Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (agg 3-2)

Such is the gulf in quality and resources between Chelsea and their rivals for the Europa Conference League trophy, it is entirely possible that Enzo Maresca’s side could win this tournament without ever leaving second gear. 

Their latest Conference League victory, against a spirited but ultimately limited FC Copenhagen, brought about an eighth consecutive win in this competition. Chelsea have scored 29 goals in that run, and there could be many more to come in the remaining knockout games of this tournament. 

It would be a mistake, however, to describe this as a thrilling performance. Chelsea were horribly stodgy throughout the first half and only found some rhythm after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a fine individual goal after the break. At no point did they produce their finest football. Then again, at no point did they have to. 

That is brilliant Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 💫

What a finish 😮‍💨

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/IwWI7POJGu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

“This club always won trophies in the past and we need to do our best to achieve our target this season,” said Maresca. “We have to give the fans and the club a title.”

No one of a Chelsea persuasion expects the Conference League to be the club’s top priority at the moment, but the supporters do expect at least some entertainment on a Thursday night. In a dreadful first half, they did not get any. Chelsea were flat and unimaginative, and failed to register even a single shot – on or off target – before the break. 

There were even a few boos at the half-time whistle, which further contributed to the feeling that the relationship between the Stamford Bridge faithful and Maresca is becoming a little strained. 

Copenhagen, trailing by a single goal from the first leg, were hardly slicing through the home side’s defence. They did create a few half-chances, though, and it required a fine block on Rodrigo Huescas, from Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong, to prevent the away side from scoring the opening goal of the night. 

Maresca acted decisively. On came Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella, and suddenly Chelsea had some attacking intensity. 

Dewsbury-Hall’s goal came 10 minutes into the second half, as he barrelled his way through the white shirts and produced a fine finish inside the far post. It released much of the tension that had started to build in the capital. 

Copenhagen’s relentless fans continued to believe but their players knew the game was up. For Chelsea, it was a case of job done effectively, but far from spectacularly. 

---

10:19 PM GMT

Cole on Dewsbury-Hall

"He's needs to play football...He's such a good, talented footballer!" 👀

Joe Cole sings the praises of Chelsea match-winner Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 😮‍💨

📺@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/OyCySWtpEZ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

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10:15 PM GMT

TNT’s Joe Cole on Palmer

“Cole Palmer will have loads of spells like this in his career. He just needs to be calm and smooth, he looks like the coolest man in the room.

“It could be affecting him but the dry spell will end, hopefully on Sunday against Arsenal.”

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10:14 PM GMT

Next up

Chelsea’s last game before the international break is a trip to north London to face second-place Arsenal at the Emirates. Enzo Maresca’s side start the weekend in fourth place in the Premier League.

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10:13 PM GMT

Dates for remaining Conference League matches

Quarter-finals: April 10 & 17

Semi-finals: May 1 & 8

Final: May 28 (Wroclaw)

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10:10 PM GMT

Joe Cole on TNT Sports

Joe Cole reacts as Chelsea march on in Europa Conference League 🔵

📺@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/XIXSRuG59O

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

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10:07 PM GMT

Copenhagen’s European journey over

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10:03 PM GMT

Chelsea’s potential route to the final

Quarter-final: Molde or Legia Warsaw (who are currently in extra time in their last-16 tie)

Semi-final: Djurgarden or SK Rapid

Final: Real Betis, Jagielloina, Celje or Fiorentina

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10:00 PM GMT

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall talking to TNT Sports

"That's just a product of repetition!" 🎯

"It'd be stupid of us not to say that we should win this [Conference League]!"

🗣️ Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

📺@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/qzTZZHVilW

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

---

09:56 PM GMT

Tonight’s Conference League last 16 results

Cercle Brugge 2-0 Jagiellonia (2-3 agg) 

Djugarden 3-0 Pafos (3-1 agg) 

Lugano 5-4 Celje (5-5 agg) Celje won 3-1 on penalties

Rapid Vienna 2-1 Borac BB (3-2 agg)

8pm kick-offs:

Chelsea 1-0 Copenhagen (3-1 agg) 

Fiorentina 3-1 Panathinaikos (5-4 agg) 

Legia 1-0 Molde (3-3 agg) Gone to extra time

Vitoria SC 0-4 Betis (2-6 agg) 

---

09:54 PM GMT

FT stats

Possession: Chelsea 54%- 46% Copenhagen

Shots: 11-9

Shots on target: 5-1

Corners: 1-6

Touches in opposition box: 18-17

---

09:53 PM GMT

Full time

Copenhagen have a late corner with the chance to get a consolation goal. Their keeper Ramaj is up for the corner, which Chelsea head away. Copenhagen keep it alive and send in another cross, which leads to a bit of a scramble and Chelsea just about clear.

