Chelsea Secure Conference League Quarter-Final Spot
Chelsea Secure Conference League Quarter-Final Spot
Chelsea Progress After Hard-Fought Victory
The first leg in Denmark ended with Chelsea securing a 2-1 victory, giving them a narrow advantage coming into the return fixture
Chelsea booked their place in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals after securing a 1-0 win against FC Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge, completing a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
The decisive goal came in the second half from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, helping the Blues extend their winning streak to four games in all competitions.
Despite a slow start, the London side managed to assert control in the second half and seal the tie without major defensive concerns.
First Half Struggles for Chelsea
The match began with Chelsea showing early energy, but after the first 10-12 minutes, their momentum faded.
The home side struggled to create chances, and astonishingly, they failed to register a single shot in the entire first half.
FC Copenhagen, despite their need for goals, also found it difficult to break down Chelsea’s defense.
Chelsea’s xG (expected goals) for the first half stood at a staggering 0.0, highlighting their lack of offensive creativity.
The midfield struggled to link up with the attacking line, and despite dominating possession, the Blues lacked penetration in the final third.
Into the next round! ✊#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/wBDbDPnhP2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2025
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
Enzo Maresca responded to the team’s lacklustre performance by making key changes at halftime. Marc Cucurella and Cole Palmer were introduced, adding more attacking intent.
The breakthrough arrived in the 55th minute when Dewsbury-Hall capitalised on a high press, dribbled past defenders, and finished clinically to score the only goal of the match.
With a two-goal cushion on aggregate, Chelsea played with greater confidence.
They created more opportunities in the second half, registering 11 shots, but were unable to add a second goal.
Copenhagen pushed forward in the closing stages but could not find a way past Chelsea’s resilient defense.
Key Player Performances
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – The standout performer, scoring the decisive goal with a brilliant solo effort.
Moises Caicedo – Strong presence in midfield, breaking up opposition attacks and maintaining possession.
Cole Palmer – Provided a much-needed spark after coming on at halftime, although he remains without a goal or assist in 10 consecutive games.
Genesis Antwi – The youngster made his first-team debut, coming off the bench in stoppage time.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s quarter-final opponents will be either Legia Warsaw or Molde, who went into extra time after a dramatic 3-3 draw on aggregate. The next round of the competition will take place on April 10 and 17.
Before that, Chelsea turn their focus to domestic action, with a crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Following that, the team will enter a two-week international break before resuming their European campaign.
