Chelsea FC faced FC Copenhagen on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Parken Stadium, achieving a hard-fought 2-1 victory to take back to Stamford Bridge for the second leg of their UEFA Conference League Round of 16 tie.
A fervent crowd welcomed both teams, as Chelsea looked for their first away win since mid-December. That previous victory came against Astana, but with Copenhagen being resilient European opponents, the match promised to be challenging.
The first half, unfortunately for Chelsea fans, proved to be devoid of action as the Blues struggled to break through the organized defense of Copenhagen, recording zero shots on target. The Danes kept all eleven players behind the ball, making it tough for Chelsea to make any headway.
Things changed dramatically just seconds after the start of the second half. Chelsea captain Reece James struck with a superb shot from the edge of the box, marking the Blues' first attempt on target and putting them 1-0 up. A perfectly timed assist from Marc Cucurella set up the goal, allowing James to bury his low strike decisively.
Despite the breakthrough, Chelsea's lead almost evaporated moments later when Victor Claesson's close-range shot hit the inside of the post, bouncing back to keeper Robert Sánchez, clinging to the lead by the fingertips.
Enzo Maresca's side continued to improve as the half progressed, and their efforts paid off. After Copenhagen turned over possession deep inside their own half, Tyrique George cut back for Enzo Fernandez, who slotted home to double the lead to 2-0 with 25 minutes left on the clock.
Copenhagen, striving to seize momentum, found the net when Gabriel Pereira scored with ten minutes remaining from a header after poorly defended set-piece. Although they deserved more for their spirited performance, the late goal was not enough, leaving the final score at 2-1.
This win marks Chelsea's seventh consecutive victory in European competitions, setting a new club record. They have demonstrated their ability to progress against formidable opponents, but this match highlighted their need for improvement, particularly against teams employing defensive tactics.
Looking at the team selection, Maresca made significant changes from the side which faced Southampton, opting for eight changes, including debutant 17-year-old Shim Mheuka at striker. With several key players still absent, including Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke due to injuries, young talents such as Cole Palmer and Tyrique George stepped up to fill the gaps.
Copenhagen entered the match sitting atop the Danish SuperLiga and came off of solid performances. With Mohamed Elyounoussi leading the Danish side, they posed threats with his 9 goals and 6 assists across competitions. Amin Chiakha was also notable, being the top scorer for them with 4 goals from the UECL group. Despite these attacking weapons, Copenhagen could not fully capitalize on their home advantage.
Chelsea will look to solidify their lead when they host Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge on March 13, 2025, for the second leg. Following this, they will face Leicester City at home on March 9, 2025. The next few matches could define Chelsea's campaign, not only within the Conference League but also as they continue pushing for success domestically.
Despite the nerves and missed opportunities, Chelsea emerged victorious with Reece James and Enzo Fernandez securing the goals and ensuring they don't return to London empty-handed. The Champions League experience of the Chelsea squad will take them far, but they cannot understate any of their upcoming opponents if they want to advance deep within these competitions.