rare attempt when captain Marko Zebic tried his luck from distance, sweeping a shot wide of Max Merrick’s goal. But Chelsea were quickly back on the front foot. Kavuma-McQueen delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, met by a glancing header from Washington that narrowly cleared the bar.

As half-time approached, the Blues continued to probe for the breakthrough, carving out several promising openings. However, despite a dominant and entertaining first 45 minutes, the deadlock remained unbroken, and we headed into the interval goalless at Kingsmeadow.

As the second half resumed, McFarlane injected fresh energy with a triple substitution, introducing Derry, Harrison McMahon and a trialist. Derry made an instant impression, dazzling down the wing with his quick footwork and immediately putting Dinamo on the back foot as we maintained their attacking intent.

Just after the hour mark, Kian Best came close to breaking the deadlock from a set-piece. His powerful free-kick looked destined for the top corner but dipped just too late, brushing the roof of the net on its way over.

Chelsea’s persistence finally told as the breakthrough came in well-deserved fashion. Derry surged into the box with confidence, keeping his balance under pressure before firing a low effort goalward. With the ball rolling towards the line, Ampah reacted instinctively to apply the finishing touch from close range, making sure it found the back of the net.

Late disappointment

Despite pushing hard for a second goal, the visitors struck back with just five minutes remaining. Cutuk pounced on a loose ball deep in Chelsea territory, dispossessing a defender before firing from distance. His effort slipped through Max Merrick, bringing the game level and setting up a tense finale.

In stoppage time, a swift counter saw Cutuk burst through one-on-one and slot home, despite a valiant recovery run from Emenalo, who came agonisingly close to clearing off the line.

It was a cruel end to an otherwise spirited display, resulting in a disappointing result for the Blues.

What's next

Chelsea Under-21s are back in action next Saturday as we host Arsenal in a Premier League 2 clash at Kingsmeadow, with kick-off at 2pm. Tickets are still available. Chelsea members, season ticket holders (for both the men’s and women’s teams), and supporters aged under 20 can claim a free ticket. General admission is priced at £4.

The teams

Chelsea (4-3-3): Max Merrick; Richard Olise (Landon Emenalo 14), Justin Osagie (Harrison Murray-Campbell 71), Kaiden Wilson (c), Kian Best; Ollie Harrison (Harrison McMahon h-t), Reggie Walsh, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (Trialist h-t), Ato Ampah, Deivid Washington, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen (Jesse Derry h-t)
Unused subs: Hudson Sands, Shumaira Mheuka
Scorer: Ampah 73
Booked: Kavuma-McQueen 45, Murray-Campbell 90+4

Dinamo Zagreb: Tai Znudel, Noa Mikic, Marko Zebic (c), Kresimir Rados (Nikola Radnic 62), Mislav Cutuk, Leonardo Perkovic (Josip Brundic 83), Sven Sunta (Tomas Bakovic 31), Petar Simun Zaja, Andelo Sutalo (Kaloyan Bozhkov h-t), Karlo Zulfic (Vuk Vlahovic h-t), Leon Jakirovic
Unused sub: Josip Buric
Scorer: Cutuk 85, 90+3
Booked: Zulfic 45