Sports
Chelsea Clinches Victory over Servette in UEFA Conference League Play-Off
Chelsea Football Club began their campaign in the UEFA Conference League with an impressive win over Servette in the first leg of their play-off match. The game took place at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 8 pm BST.
This marks Chelsea’s inaugural participation in the UEFA Conference League, having secured qualification following a sixth-place finish in the previous Premier League season. Due to Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph, Chelsea found themselves in this competition for the first time.
On the opposite end, Servette faced a challenging road after their exit from the Europa League in the third qualifying round. Thursday’s match served as their last opportunity to compete in Europe this season.
The match commenced with Chelsea making several changes from their recent Premier League line-up. Coach Enzo Maresca opted to include new signings and younger players, with notable absences from the squad like Reece James and Marc Cucurella due to injuries.
Chelsea’s squad featured players such as Filip Jorgensen, Renato Veiga, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, all looking to make an impact in their European debut. The Blues had a shaky start, but their performance improved significantly in the second half.
Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring for Chelsea in the second half, converting a penalty after being fouled by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick. Following Nkunku’s goal, Noni Madueke extended Chelsea’s lead, ensuring a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg.
Servette, led by head coach Thomas Haberli, struggled to capitalize on their first-half dominance. Although they controlled possession, they could not convert their chances into goals, leaving them with much work to do for the return match.
This match was a crucial development for Chelsea, as they aimed to bolster team morale following their recent league loss. Maresca expressed relief at his team’s performance, highlighting areas for improvement as they prepare for their next league match against Wolverhampton.