There is the final whistle and Chelsea are into the quarter-finals. They win 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

Into the next round! ✊#CFC | #UECLpic.twitter.com/wBDbDPnhP2

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2025

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09:51 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Cucurella nicks possession and Palmer is allowed to drive forward. He takes it all the way to the edge of the box, where the space opens up for him to take the shot. He should really score but it is a fairly comfortable save for Ramaj.

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09:49 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Copenhagen could have made it a very nervy ending for Chelsea. Huecas has a great chance from around eight yards out but he blazes his effort over the bar when he should have hit the target.

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09:48 PM GMT

90+1 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Meling cuts inside on the left-hand side of the box and his shot is blocked.

Down the other end Palmer finds Nkunku just outside the Copenhagen box but the ball is taken off him before he could get a shot away.

---

09:48 PM GMT

90 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

There will be five added minutes.

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09:47 PM GMT

89 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Meling is nearly found at the back post but he cannot quite stretch to reach it. Had the cross been slightly lighter he would have had a good chance of scoring.

Chelsea are making their final change as Antwi replaces Neto.

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09:46 PM GMT

88 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Neto sprints from his own half down the right, with the Copenhagen defenders struggling to keep up. He the plays the ball across to Palmer on the edge of the box but his effort is blocked.

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09:45 PM GMT

87 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Robert cuts in from the left and is fouled by James not far outside the Chelsea box, which is not far away from the travelling Copenhagen fans, who are still making plenty of noise.

Meling sends in the free-kick but Badiashile makes the clearance.

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09:42 PM GMT

85 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup has just been booked as he showed his dissatisfaction at the referee.

Chelsea are then warned for wasting time and Tosin is booked for taking far too long over a free-kick.

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09:40 PM GMT

83 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Robert has space to get a shot away from just outside the Chelsea box but he drags his shot poorly wide. It opened up for Robert but that was a woeful effort that he will want back.

Copenhagen are making their final change as Mattsson is on for Froholdt.

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09:38 PM GMT

81 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Dewsbury-Hall tries to pick out Nkunku making a run through the middle towards the box but the ball is not quite right and the chance is gone. Had the pass been better Nkunku would have had a one-on-one chance.

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09:36 PM GMT

79 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Caicedo’s night is over as he is brought off to be replaced by James, who takes the captain’s armband. Enzo Maresca might be starting to think of Chelsea’s Premier League match at Arsenal on Sunday.

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09:34 PM GMT

76 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Palmer takes a shot on from the free-kick but his effort does not have the power to beat Ramaj.

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09:34 PM GMT

75 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Copenhagen think they are about to break away and have numbers forward but Chelsea are awarded a free-kick for a foul by Achouri on Caicedo, which earns the Copenhagen man a yellow card.

That will be Achouri’s last act as he and Clem are coming off to be replaced by Robert and Falk.

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09:31 PM GMT

73 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Nkunku is found on the left-hand side of the box and his cross/ shot is saved by Ramaj, who eventually gathers it.

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09:30 PM GMT

72 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

George drives through the Copenhagen half and gets his shot away from just outside the box but his effort is blocked.

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09:26 PM GMT

69 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Cucurella slides in to put the ball behind for a Copenhagen corner out on the right. The corner takes a while to actually be taken, with Cucurella at the centre of the chaos as he shoves someone over. Rightly so the referee calls him over and is booked for that needless push.

Eventually the corner is taken but Chelsea are awarded a free-kick so can clear their lines.

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09:23 PM GMT

65 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Chelsea are making their third change as Nkunku is replacing Sancho.

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09:22 PM GMT

64 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Chance for Palmer. He picks the ball up inside the Copenhagen half and just keeps driving towards the visitors’ box. At the edge of the penalty area he tries to curl one into the far corner but it goes just wide. Palmer has definitely made an impact since coming on.

