Chelsea secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League despite suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Legia Warsaw on Thursday night. The Blues had already built a strong advantage in the first leg, winning 3-0 in Poland, which ultimately proved enough to see them through to the last four with a 4-2 aggregate score. The team will now face Swedish side Djurgarden, who advanced after a thrilling 4-1 extra-time victory over Rapid Vienna.
Although Chelsea’s home defeat was disappointing, especially after an underwhelming performance at Stamford Bridge, they managed to hold on to their aggregate lead and stay on course for a European semi-final spot. The defeat highlighted the Blues’ ongoing struggles in attack, but they will be relieved that their commanding first-leg victory carried them through to the next stage of the competition.
The match began poorly for Chelsea, as Legia Warsaw took the lead in the 10th minute through a Tomas Pekhart penalty. Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who started ahead of Robert Sanchez, was at fault for the goal. Jorgensen brought down Pekhart inside the box, giving the Polish side the chance to open the scoring from the spot. Despite diving the right way, Jorgensen allowed Pekhart’s penalty to slip through his hands and into the net, much to the delight of the 1,021 Legia fans in the away end.
The early setback left the home crowd stunned, but Chelsea responded well with an equalizer just before the half-hour mark. Jadon Sancho, who had been instrumental in setting up Noni Madueke’s goals in the first leg, once again turned provider. His low cross found Marc Cucurella, who finished from close range to make it 1-1. The Spanish left-back’s goal temporarily silenced the Legia supporters, but the momentum was short-lived.
Before halftime, Cucurella thought he had scored again, but his effort was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR). Chelsea had their moments, but they were unable to fully capitalize on their chances.
The second half brought more frustration for Chelsea. Despite having the advantage in the tie, they struggled to find rhythm and failed to build on their equalizer. Legia restored their lead in the 53rd minute through a header from French defender Steve Kapuadi. The close-range goal came from a well-executed corner, and it handed the visitors a 2-1 lead on the night, further complicating Chelsea’s hopes of advancing with ease.
Chelsea pushed for another goal, but their attack remained ineffective. Substitute Noni Madueke came close to finding the net, as did Tyrique George, but both efforts were either off target or ruled out for offside. The Blues’ inability to convert chances was a familiar story throughout the match.
As the final whistle approached, Chelsea’s frustration grew. Their attack had looked toothless, and their defensive errors only added to the disappointment. Fans at Stamford Bridge once again voiced their dissatisfaction, booing the team off the pitch after another subpar performance.
Chelsea’s attacking woes were evident throughout the match. Despite a strong start to the season, the Blues have struggled to find the back of the net consistently. This match was no different, as their forward line failed to deliver when it mattered most.
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Sancho, and Christopher Nkunku all started in attack, but none of them were able to spark Chelsea’s offense. Palmer’s goal drought continued, extending to 15 matches without a goal. Jackson, who was taken off at halftime, has now gone 12 matches without finding the net. Meanwhile, French striker Nkunku has failed to score in his last eight appearances.
In fact, Marc Cucurella, usually a defensive player, is now Chelsea’s top scorer in recent months with six goals since December. This speaks volumes about Chelsea’s lack of attacking depth and their struggles to get goals from their forwards.
Chelsea’s problems were not limited to the attacking end. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen’s performance raised further concerns. He was responsible for the penalty that gave Legia the early lead, and his overall display did little to inspire confidence in the Chelsea defense. Jorgensen conceded two goals from just five shots on target, and with both of Chelsea’s goalkeepers failing to impress this season, manager Enzo Maresca will have plenty to think about regarding the club’s goalkeeper situation heading into the summer transfer window.
With the team’s defense not fully convincing and their attack faltering, Chelsea’s overall performance in this tie raised serious questions about the squad’s ability to compete for major silverware. While they managed to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, the poor display against Legia Warsaw was a reminder of the challenges the club continues to face this season.
Despite the disappointment at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s European journey is far from over. The club will now face Djurgarden, who secured their spot in the semi-finals after a dramatic extra-time win over Rapid Vienna. The Swedish side’s 4-1 victory on the night sealed a 4-2 aggregate win, and they will pose a tough challenge for Chelsea when the two teams meet in the next round.
The Europa Conference League offers Chelsea a chance to secure a European title and a place in next season’s Europa League, but they will need to significantly improve if they are to go all the way. With the Premier League also a key focus, Chelsea must find a way to address their attacking issues, particularly with the summer transfer window looming.
The Blues are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot through their domestic league performance, where they are fighting to finish in the top five. However, with the team’s current form, it remains to be seen if they can put together a consistent run of results to secure a place in Europe’s top competition for next season.
