Chelsea face an exceedingly simple task in hopefully reaching the UEFA Conference League semifinals, having simply to see off Legia Warsaw with a 3-0 lead from last week’s first leg in the quarterfinals. This should be (“should be”) little more than a formality, even with all the hubbub about Enzo Maresca and his decision to pick a direct fight with the fanbase about the team’s style of football.

That said, with a solid and mayhaps even entertaining win, this game could serve to revitalize the home vibes a bit, which sure could be useful the rest of the way as we try to somehow get our act together and finish in the top-five, and also live up to the most basic expectations by winning this silly little competition.

Date / Time: Thursday, April 17, 2025, 20.00 BST; 3pm EDT; 12:30am IST (next day)

Venue: Stamford Bridge, SW6

Referee: Alejandro Hernández (on pitch); Guillermo Cuadra (VAR)

Forecast: Fairly warm, cooling off late

On TV: TNT Sports (UK); none (USA); none (India); SuperSport MaXimo 2 (NGA); elsewhere

Streaming: discovery+ (UK); Paramount+ (USA); Sony LIV (India); DStv Now (NGA)

Chelsea team news: Several youngsters got chances to play last week, with Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George especially impressing, and we can probably expect similarly in this one. A couple even fresher faces like Landon Emenalo (son of former sporting director Michael Emenalo) and young goalkeeper Jack Austin have been spotted in training as well.

Roméo Lavia was another welcome sight during preparations, though he’s ineligible for this competition. Marc Guiu and Wesley Fofana remain out, the latter for the season.

There’s always a danger of complacency in such games, so hopefully we can avoid any such drama with the right approach, the right attitudes, and the right team selection.

“We try to always prioritise the next match. The next match is tomorrow night and that for us is an important game because it gives us the chance to reach a semi-final of a European competition. That is the first one. So hopefully, we can reach the semi-final, and then focus on Sunday.”

-Enzo Maresca; source: Chelsea FC

Legia Warsaw team news: Legia sat back and turtled in an ultra-defensive shape all game long last week, and still got beat 3-0 eventually. This time, they are looking to come to play, apparently.

“We want to create chances. We will take it step-by-step, but it is better to stand up to Chelsea and play better when we have the ball. Tomorrow we want to write Legia history.”

-Gonçalo Feio, head coach; source: UEFA

While they do welcome back the two defenders who were suspended last week, Artur Jędrzejczyk and Jan Ziółkowski, they remain without two key attacking players in striker Marc Gual and winger Bartosz Kapustka.

Over the weekend, they lost again at home, this time to fellow Conference League quarterfinalists Jagiellonia Białystok, 1-0.

Previously: A lackluster first half gave way to an enterprising and entertaining second, which saw Noni Madueke grab a brace and Tyrique George score his first senior professional goal.