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09:20 PM GMT

62 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Copenhagen lose the ball deep in their own half and Neto decides to shoot from range. It is a comfortable enough save for Ramaj, who gets down to his left to make the save but he did have to gather at the second attempt.

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09:17 PM GMT

59 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

Elyounoussi goes down clutching at his hamstring and that is his night over. Farcically though just as Elyounoussi thought he was going off the referee restarted play, which led to Elyounoussi just going back down to stop play again to make some changes.

The visistors are going to make a double change as Larsson and Chiakha come on for Claesson and Elyounoussi.

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09:15 PM GMT

58 mins: Chelsea 1 Copenhagen 0 (3-1 agg)

How will Copenhagen respond to that goal, which means they are two goals down on aggregate? That Chelsea goal has not disheartened the Copenhagen fans mind, who are still singing and chanting.

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09:12 PM GMT

GOAL! Dewsbury-Hall extends Chelsea’s aggregate lead

Chelsea have barely threatened the Copenhagen goal tonight but they have the breakthrough on the night. Copenhagen gift possession away deep inside their own half and Dewsbury-Hall gets on the ball. He wriggles past a few players and then, with a slice of fortune, gets through a few defenders and is inside the box. He then drills a shot across Ramaj from the left-hand side of the box and it nestles in the far corner. Chelsea lead 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

The arrivals of Cucurella and Palmer have made a big difference to Chelsea’s attack, and now they have the lead on the night. It’s quite a strange goal. On paper, Dewsbury-Hall has beaten three players and buried a powerful finish into the corner. In reality, he sort of tackled and stumbled his way through them all. Either way, it’s a lovely shot at the end.

That is brilliant Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 💫

What a finish 😮‍💨

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/IwWI7POJGu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

---

09:10 PM GMT

52 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Copenhagen win a corner off Cucurella, who tried to dive to win a free-kick but rightly he was turned down. Copenhagen though make nothing of the corner.

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09:09 PM GMT

51 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

What good chance that was for Copenhagen to bring the tie level! Meling has space down the left and drives towards the Chelsea box. He picks out Claesson in space at the back post but he gets his shot all wrong. It would have been close to offside had the ball gone in but Claesson will be annoyed that he wasted that chance.

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09:06 PM GMT

49 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Sancho cuts in from the left and sends a powerful shot towards goal from the left-hand side of the box but it is straight at Ramaj.

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09:05 PM GMT

47 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Froholdt is penalised for fouling Palmer inside the Copenhagen half and this will present the hosts with a good opportunity to send the ball into the box or perhaps even go for goal. 

They actually play it out wide to Sancho, who then lays it back to Palmer. He sends a dangerous cross to the back post, where it goes over the head of Badiashile and comes down to Chalobah, who cannot send his volley on target. He may see he was distracted by a jumping Badiashile in front of him but he should have done better with that chance.

---

09:02 PM GMT

Second half

We are back under way at Stamford Bridge. In theory 45 minutes remaining in this tie and Chelsea lead 2-1 on aggregate. Enzo Maresca has decided he has seen enough and is making a double change at the break. Palmer and Cucurella are coming on for Fernandez and Acheampong.

---

08:58 PM GMT

Other English clubs in action

Two English clubs are currently playing in the Europa League. At Old Trafford Manchester United are level 1-1 in the second leg against Real Sociedad, 2-2 on aggregate. Meanwhile in north London Tottenham are 1-0 in the second leg against AZ Alkmaar and it is 1-1 on aggregate.

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08:55 PM GMT

Tonight’s Conference League last 16 fixtures

5.45pm kick-offs:

Cercle Brugge 2-0 Jagiellonia (2-3 agg) FT

Djugarden 3-0 Pafos (3-1 agg) FT

Lugano 5-4 Celje (5-5 agg) Celje won 3-1 on penalties

Rapid Vienna 2-1 Borac BB (3-2 agg) AET

8pm kick-offs:

Chelsea 0-0 Copenhagen (2-1 agg) HT

Fiorentina 2-0 Panathinaikos (4-3 agg) HT

Legia 1-0 Molde (3-3 agg) HT

Vitoria SC 0-2 Betis (2-4 agg) HT

---

08:49 PM GMT

HT stats

Possession: Chelsea 53%- 47% Copenhagen

Shots: 0-4

Shots on target: 0-1

Corners: 1-3

Touches in opposition box: 3-10

---

08:46 PM GMT

Half time

That is it for the first half and it is all square at 0-0 on the night but Chelsea still lead 2-1 on aggregate.

