Conference League: Chelsea Edge Closer To Quarter-Finals With Victory Over Copenhagen.
Chelsea took a significant step towards the Europa Conference League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Copenhagen in their last-16 first-leg clash in Denmark.
Despite a sluggish first half in which Enzo Maresca’s side failed to register a shot on target, the visitors made an immediate impact after the restart. Substitute Marc Cucurella, on for the injured Malo Gusto, surged down the left and set up captain Reece James, who unleashed a stunning low strike from 30 yards to open the scoring.
Copenhagen came close to an equaliser minutes later when Viktor Claesson’s angled shot struck the inside of the post before rebounding into the grateful hands of Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
The Blues doubled their advantage in the 65th minute, with Cucurella once again involved. He won possession near the left touchline before Christopher Nkunku played in Tyrique George, whose precise cut-back was calmly side-footed into the net by substitute Enzo Fernández.
The Danish side pulled a goal back when Gabriel Pereira powered in a header from Marcos López’s deep free-kick, but Chelsea remain in a strong position ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
The decisive second leg will take place on Thursday, 13 March (20:00 GMT), with the winner set to face either Norwegian side Molde or Poland’s Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals.