A Rocky Start for Chelsea
Under the dim lights of Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium, Chelsea found themselves in an uncharacteristically tough spot. The Blues, under the interim management of Enzo Maresca, delivered one of their worst first-half performances of the season. Despite the high expectations surrounding the team, they struggled to find their rhythm, and Maresca would have been scratching his head at half-time, contemplating the necessary adjustments to turn the game around. The visitors were outplayed, and the home fans were in full voice, sensing an opportunity to claim a crucial victory.
Maresca’s Tactical Gambit Pays Off
Maresca made some bold changes at the break, and they proved to be the lifeline Chelsea needed. Moving Reece James into the midfield was a stroke of genius. James, who is more accustomed to the right-back position, found himself in a No. 8 role, and it initially seemed like a misstep. However, the decision to shift him into Moises Caicedo’s position after Caicedo’s substitution transformed the match. James’s exceptional passing and ability to start attacks from deep positions made him a focal point for the Blues. His demeanor and leadership in the middle of the park were crucial, and it was his 30-yard daisy-cutter that finally broke the deadlock, catching the Copenhagen goalkeeper off guard and giving Chelsea a much-needed lead.
Mixed Performances from the Young Guns
The young players in the Chelsea lineup delivered a mixed bag of performances. Tyrique George, despite being out of position, showed flashes of brilliance. He was positive on the ball, regularly attempting to beat his man, and displayed good composure and awareness to set up Enzo Fernandez’s goal. However, his overall impact was limited, and he seemed to struggle with the lack of service. Shim Mheuka, making his full debut, became Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in European competition. At just 17, he faced a daunting task and struggled to make the ball stick, but his lack of experience made it hard to fault him too harshly. On the other hand, Cole Palmer and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had a forgettable night. Palmer, once a talisman for the team, appeared lethargic and was ineffective in both attack and defense. Dewsbury-Hall, tasked with a rare start, looked equally out of place, particularly when he was moved to the right flank in the second half.
Defensive Challenges and Substitutions
Defensively, Chelsea faced significant challenges. Trevoh Chalobah, solid in central defense but not quite at home on the right, struggled to provide the necessary support to George. His physical presence and aerial ability were assets, but the lack of familiarity with the position hampered his effectiveness. Tosin Adarabioyo, another central defender playing out of position, had an assured performance but was part of a defense that failed to keep a clean sheet. Copenhagen’s early second-half attack hit the post, and Adarabioyo’s side was frequently targeted. Benoit Badiashile, who battled well and made good use of his physicality, was substituted at half-time, making way for Levi Colwill. Colwill, despite his recent form issues, showed good handling of the ball but was caught ball-watching and lost track of two runners, one of whom, Gabriel Pereira, headed in the equalizer.
Impact from the Bench
The substitutes played a crucial role in Chelsea’s eventual victory. Marc Cucurella, coming on for Malo Gusto, who was forced off injured, was a bundle of energy. Initially frantically closing down every opposing player, he eventually settled into the game and made a key contribution to the first goal. His quick thinking and precise pass set up James’s strike. Enzo Fernandez, replacing Caicedo, scored a clinical finish, opening his foot up and side-footing the ball into the far corner. Fernandez also played a clever ball behind the defense, although Cucurella’s header went wide and was offside. Christopher Nkunku, another impactful substitute, helped to set up the second goal. His harassment of a defender, coupled with Cucurella’s quick play, led to a clever pass for George. Nkunku’s link-up play was generally solid, and he showed why he is a valuable addition to the squad. Jadon Sancho, however, struggled to make an impact, barely getting on the ball, and Chelsea were under pressure for most of his time on the pitch.
A Narrow Escape for Chelsea
In the end, Chelsea’s win felt more like a narrow escape. The team’s first-half performance was a stark reminder of their recent struggles, but Maresca’s halftime adjustments made all the difference. Reece James’s brilliant goal and the contributions from the substitutes, particularly Enzo Fernandez and Christopher Nkunku, were the highlights of the match. While there were positive moments, the overall display was far from convincing, and the Blues will need to improve significantly if they hope to maintain their lead at Stamford Bridge in the return leg. Despite the win, Chelsea’s performance left plenty of questions, and the team will be eagerly looking to address these issues in the coming days.
