Chelsea are in a strong position to reach the Conference League quarter-finals after securing a 2-1 win over Copenhagen at Parken Stadium on Thursday night.
Despite the Blues taking a 2-0 lead, Copenhagen’s late goal keeps them alive in the tie, though Chelsea still hold the advantage ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
The game started slowly, with a goalless first half. However, Reece James gave Chelsea the lead almost immediately after the restart with a low strike from outside the box that found the bottom corner.
Midway through the second half, Enzo Fernandez doubled Chelsea’s advantage by converting a cross from Tyrique George into the box. Gabriel Pereira’s late header for Copenhagen made the score 2-1, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome for the Danish side.
Player ratings for Copenhagen saw Gabriel Pereira stand out with a solid 7.5 rating for his goal, while for Chelsea, Reece James was named Player of the Match with an impressive 8.3 rating.
Copenhagen’s Player Ratings:
- Diant Ramaj (GK): 5.2/10
- Giorgi Gocholeishvili (RB): 5.0/10
- Gabriel Pereira (CB): 7.5/10
- Kevin Diks (CB): 5.9/10
- Pantelis Hatzidiakos (CB): 6.3/10
- Birger Meling (LB): 6.0/10
- Viktor Claesson (RM, captain): 6.7/10
- William Clem (CM): 6.4/10
- Victor Froholdt (CM): 6.7/10
- Elias Achouri (LM): 5.8/10
- Amin Chiakha (ST): 6.0/10
Substitutes:
- Magnus Mattson (65′ for Claesson): 5.9/10
- Robert (65′ for Achouri): 6.2/10
- Rodrigo Huescas (70′ for Gocholeishvili): 6.1/10
- Marcos Lopez (70′ for Meling): 6.9/10
- Munashe Garananga (79′ for Diks): 6.1/10
Chelsea’s Player Ratings:
- Robert Sanchez (GK): 6.4/10
- Trevoh Chalobah (RB): 7.1/10
- Tosin Adarabioyo (CB): 7.6/10
- Benoit Badiashile (CB): 6.8/10
- Malo Gusto (LB): 6.5/10
- Moises Caicedo (CM): 7.0/10
- Reece James (CM, captain): 8.3/10
- Tyrique George (RM): 7.5/10
- Cole Palmer (AM): 6.9/10
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (LW): 7.2/10
- Shumaira Mhueka (ST): 6.0/10
Substitutes:
- Marc Cucurella (25′ for Gusto): 7.8/10
- Levi Colwill (46′ for Badiashile): 6.5/10
- Enzo Fernandez (46′ for Caicedo): 7.6/10
- Christopher Nkunku (46′ for Mhueka): 6.3/10
- Jacon Sancho (72′ for Palmer): 6.3/10
Player of the Match: Reece James (8.3/10)
