ECL: Hey Blues, don't look a gift win in the mouth - but be aware that you were lousy

A win against Copenhagen is noted, but if Chelsea continue playing like this in the UEFA Conference League, they will hardly win the competition in which they are firm favourites.

After a poor first half, the Blues netted in the 46th and 66th minute over their two captains, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez, securing a convincing lead. Still, the home team felt Enzo Maresca's crew's vulnerability and managed to close the gap ten minutes before the end through Gabriel Pereira - 2-1.

If you slept through the first half played at Parken Stadium, you didn't miss much. Moreover, you didn't miss anything! The Blues seemed very indisposed as if they didn't have a tad of motivation to play in the third-tier European competition.

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The rivals combined for four shots - two on each side - while the home team made the only shot on target. The only memorable moment in the opening 45 minutes was Malo Gusto's injury, for which he had to leave the pitch and be replaced with Marc Cucurella midway through the first half.

However, Enzo Maresca's half-time talk must have been impressive, as his lads netted in the opening moments after the break! Cucurella initiated a hasty attack over the left flank and sent the ball in the middle for the captain Reece James, who unleashed an effort from a 30-meter distance, finding the bottom right corner of Copenhagen's goal - 1-0!

Twenty minutes later, Chelsea struck again, this time thanks to home team's mistake. Giorgi Gocholeishvili lost the ball near Copenhagen's box, Cucurella stole it, and passed it to Christopher Nkunku. The Frenchman found the young Tyrique George inside the box, as the teenager noted an assist for Enzo Fernandez, who was a ruthless executor - 2-0!

Yet, the home team refused to surrender, scoring a goal of hope ten minutes before the end. Marcos Lopez sent an ideal free-kick cross into Chelsea's box and Gabriel Pereira found the net with a powerful header, closing the gap and giving his team a chance to avoid a defeat.

In the end, Chelsea managed to defend the advantage and secure a win on the road and the return leg at Stamford Bridge would probably be a formality. Still, if the Blues face a bit stronger side in the upcoming rounds, their mild and mediocre approach could be severely punished.

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

First leg

Thursday

Betis - Guimaraes 2-2 (0-0)

/Bakambu 48, Isco 75 - Mendes J.S. 51, Oliveira 81/

Copenhagen - Chelsea 1-2 (0-0)

/Pereira 80 - James 46, Fernandez 66/

Molde - Legia 3-2 (3-0)

/Hestad 12, Eriksen 17, Gulbrandsen 44 - Chodyna 64, Luquinhas 67/

Panathinaikos - Fiorentina 3-2 (2-2)

/Swiderski 5, Maksimovic 19, Tete 55 - Beltran 20, Fagioli 23/

23.00: (3.60) Borac BL (3.35) Rapid Wien (2.10)

23.00: (2.55) Celje (3.35) Lugano (2.75)

23.00: (2.00) Jagielonia (3.45) Cercle Brugge (3.80)

23.00: (1.65) Paphos (3.75) Djurgarden (5.60)

***odds are subject to change***