Chelsea’s journey in the Europa Conference League nearly took a dramatic turn in Switzerland, as they faced a resilient Servette side in the second leg of their play-off tie. Despite holding a comfortable 2-0 lead from the first leg, Enzo Maresca’s men found themselves in a battle they hadn’t anticipated.
Early Lead and Swift Response
Chelsea started the match confidently, and their early pressure paid off within the first 15 minutes. Mykhailo Mudryk was brought down in the box, earning a penalty that Christopher Nkunku calmly slotted into the bottom corner. At this point, it seemed like Chelsea were on their way to a routine victory.
However, Servette had other plans. Just after the half-hour mark, Dereck Kutesa led a counter-attack that caught Chelsea off guard. His pass found Jeremy Guillemenot, who fired home to give the Swiss side a lifeline and raise hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Servette’s Second-Half Surge
As the second half progressed, Servette grew in confidence, and with 20 minutes left, they scored again to set up a tense finish. Enzo Crivelli connected with Miroslav Stevanovic’s cross, and despite Filip Jorgensen’s best efforts, the ball found the back of the net. With the aggregate score now 3-2, Servette were just one goal away from forcing extra time.
Chelsea thought they had put the game to bed when Nicolas Jackson found the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR check. Moments later, Cole Palmer struck the crossbar, as Chelsea desperately tried to regain control.
A Close Call in the Dying Minutes
In the final moments of stoppage time, Servette came agonizingly close to leveling the tie. Timothe Cognat curled a shot just wide of the post, which could have sent the game into extra time and left Chelsea’s European ambitions hanging by a thread.
The final whistle brought relief for Chelsea but also left lingering questions. Servette, despite their defeat, earned a standing ovation from their fans for a brave performance that nearly resulted in an incredible upset.
Chelsea Advance, But Concerns Remain
Chelsea may have advanced to the next round, but this match exposed vulnerabilities that could haunt them in future European fixtures. Enzo Maresca’s side will need to address these issues if they hope to go far in the competition. Servette, on the other hand, can hold their heads high after a spirited display that pushed Chelsea to their limits.
challenges ahead.