Chelsea booked their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals on Thursday, progressing with a 4-2 aggregate win despite a 2-1 defeat at home to Legia Warsaw.
The Blues were handed an early setback when Tomas Pekhart converted a 10th-minute penalty for the visitors. Marc Cucurella equalized from close range in the 33rd minute, but Steve Kapuadi restored Legia’s lead early in the second half with what proved to be the match-winner.
Despite the loss, Chelsea’s convincing 3-0 victory in the first leg in Poland ensured their progression. They’ll now face Sweden’s Djurgardens in the semis, after the Swedish side thrashed 10-man Rapid Vienna 4-1 in extra time.
Legia’s traveling supporters made their presence felt at Stamford Bridge, lighting flares and chanting shirtless in a vocal display from around 1,000 fans. While Chelsea advance, the performance raised fresh concerns for manager Enzo Maresca, with the London side still chasing a top-five Premier League finish.
Chelsea remain among the favorites to lift the Conference League trophy, alongside Roma, West Ham, and Olympiakos.
Elsewhere, Fiorentina battled to a dramatic 2-2 draw with Slovenia’s Celje, edging through 4-3 on aggregate thanks to Moise Kean’s decisive goal. The Italian side will face in-form Spanish club Real Betis in the semis, after Betis secured a 3-1 aggregate win over Poland’s Jagiellonia Bialystok.
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