Last Thursday night’s match in the Europa Conference League was quite the rollercoaster. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Servette, but their 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg secured their spot in the next round. It was a night filled with drama and tension, and I couldn’t help but feel a mix of relief and concern as I watched the game unfold.
The match was far from straightforward for Chelsea. Servette, determined to make a comeback, pushed hard until the very end. I was on the edge of my seat as Timothé Cognat’s late shot narrowly missed the goal. If that shot had found the back of the net, it could have turned the game upside down, potentially dragging Chelsea into extra time.
From the start, Chelsea looked in control. Christopher Nkunku’s early penalty seemed to put them in a comfortable position with a 3-0 aggregate lead. But, as the game progressed, Chelsea’s performance became increasingly shaky. It was almost as if their earlier confidence had evaporated, leading to a lackluster display that allowed Servette to pull back two goals.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, expressed concern about the game before it even began. He was wary of the pitch conditions and how they might affect his team’s performance. His apprehension was understandable, given that Chelsea had struggled to maintain their lead and defend effectively. The issues on the pitch were apparent, with Chelsea’s defenders caught out of position and their midfield looking sluggish at times.
Maresca’s decision to rotate his squad, making eight changes from the previous match, had mixed results. While Mykhailo Mudryk showed some promise, earning a penalty and creating chances, his overall performance was inconsistent. This inconsistency mirrored the team’s broader struggles, as Chelsea found it hard to keep their shape and control the game.
The defense, particularly, was under scrutiny. After Servette equalized, the Chelsea backline seemed increasingly vulnerable. The second Servette goal, scored by Enzo Crivelli, was a result of poor defending, with the ball finding its way past a suspect Jörgensen at the near post.
Despite Chelsea’s attempts to regain their composure, including efforts from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, they couldn’t fully rectify their performance. The game’s final minutes were tense, with Chelsea fans undoubtedly holding their breath.
In the end, Chelsea’s progression to the group stages of the Europa Conference League was secured, but it wasn’t without its concerns. The team will need to address their defensive weaknesses and improve their overall consistency as they move forward in the competition.
