Chelsea celebrated their first victory under new head coach Enzo Maresca with a 2-0 triumph over Swiss side Servette in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off round at Stamford Bridge. This win marks an important step for the Blues as they seek to secure a spot in the group stage of the competition, following a challenging start to the season.
A Tough First Half
Despite playing on home turf, Chelsea struggled to break down their resilient opponents during a goalless first half. The Swiss side, Servette, held their own against the Premier League giants, frustrating the hosts with a compact defensive structure. Chelsea’s attempts to find an early breakthrough were thwarted by a combination of solid defending and a lack of sharpness in the final third.
The absence of key players from the starting lineup due to Maresca’s decision to make nine changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Manchester City over the weekend contributed to Chelsea’s disjointed play. The Blues lacked fluidity in their attack, with their best chance of the half coming from a speculative long-range effort that failed to trouble the Servette goalkeeper.
Second Half Breakthrough
The breakthrough finally came five minutes into the second half when Chelsea was awarded a penalty. Christopher Nkunku, who had been relatively quiet throughout the match, calmly slotted the ball home from the spot, netting his fourth goal for the club since joining from RB Leipzig in the summer. The goal provided a much-needed boost for Chelsea and their supporters, who had grown increasingly anxious as the match progressed.
Following the opener, Chelsea had an opportunity to double their lead when young striker Marc Guiu found himself in a prime position to score. However, Guiu inexplicably missed an open goal, much to the disbelief of the Stamford Bridge faithful. Despite this missed opportunity, Chelsea continued to press forward, searching for the second goal that would give them a more comfortable cushion ahead of the return leg in Switzerland.
Madueke Seals the Win
The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when Noni Madueke, another summer signing, latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Enzo Fernandez. Madueke made no mistake, firing the ball into the back of the net to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead. The goal not only provided breathing room for the Blues but also highlighted the potential of the new-look Chelsea squad under Maresca’s guidance.
Servette nearly pulled one back late in the game when Tiemoko Ouattara’s deflected strike hit the crossbar. The close call served as a reminder that Chelsea’s defense, while improved, still has vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
Maresca’s Reflections
Speaking after the match, Maresca expressed satisfaction with the result, especially considering the numerous changes made to the starting lineup. “We are learning how to manage the game,” Maresca noted. “It was important to win the game with nine changes. There were many good things.”
However, the win was slightly marred by an injury scare involving Cole Palmer. The young English talent, who came on as a second-half substitute, was seen holding the back of his leg as he walked down the dugout at full-time. Maresca downplayed the severity of the issue, stating, “Cole felt something but he looks fine. Hopefully, it is no problem and he can be available for Sunday’s game against Wolves.”
Elsewhere in Europe
In other UEFA competitions, Greek club Panathinaikos suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of 10-man Lens, while Fiorentina, with former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea making his debut, was held to a 3-3 draw by Puskas Akademia. Irish side St Patrick’s kept their European hopes alive with a goalless draw against Istanbul Basaksehir.
In the Europa League play-offs, Dutch side Ajax cruised to a 4-1 victory over Jagiellonia, thanks to a hat-trick from English forward Chuba Akpom. Meanwhile, Besiktas squandered a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with Lugano, and Scottish club Hearts fell to a 1-0 defeat against Viktoria Plzen.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s victory over Servette sets them up well for the second leg, where they will look to secure their place in the Conference League group stage. With Maresca continuing to shape his team, the Blues will be eager to build on this win and gain momentum as they navigate the challenges of the new season.
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