Chelsea fans were left biting their nails as the Blues narrowly avoided a humiliating exit from the UEFA Conference League at the hands of Swiss side Servette. Despite heading into the second leg with a 2-0 lead from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea were handed a 2-1 defeat in Geneva, scraping through to the group stage by the skin of their teeth, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
The Illusory Nature of Deadline Day Matches
Games played within the final hours of the transfer window often feel disconnected from reality. This UEFA Conference League playoff was no different, almost as if it existed in a parallel universe where football takes a backseat to the chaos of last-minute signings and Fabrizio Romano’s incessant updates. For Chelsea, however, this match was anything but an afterthought.
Chelsea began the game with the confidence you’d expect from a team with a two-goal cushion. Enzo Maresca’s side took the lead within the first 15 minutes, with Mykhailo Mudryk winning a penalty after a clumsy challenge from the Servette defense. Christopher Nkunku, calm as ever, slotted home from the spot, putting the tie seemingly beyond doubt.
Servette’s Spirited Fightback
However, the Swiss side had other plans. Servette, clearly unfazed by the early setback, began to assert themselves in the game. Just after the half-hour mark, Dereck Kutesa made a surging run through Chelsea’s midfield and found Jeremy Guillemenot, who drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, igniting hope of a miraculous comeback among the home fans.
Chelsea, seemingly in control, began to show signs of the old familiar issues—missed chances and lapses in concentration. The team that had comfortably beaten Servette at home now looked vulnerable. And Servette capitalized. With just 20 minutes left on the clock, Miroslav Stevanovic delivered a pinpoint cross, and Enzo Crivelli headed home, bringing the aggregate score to 3-2.
Late Drama and a Nervous Finish
The final minutes were pure chaos. Nicolas Jackson thought he had leveled the score on the night, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check. Moments later, Cole Palmer struck the crossbar with a powerful shot, leaving Chelsea fans in disbelief.
In the dying moments of the game, Timothe Cognat almost sent the tie into extra time, curling a shot just past the post. Servette were inches away from forcing Chelsea into an additional 30 minutes of tension and possibly, an embarrassing exit. The final whistle brought relief for Chelsea but raised serious questions about the team’s ability to close out games.
Enzo Maresca’s Frustration
After the match, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back his frustration. “We had the game under control after the penalty, but we let them back into it. We’ve seen this too often—a lack of concentration and failure to put the game to bed. It’s something we need to address quickly if we want to compete at a higher level.”
Maresca’s concerns are valid. While Chelsea managed to avoid a disastrous exit, the performance was far from convincing. The team’s inability to maintain focus and capitalize on their dominance nearly cost them dearly.
FAQs
The match ended with Servette winning 2-1, but Chelsea advanced to the group stage on a 3-2 aggregate.
Christopher Nkunku scored for Chelsea via a penalty, while Jeremy Guillemenot and Enzo Crivelli scored for Servette.
Jackson’s goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Maresca expressed frustration with the team’s failure to close out the game and emphasized the need to address defensive lapses and missed chances.
Chelsea will advance to the UEFA Conference League group stage, but the performance against Servette raises concerns that need addressing before facing tougher opposition.
Conclusion: A Warning Sign for Chelsea
Chelsea may have secured their place in the UEFA Conference League group stage, but this match should serve as a wake-up call. The Blues must address their defensive frailties and inconsistent finishing if they want to progress further in the competition and avoid similar scares in the future. As the transfer window closes and the season progresses, Enzo Maresca will need to find solutions to these recurring issues, or Chelsea could face more nerve-wracking nights like this one.