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08:46 PM GMT

45 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

There will be one added minute at the end of this first half.

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08:44 PM GMT

44 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Neto goes down inside the Copenhagen box and wants a penalty but referee Radu Marian Petrescu waves those appeals away. No VAR check as it was not a foul, more a case of Neto looking for it and going down way too easily.

Chelsea are yet to have a single shot tonight. That speaks volumes.

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08:43 PM GMT

42 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Copenhagen have a corner on the right, which former Southampton man Elyounoussi will take. His outswinger finds Claesson, who wins the header but there is not that much power on it and Jorgensen takes a fairly easy catch. First attempt on target for either side tonight.

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08:42 PM GMT

40 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Dewsbury-Hall sends a ball across from the left-hand side of the area, which comes off Hatzidiakos and loops into the air. Ramaj comes out catch the loose ball.

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08:39 PM GMT

39 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Dewsbury-Hall plays a ball forward towards Sancho but he cannot capitalise on it and Ramaj is out of his goal to make the clearance. The offside flag went up anyway as Sancho had strayed offside when the ball was played forward.

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08:38 PM GMT

37 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

George makes good progress from inside his own half down the right. He then tries to pick out Neto with a through ball but the pass is overhit and rolls through to Ramaj in the Copenhagen goal. Had that pass been right Neto would have had a golden chance to get the opening goal of the night.

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08:31 PM GMT

31 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

The likes of Sancho and Neto have been very quiet so far tonight and barely made an impact on the match. Enzo Maresca will not be particularly pleased with his side so far and Copenhagen look the more likely to get the first goal of the night.

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08:30 PM GMT

29 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Copenhagen have a corner out on the left. They take it short and then send the cross into the box but the delivery is too loopy, which allows Jorgensen to come out of his goal and make the catch. Copenhagen will feel they are playing well enough to get a goal and bring the tie level. All the noise at the moment is coming from the travelling Copenhagen fans.

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08:27 PM GMT

27 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

You can tell Chelsea’s players aren’t particularly happy with how this is going. Sancho, Tosin and Chalobah were all asking tactical questions of Maresca during a stoppage of play. Copenhagen are growing into this game.

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08:25 PM GMT

25 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

There is some concern for the visitors as Pereira, who scored Copenhagen’s goal last week, is down receiving some treatment. He is back on his feet though and is going to try to continue.

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08:23 PM GMT

22 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Chelsea are awarded a free-kick in a central position inside the Copenhagen half after Caicedo was fouled. Fernandez sends in the free-kick but there is slightly too much on it for the likes of Badiashile who was trying to get on the end of it. Had there been just a touch less on that cross those Chelsea players would have been in business.

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08:20 PM GMT

19 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Huescas beats Acheampong down Copenhagen’s right and moves into the Chelsea box. He has the opportunity to shoot but instead tries to pick out a teammate. Badiashile makes the block and it goes behind for a corner, which Copenhagen take short. The ball is sent to the back post, where a backpedalling Jorgensen makes the catch.

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08:16 PM GMT

16 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Chelsea are definitely the better team here but Copenhagen are looking dangerous when they push forward. It required a good block by Josh Acheampong to keep out Rodrigo Huescas. There’s a slightly anxious atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

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08:15 PM GMT

14 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Copenhagen could easily have taken the lead on the night. Chelsea gift possession away deep in their own half and a cross is sent in from the left. Acheampong should deal with the danger but messes up the clearance. An opportunity falls to Huescas but Acheampong redeems himself by blocking the shot.

Another cross is sent in, this time from the right, which Meling meets but his header is off target.

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08:12 PM GMT

11 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Acheampong wins Chelsea a corner down the left but looking at the replays it really should have been given a goal-kick as the last touch came off Acheampong. Copenhagen will be furious if a goal is scored from this corner. Neto takes an outswinging corner but it is easily headed away.

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08:11 PM GMT

9 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

Chelsea are yet to register a shot at the Copenhagen goal so far tonight and Copenhagen will be satisfied with their start, albeit knowing they are a goal down in the tie but still plenty of time left.

