On March 6, 2025, UEFA Conference League action resumed with Chelsea FC taking on Copenhagen at the iconic Parken Stadium. This clash marked the first leg of the Round of 16, setting the stage for one of the tournament's most anticipated encounters. The stakes were high, with the strong Chelsea squad aiming to assert their dominance, and Copenhagen, fresh off their previous exploits, desperately seeking to make their mark.
Chelsea, having breezed through the league phase with six wins from six matches, entered the match as favorites, full of confidence after their 4-0 Premier League triumph over Southampton. Yet, there was caution, as the team's away form had been less convincing, with four consecutive losses on the road across all competitions. The last victory outside of London was against Astana back in December, underscoring the importance of this tie.
The match kicked off at 6:45 p.m. local time, showcasing the hunger both teams had for success. Chelsea’s lineup featured several key players, including Reece James and Enzo Fernandez, who had taken center stage throughout the competition. On the other hand, Copenhagen had overcome hurdles to reach this point, managing to beat German side Heidenheim after extra time, securing their place with aggregate points.
Initially, the game struggled to ignite, with neither side managing to exert significant control. Chelsea failed to register any shots on target during the first half, leaving their fans anxious. The best chance of the half fell to Copenhagen when Elias Achouri’s low shot was saved easily by Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Then, just one minute after the half-time whistle blew, Chelsea came alive. Marc Cucurella, having replaced the injured Malo Gusto, made his presence felt with deft play on the left flank and delivered the ball back to Reece James, who struck beautifully from 30 yards out. The goal marked the turning point for Chelsea, putting them on the front foot and bringing added excitement to the match.
Just moments later, chaos struck for Copenhagen as they nearly equalized but found themselves denied by sheer luck when Viktor Claesson’s one-on-one effort ricocheted off the post, falling neatly back to Sanchez’s arms. It was the spark they needed, but the Blues maintained their lead with defensive resilience and quick counter-play.
Enzo Fernandez, who has been impressive this season, sealed Chelsea's advantage with ease, scoring their second goal after receiving perfect support from substitute Tyrique George. The intensity of the game made Chelsea look unstoppable until the latter stages, when Gabriel Pereira of Copenhagen halved the deficit with 11 minutes left on the clock, heading home from a deep free-kick, courtesy of Marcos Lopez's delivery. This late effort fueled hope for the Danish side but could not overshadow Chelsea’s newfound control.
The final score of 2-1 still favored the English side, granting them significant leverage heading back to Stamford Bridge for the second leg scheduled on March 13. Chelsea is now poised to capitalise on their lead, needing only to draw at home to confirm their advancement to the quarterfinals.
During the match, Chelsea faced off against several notable teams playing simultaneously, such as Fiorentina, who faced Panathinaikos and saw themselves enveloped in their own five-goal thriller. Meanwhile, Molde withdrew triumphant over Legia Warsaw, also securing a narrow yet satisfactory win, highlighting the dynamic competitiveness of this year's tournament.
Leaning back to Chelsea, their earlier exploits this season showed promising depth with youth players stepping up. Notably, Shumaira Mheuka, the youngest player at just 17, became the youngest to start for Chelsea in major European competition.
Looking forward, Chelsea has reaffirmed their aspirations of lifting the Conference League trophy after their Champions League win just four years prior. Success would secure them at least a place in next season's Europa League, and they remain hungry to re-establish their prominence on both the domestic and continental stages.
While fans at Parken Stadium were hopeful, the Saturday's return leg at Stamford Bridge will determine the course for both teams' ambitions. The Blues, bolstered by their historic victories as they lead aspirations against past European efforts, are on track but face competitive spirits rising from Copenhagen who refuse to back down easily.
With the second leg looming, all eyes are set on Stamford Bridge where the next chapter of this enthralling continental battle between Chelsea and Copenhagen will ensue.