Chelsea limp through to Conference League semi-finals

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea qualified for the UEFA Conference League last four despite a 2-1 loss at home to Legia Warsaw on Thursday night.

Boos rang out around Stamford Bridge at full-time after a lacklustre display against the Polish side.

Coming into the match with a 3-0 lead courtesy of their first-leg performance, Chelsea fans still would have expected more from their players in a European quarter-final.

Legia Warsaw took little time in taking the lead but their 10th minute penalty was cancelled out by Marc Cucurella just after the half hour mark.

With the scores level and plenty of time left to play in the game, many would have expected Chelsea to assert their dominance.

But the Blues struggled to hit top gear with a Steve Kapuadi strike condemning Maresca's side to a 2-1 loss.

Despite defeat, the Argentine boss was keen to stress that there were positives to come from the game.

He said: "Overall, the good thing is we can rotate players, we don't have injuries, and that was the main target because during the season we have had many injuries in important moments."

Crucial run-in for Chelsea

Whilst the mood around Stamford Bridge might not be at an all-time high, Chelsea do still have several avenues into Europe next season.

UEFA Conference League victory would see them qualify for next season's Europa League and a top five finish in the Premier League would cement the return of UEFA Champions League football.

Any notion of complacency will have to be banished if Chelsea are to play amongst Europe's elite in 2025/26 however.

One point is the gap to Manchester City in fifth but with games against Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest still to come, Maresca will need his side to be firing on all cylinders.

The UEFA Conference League journey continues on May 1 when Chelsea travel to Sweden to take on Djurgården.

Should they advance, either Real Betis or Fiorentina await in the final.

William Dobbie

• Chelsea F.C.
• Conference League
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