Chelsea Vs København

Chelsea will host Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge for the decisive second leg of their Conference League last-16 clash, carrying a narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg. The aggregate winners will advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Molde or Legia Warsaw.

The Blues have enjoyed a flawless run in the Conference League this season, winning all six of their League Phase fixtures before securing a hard-fought victory in the Danish capital last week. Goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez ensured they returned to London with an advantage, though head coach Enzo Maresca expressed frustration over the late goal they conceded, which has left the tie finely poised. However, Maresca took solace in his team’s defensive performance in their subsequent Premier League outing, a narrow 1-0 victory over Leicester City, where Marc Cucurella's goal proved decisive. That match also saw Cole Palmer miss a penalty for the first time in his professional career, adding a rare blemish to Chelsea’s otherwise positive momentum.

With three consecutive wins across all competitions, Chelsea have strengthened their bid for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Their recent league victories have propelled them back into the Champions League qualification spots, though their position remains precarious, sitting only two points above Manchester City in fifth place and maintaining a seven-point cushion over Fulham in tenth, with ten games left in the season. Before they face Arsenal on Sunday in their final fixture before the international break, Chelsea will be determined to complete the task against Copenhagen and secure their place in the quarter-finals of a major UEFA tournament for the 15th time in club history.

Stamford Bridge has been a fortress for Chelsea in this season’s Conference League. Including the qualifiers, they have won all four home games in the competition, outscoring opponents 19-3. Additionally, Chelsea have suffered just one home defeat in all competitions since their 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign. That lone defeat came on Boxing Day against Fulham, a narrow 2-1 setback. Otherwise, the Blues have been dominant, amassing 14 victories and four draws at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since August.

On the other hand, Copenhagen face a difficult task, needing to overturn their first-leg deficit to avoid another last-16 exit, having suffered the same fate in the 2021-22 Conference League campaign. Head coach Jacob Neestrup has acknowledged the challenge his team faces, stating that they must "do everything possible to create a little miracle" if they are to eliminate Chelsea from the competition.

Despite the uphill battle, Copenhagen have already demonstrated their resilience in this season’s tournament. In the playoff round, they overturned a one-goal deficit to eliminate Heidenheim with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory, winning the second leg 3-1 in extra time away from home. This comeback has instilled confidence within the squad, as they aim to repeat the feat against a much stronger opponent in Chelsea.

Historically, Copenhagen have proven to be strong on the road in the Conference League. Since the competition’s inception four seasons ago, they have lost just once in 14 away matches (including qualifiers), winning nine and drawing four. Their ability to score goals away from home has been particularly impressive, netting two or more goals in nine of those encounters. This formidable away form will provide them with hope as they travel to London in search of a famous victory.

However, history is not in Copenhagen’s favor. No Danish side has ever beaten Chelsea, with the Blues boasting five wins and two draws in their encounters against teams from Denmark. Moreover, Copenhagen have never managed to secure an away win against an English opponent, with their only two victories over English teams—both against Manchester United—occurring in Denmark. Their overall record against English clubs stands at five draws and 11 defeats in 16 meetings, further underscoring the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

Adding to their concerns, Copenhagen’s recent form in all competitions has been inconsistent. They have won just two of their last seven matches within 90 minutes, struggling to find consistency at a crucial point in the season. Their last two domestic league outings ended in draws, first with a goalless stalemate against AaB and then a 1-1 draw with SonderjyskE. The dropped points against SonderjyskE last weekend proved costly, as they relinquished their spot at the top of the Danish Superliga table to FC Midtjylland.

Despite these challenges, Copenhagen will take inspiration from their previous European exploits and the unpredictability of knockout football. They know that an early goal at Stamford Bridge could significantly alter the momentum of the tie and put pressure on Chelsea. While they face an uphill climb, their strong away record in the competition suggests they are more than capable of causing problems for the hosts.

As for Chelsea, they will look to avoid complacency and take advantage of their home turf to secure qualification in front of their fans. With a crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal looming, Maresca may be tempted to rotate his squad slightly, but he will be mindful of the importance of sealing progression in Europe. The depth of Chelsea’s squad provides him with options, and he will be keen to see a professional performance from his players to ensure there are no unnecessary complications.

In summary, Chelsea hold a slight advantage but must remain vigilant against a Copenhagen side that has shown resilience and the ability to score away from home. The Blues will look to capitalize on their impressive home form to book their place in the quarter-finals, while the visitors will be hoping to produce a historic upset. With a place in the last eight on the line, both teams will be eager to deliver a strong performance in what promises to be an intriguing second leg at Stamford Bridge.