Chelsea managed to secure their spot in the Uefa Conference League group phase despite facing a tough challenge in the second leg of their play-off match against Servette. The Blues, who were 2-0 ahead from the first leg, initially seemed in control when Christopher Nkunku scored a penalty in the 14th minute after Mykhailo Mudryk was fouled by Keigo Tsunemoto.
However, Servette quickly turned the tide when Jeremy Guillemenot scored just after the half-hour mark, assisted by Dereck Kutesa. The Swiss side continued to put pressure on Chelsea and eventually took the lead on the night with a header from Enzo Crivelli off Miroslav Stevanovic’s cross.
Despite the setback, Chelsea had opportunities of their own with Nicolas Jackson having a goal disallowed and Cole Palmer hitting the bar with his shot. The Blues also had a nervous moment when Timothe Cognat came close to levelling the tie with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target.
In the end, Chelsea held on to their aggregate lead and secured their spot in the group phase. Managerial substitutions were made during the match, with players like Fernandez, Madueke, Mudryk, and Guiu being replaced by Caicedo, George, Palmer, and Jackson respectively.
Overall, it was a hard-fought victory for Chelsea, showcasing their resilience and determination to advance in the competition. The team will now look ahead to the group phase with confidence, knowing that they can overcome challenges and come out on top.