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08:06 PM GMT

5 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

This has been a positive start from the visitors as the cross this time is sent in from the left by Meling but Jorgensen gets out to gather the cross before it could reach a Copenhagen attacker.

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08:05 PM GMT

4 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

That was a chance for the visitors. Claesson sends a great cross into the area from the right and finds the head of Achouri, who cannot keep his header down from the penalty spot. He probably should be doing better there and at least making the goalkeeper work.

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08:03 PM GMT

3 mins: Chelsea 0 Copenhagen 0 (2-1 agg)

The travelling Copenhagen fans are making their presence known in west London. They are bouncing up and down and enjoying their trip to Stamford Bridge.

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08:00 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way at Stamford Bridge. Will Chelsea book their place in the quarter-finals or can Copenhagen cause a shock by knocking out the west Londoners? 

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07:56 PM GMT

Kick-off fast approaching

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Stamford Bridge.

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07:53 PM GMT

Reminder of the teams

Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Badiashile, Fernandez, Caicedo, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Neto.

Substitutes:Sanchez, Bergstrom, Colwill, Murray-Campbell, Cucurella, Antwi, James, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Mheuka, Nkunku.

Copenhagen: Ramaj, Diks, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling, Claesson, Clem, Froholdt, Elyounoussi, Huecas, Achouri.

Substitutes:Trott, Garananga, Mattsson, Larsson, Lerager, Robert, Chiakha, Gocholeishvili, Delaney, Runarsson, Falk.

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07:49 PM GMT

Route to the final

This is what Chelsea’s potential route to the final in Wroclaw looks like:

Quarter-final: Molde or Legia Warsaw

Semi-final: Pafos, Djurgarden, Borac or SK Rapid

Final: Real Betis, Vitoria SC, Jagielloina, Cercle Brugge, Celje, Lugano, Panathinaikos or Fiorentina

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07:45 PM GMT

TNT crew on Chelsea fans

"The fans need to be a little more patient!"

Joe Cole and Eni Aluko on fan frustrations at Stamford Bridge 👀

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/FK8OTjHbVT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

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07:42 PM GMT

Copenhagen gearing up

Opbakningen er på plads🤍💙#fcklive#ueclpic.twitter.com/i8LdHTNAUE

— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) March 13, 2025

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07:41 PM GMT

Five big England calls Tuchel has to make

Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel names his first squad as the England manager tomorrow morning. Our very own Matt Law takes a look at some of the most important decisions the German has to make.

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07:37 PM GMT

Joe Cole on TNT Sports

"I said at the start of the season Enzo Maresca's got the most difficult job in the Premier League!" 👀

🗣️ Joe Cole

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/HbeqMGQpCg

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

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07:33 PM GMT

Thomas Frank at Stamford Bridge tonight

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07:31 PM GMT

Selection decisions

It’s an interesting team selection by Maresca, who has effectively picked his first-choice central midfielders (Caicedo and Fernandez) and largely surrounded them with fringe, squad players. Palmer, James and Nkunku would be the obvious options off the bench tonight, should Chelsea need more firepower. All three of those players have been struggling with illness, though. 

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07:26 PM GMT

Copenhagen recent results

Sunday 9^th March: Copenhagen 1-1 Sonderjyske (Danish Superliga)

Thursday 6^th March: Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea (Conference League)

Sunday 2^nd March: AaB 0-0 Copenhagen (Danish Superliga)

Sunday 23^rd February: Copenhagen 1-0 Midtjylland (Danish Superliga)

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07:23 PM GMT

Get your fix

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07:18 PM GMT

Chelsea recent results

Sunday 9^th March: Chelsea 1-0 Leicester (Premier League)

Thursday 6^th March: Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea (Conference League)

Tuesday 25^th February: Chelsea 4-0 Southampton (Premier League)

Saturday 22^nd February: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)

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07:12 PM GMT

Full team news

Chelsea make six changes to the side that started the 1-0 win over Leicester at the weekend. Filip Jorgensen replaces Robert Sanchez in goal. There are starts for Joshua Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George. Reece James, Christopher Nkunku and Cole Palmer have recovered from illness to take their places on the bench.

Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Tosin, Chalobah, Badiashile, Fernandez, Caicedo, George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho, Neto.

Substitutes:Sanchez, Bergstrom, Colwill, Murray-Campbell, Cucurella, Antwi, James, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Mheuka, Nkunku.

