Servette 2-1 Chelsea: Blues Qualify for Conference League Despite Loss

Chelsea advanced to the Europa Conference League group stage after losing the second leg of their qualifying play-off against Servette in Switzerland.

Christopher Nkunku scored a penalty after Keigo Tsunemoto fouled Mykhailo Mudryk in the 14th minute to double Enzo Maresca's team's lead from the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week.

After receiving a ball from Dereck Kutesa, Jeremy Guillemenot drew Servette in for a first-time shot that beat Filip Jorgensen.

The Swiss took the lead in the game thanks to two changes for Servette and a goal by Enzo Crivelli, who headed in a cross from Miroslav Stevanovic on the left flank.

Chelsea prevailed 3-2 on aggregate, although the home team could not score a goal to force overtime.

Chelsea survives the scare to get the job done.

Enzo Fernandez almost extended Chelsea's lead with a beautiful 25-yard effort, but Joel Mall turned it over in the game's first three minutes. Maresca had previously said he was apprehensive about complacency, even if his team had a two-goal edge.

On the other hand, Guillemenot scored Servette's severe first opportunity in the 32nd minute to make it 1-1 on the night. Nkunku had already struck from the penalty spot in the first leg to have sealed the deal for the Swiss.

Kutesa sprinted through on a low-quality pitch and could have scored another goal for the home team, but Jorgensen made a diving save.

Earlier on Thursday, after netting a triple trick in Chelsea's 6-2 victory against Wolves at the weekend, winger Noni Madueke received his first call-up to the England team, continuing his stellar start to the season.

He scored the second goal for the Blues in the first leg. Early in the second half in Geneva, he seemed to have a fantastic opportunity, but superb defense saved him.

An exciting conclusion resulted from Crivelli's header, with Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea having a goal disallowed for offside and Cole Palmer striking the crossbar.

Timothe Cognat missed the target in the fourth minute of extra time, allowing Servette to tie the game at three goals each.

Qualification vital to give fringe players game time

Chelsea are making their debut in Europe's third-tier event after winning the Champions League in 2021. Manager Mauricio Pochettino lost his position due to the team's poor performance last season, resulting in a sixth-place Premier League finish.

With just one day remaining in the transfer window, Maresca has signed ten players since Pochettino's departure, further adding to the Blues' already bloated roster. Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell—none of the English players who might depart on Friday—were in the group that played in Switzerland.

Keeping the rest of his team happy is a problem in and of itself, but this Conference League advancement guarantees that Maresca will have at least six more games to start bench players.

The Conference League league phase draw will take place this Friday at 13:30 BST at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Similar to the Champions League and Europa League, a single league will have 36 clubs. The top eight will advance to the round of 16, while the teams ranked ninth through twenty-four will participate in the play-offs for the knockout round.

The Conference League is somewhat different from the Champions League and Europa League in that each club plays six opponents, three at home and three away, instead of eight. This contrasts the other two leagues, where each team plays eight different teams once and plays four home and four away.

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