Chelsea extended their perfect Conference League record as they defeated Copenhagen 2-1 on Thursday night, giving the Blues the advantage heading into next week's second leg.
There was little to report on in the first 45 minutes, as both teams looked tidy in possession but failed to offer any significant attacking threat, with each side being limited to a couple of half chances, meaning the game remained goalless heading into the break.
The second half instantly offered more action, bursting into life as Chelsea's captain Reece James spectacularly opened the scoring less than a minute after the restart, and Copenhagen nearly responded immediately, as, just four minutes later, Viktor Claesson struck the post.
The game continued to see chances for both sides, and it would be Chelsea who found the net next, this time capitalizing on a defensive mix-up and setting up Enzo Fernandez to double their lead, but it did not take long for Copenhagen to strike back as Gabriel Pereira headed into the top corner with just over 10 minutes to play.
Copenhagen pushed for the equaliser in the closing minutes of the match, but the visitors were able to deny them any meaningful chances, taking the sting out of the game by holding possession until the final whistle eventually went to confirm Chelsea's victory.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Chelsea produced an extremely underwhelming performance tonight, failing to register a shot on target in the entirety of the first half, only scraping the victory as they scored both of their eventual shots at goal.
While they were disappointing in the attacking third, they were similarly poor in defensive positions, with Copenhagen having numerous opportunities to find the back of the net, including striking the post and wasting several other chances.
Despite the performance, Enzo Maresca will be pleased that his side were able to secure the victory, giving the Blues the upper hand as they return to Stamford Bridge for next week's second leg.
COPENHAGEN VS. CHELSEA HIGHLIGHTS
Reece James goal vs. Copenhagen (46th min, Copenhagen 0-1 Chelsea)
Reece James strikes from range to open the scoring for Chelsea at the Parken Stadium 🎯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5HQsLhrTzs
Chelsea have the lead! James scores with their first shot on target!
Christopher Nkunku appears to be fouled on the left side, but the referee brilliantly plays the advantage as Marc Cucurella charges onto the loose ball and drives down the line.
The ball is cut back to just outside the area, and James walks onto the ball and fires a low, driven shot into the bottom left corner, a superb finish from the captain.
Enzo Fernandez goal vs. Copenhagen (65th min, Copenhagen 0-2 Chelsea)
Enzo Fernández doubles Chelsea's lead 💪
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
A mix up at the back from Copenhagen's defence and Chelsea make them pay 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9l3jaUwXxQ
Fernandez has scored! Chelsea double their lead!
Giorgi Gocholeishvili loses the ball deep inside the Copenhagen half, and Chelsea quickly move the ball into the box with Tyrique George.
George drives into the area and pulls the ball back for Fernandez, and the Argentinian fires across goal and into the top right corner to score Chelsea's second.
Gabriel Pereira goal vs. Copenhagen (80th min, Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea)
GAME ON 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 6, 2025
Gabriel Pereira thumping header flies past Sánchez to get Copenhagen back into the game 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/l7kIA629Vk
Copenhagen are back in the game! Pereira powers a header into the net!
A Copenhagen free-kick is delivered deep into the Chelsea box and finds the head of Pereira near the back post, where the defender has been left unmarked.
Pereira meets the ball with a powerful header, firing his effort into the top right corner to pull one back for the hosts.
MAN OF THE MATCH - REECE JAMES
Skipper!!! 😍#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/iu4KQmeRNi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 6, 2025
Neither of the two sides were particularly impressive tonight, leaving very few feasible options to award the man of the match, but Reece James was the standout choice.
The Chelsea captain featured in a midfield role for the Blues, and James was able to help dictate the tempo of play and show both attacking threat and defensive solidity.
James not only scored a wonderful long range strike to open the scoring, but also made one interception, one tackle and won three duels during the 90 minutes - marking a solid all-round performance.
COPENHAGEN VS. CHELSEA MATCH STATS
Possession: Copenhagen 38%-62% Chelsea
Shots: Copenhagen 5-5 Chelsea
Shots on target: Copenhagen 2-2 Chelsea
Corners: Copenhagen 1-0 Chelsea
Fouls: Copenhagen 10-5 Chelsea
BEST STATS
1 - At 17 years 137 days, Shumaira Mheuka is the youngest player to start for Chelsea in major European competition, surpassing Joel Kitamirike (17yrs 196d) against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup in October 2001. Cub. pic.twitter.com/aTj2u0hFWy
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 6, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Copenhagen will briefly return to league action, taking on SonderjyskE in the Danish Superliga, before travelling to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the second leg.
As for Chelsea, they will aim to get their Champions League pursuit back on track when they face Leicester in the Premier League, followed by hosting Copenhagen next Thursday.
Ellis Stevens