Copenhagen make two changes from the first leg with former Southampton forward Mohamed Elyounoussi and Rodrigo Huecas replacing Giorgi Gocholeishvili and Amin Chiakha.

Copenhagen: Ramaj, Diks, Pereira, Hatzidiakos, Meling, Claesson, Clem, Froholdt, Elyounoussi, Huecas, Achouri.

Substitutes:Trott, Garananga, Mattsson, Larsson, Lerager, Robert, Chiakha, Gocholeishvili, Delaney, Runarsson, Falk.

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07:07 PM GMT

Colwill on Palmer

"He's an amazing player" 🤩

Chelsea's Levi Colwill discusses team-mate Cole Palmer - his recent form, and what it's like to play with him 🌟

📺 Watch Chelsea host FC Copenhagen tonight on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK from 7pm pic.twitter.com/D69kttEQvN

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025

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07:01 PM GMT

Tonight’s Conference League last 16 fixtures

5.45pm kick-offs:

Cercle Brugge 2-0 Jagiellonia (2-3 agg) 58’

Djugarden 2-0 Pafos (2-1 agg) 58’

Lugano 3-1 Celje (3-2 agg) 60’

Rapid Vienna 0-0 Borac BB (1-1 agg) 60’

8pm kick-offs:

Chelsea vs Copenhagen (2-1 agg)

Fiorentina vs Panathinaikos (2-3 agg)

Legia vs Molde (2-3 agg)

Vitoria SC vs Betis (2-2 agg)

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06:57 PM GMT

Hosts arriving

Off the bus. 🚌#CFC | #UECLpic.twitter.com/KhqGRUXbnP

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2025

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06:51 PM GMT

Copenhagen team news

Start-11'eren mod Chelsea FC #fcklive#ueclpic.twitter.com/vPqDjLCWtV

— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) March 13, 2025

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06:51 PM GMT

Chelsea team news

The Blues to take on Copenhagen tonight. ✊#CFC | #UECLpic.twitter.com/csnud1vf3D

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 13, 2025

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06:50 PM GMT

Match preview

Chelsea host Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge hoping to book their place in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Enzo Maresca’s side won the first leg 2-1 a week ago in Denmark, thanks to goals from Reece James and Enzo Fernandez. A late Gabriel Pereira goal from Copenhagen gives the visitors hope going into tonight’s second leg. Speaking ahead of tonight’s second leg, Marecsa has admitted that he was surprised by the way Copenhagen set up in the first leg last week.

“I watched many of their games and they played with a four but against us they played with five [in defence]. Then we tried to adapt. They changed completely the way they played. We do not know how they will play - we will find out tonight.”

Maresca’s side have won all seven of their Conference League games so far this season, scoring 28 goals and conceding six. They have been hit by illness after their 1-0 Premier League win over Leicester on Sunday, with the likes of Reece James, Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku among those who have been suffering with illness. All three are though set to be available for tonight’s game.

Ahead of the match, defender Levi Colwill has been singing the praises of his manager.

“The way he teaches us every day has been top,” Colwill. “Everyone in the changing room enjoys playing under him. Over time you will see us get better and better because of him. I will always back the coach. I love the ideas he has. He is amazing.

“The ideas he brings in training to help us break teams down – it is all down to him. We are top players but he sets us up correctly to look good on the pitch and score goals. As a manager and person, he is top. He pushes us every day.”

Ahead of the announcement of the England squad tomorrow under new manager Thomas Tuchel, Colwill has been speaking about his previous experience under Tuchel at Chelsea.

“I trained a few times with him and went on pre-season with him. I know he is a top manager, a top guy. I have had a chat with him. We just caught up on old times, from when I was here. I already knew him well enough anyway.

“Hopefully I can get called up for this camp coming up. To play for England is a dream come true for anyone. To keep playing for them feels as good as the first time. Hopefully I can get called up on Friday and we go from there.”

Chelsea will continue to be without Malo Gusto, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke. Gusto picked up an injury in the first leg and will miss out tonight. Maresca is hoping that Jackson and Madueke will be back after the upcoming international break.

Between the two legs, Copenhagen drew 1-1 with Sonderjyske in the Danish top flight on Sunday. That draw leaves them in second place, one point off current leaders Midtjylland.

Team news to follow shortly.

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