FC Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea: James and Fernandez on target as Blues take slender lead in Round of 16 tie
Chelsea maintained their flawless record in the UEFA Conference League by securing a 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Round of 16 match held in Denmark.
The enthusiastic crowd at Parken Stadium welcomed a Chelsea team that had been yearning for an away win, having last triumphed on the road against Astana nearly three months ago in mid-December.
That previous victory occurred during the league phase of this tournament, and while Chelsea had navigated those six matches with a perfect score, facing a seasoned European side like Copenhagen presented a significant challenge for the London club.
This challenge became evident in a first half that featured little goal-scoring action, as Chelsea found it difficult to assert their dominance despite controlling possession.
The early exit of Malo Gusto due to injury just 25 minutes into the match compounded Chelsea's difficulties, with the best chance of the half falling to Amin Chiakha of the home team.
In search of renewed energy, Enzo Maresca made three substitutions at halftime, and within two minutes of the second half, Chelsea took the lead.
Marc Cucurella, positioned high on the left flank, delivered a precise ball into a threatening area for Reece James, who skillfully converted with a low shot into the bottom corner, marking Chelsea's first shot on target.
However, the lead was nearly erased moments later when Viktor Claesson's close-range effort struck the inside of the post, allowing Robert Sanchez to collect the rebound.
Despite this near miss, Chelsea significantly improved after the interval, generating additional opportunities, including a near miss from Cucurella, who headed wide from an offside position, and a dipping shot from Cole Palmer that went off target.
Ultimately, Copenhagen's defense was breached again in the 66th minute, following a turnover in their defensive third, which allowed Tyrique George to set up Enzo Fernandez, who finished with a precise side-footed shot.
A set-piece delivery from Marcos Lopez ten minutes before the end allowed Byens Hold to score, as Sanchez was unable to prevent Gabriel Pereira’s header from finding the net, thereby providing Jacob Neestrup’s team with a glimmer of hope in the contest.
Although the match started slowly, a significantly improved performance in the second half ensured a victory in the first leg, placing Chelsea in a favorable position for the upcoming home match.
Considering the caliber of their opponents, a second home defeat in ten competitive matches is unlikely to be a shock for Copenhagen, who face a challenging task at Stamford Bridge next week.
SportsLigue