The two lines broke apart and moved toward their respective halves as the noise around Stamford Bridge continued to build.
Near the centre circle, Chilwell and Darikwa met the referee for the final formality before kickoff.
The official exchanged a glance with both players before holding the coin up.
"Call it."
Darikwa did, and just as he finished, the coin spun, dropped, and the referee caught it before giving the result.
After that, a few brief instructions followed.
"I want a clean game, guys. I know you just can't stop sometimes, but stop the ones you can, and we're good!"
Both players nodded, and after that, there wasn't much else to say.
They shook hands and turned away, heading back toward their teammates.
Around them, the stadium seemed to swell another notch.
The anticipation that had been building all afternoon was finally running out of road.
Kickoff was moments away.
"Right," the commentator said on the broadcast.
