Chelsea can wobble in the Europa Conference League and still win with something approaching comfort. They were below par for much of the first leg of this last-16 tie but still took a decisive step towards the quarter-finals after seeing off a spirited challenge from FC Copenhagen with goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernández.
Enzo Maresca will still see room for improvement. Chelsea were underwhelming before Maresca introduced a few stars at half-time and they still have work to do after Copenhagen brought the score back to 2-1 during the closing stages.
Although this competition has assumed greater significance for Chelsea after a poor run in the league and a premature exit from the FA Cup, Maresca was still in a gambling mood judging by his decision to rotate heavily and upset the balance of his underpowered team by cramming a few square pegs in round holes.
Complacency was the obvious danger. There was unease when supporters saw Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on the left wing, the right-footed Malo Gusto at left-back and a host of big hitters on the bench. Maresca could argue that he was resting weary limbs for tougher assignments, but Chelsea did not convince at all during a tepid first half.
It was sterile domination in the purest sense, the idea seemingly to hoard possession simply for the sake of it. Cole Palmer aside, nobody took any risks. It was too safe from Chelsea, so much so that they even failed to advance into a threatening position when the Copenhagen striker Amin Chiaka spent a while tying his bootlaces while play went on around him.
Not that the lack of threat came as a huge surprise given that Palmer was short of targets to hit in attack. Dewsbury-Hall made no impact Tyrique George was quiet on the right and it was hard not to wonder if this was the right moment for Maresca to hand a full debut to Shim Mheuka. The striker, Chelsea’s youngest ever starter in a major European game at the age of 17 years and 137 days, could not complain about being substituted at half-time.
Maresca, who had to bring on Marc Cucurella when Gusto limped off early on, needed a reaction. Copenhagen, who were said to be more focused on winning the Danish Superliga, were causing problems despite weakening their attacking options by omitting Mohammed Elyounoussi. They repeatedly pulled Trevoh Chalobah out of position at right-back and went close when Elias Achouri tested Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea’s response was limited to Palmer, who has been drafted into the squad for the knockout phase after sitting out the league phase, looping a volley just wide. Sensing danger, Maresca adjusted during the interval. Christopher Nkunku replaced Mheuka, Fernández came on for Moisés Caicedo, Benoît Badiashile made way for Levi Colwill and George was redeployed as a false 9.
Enzo Fernández slots in Chelsea’s second goal. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters
The improvement was instant. Cucurella drove down the left a minute into the second half and got lucky when his rushed cutback found a teammate. James, enjoying himself in his new turn as a central midfielder, ran on to the ball and sent a low effort skimming beyond Diant Ramaj from 25 yards.
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The replays suggested that the goalkeeper’s reflexes could have been sharper. He was beaten by accuracy rather than venom and Copenhagen were no less ineffective at the other end. Viktor Claesson should have equalised when he skipped beyond Chalobah but Chelsea escaped when the Swede’s shot hit the inside of the far post.
Class told. Chelsea grew more menacing, Palmer almost scoring a stunner from long range, and they soon doubled their lead. Cucurella was involved again, pressing high to win possession, and Copenhagen were in trouble when Nkunku sent George through. The 19-year-old had a second assist in as many games when he teed up Fernández to guide a lovely shot past Ramaj.
The tie should have been over. It is with some justification, though, that Maresca keeps saying that his young team’s concentration levels must improve. Chelsea have a habit of dozing off and they gave Copenhagen hope when poor defending from Colwill allowed Gabriel Pereira to head in a powerful free-kick.
Copenhagen were pressing hard for an equaliser at the end. The temperature rose but Chelsea dug in and will expect to press home their advantage at Stamford Bridge next week.
