Graham Potter named a different looking formation, that had a backline of Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva and Marc Cucurella.

The new Blues boss used a hybrid system that switched between four at the back and three at the back.

Before the game, Potter was asked by BT Sport if it was his plan to start with a back four, to which he responded: “Could be, could be.”

Potter failed to say much about his tactics before the game as he left everyone guessing.

He added: “I won’t give too much away, you can keep guessing.”

However, speaking after the 1-1 draw with RB Salzburg, Potter opened up on his system of play.

He said: “It was a back three as far as I was concerned with Reece and Raheem giving us the width.

“Salzburg are very strong in the middle with a 4-3-1-2 and it’s not easy to play through the middle of the pitch so we wanted to get some dangerous width. Raheem and Reece were that, more full-backs in the lateral positions and then midfield players.

“We got Raheem into some good situations and Reece as well down that side, but Salzburg defended well. They blocked and their keeper made some good saves.

“We can improve as well but from how the boys approached the game I’m really happy.”

Asked to expand on whether it was more of an attacking or defensive system, Potter said: “Whatever you do, there’s always a plus and a minus. We’re at home, we wanted to be on the front foot and get some attacking ideas in those wide positions.

“Raheem is really good at attacking a back-line and scored a fantastic goal, I thought he was really good in the game.

“Reece balances it off a bit so we can still defend in a four if we need to so that was the thinking.”