The last qualifying matches for the tournament were played on Thursday. Europa League Conference League. Three Polish teams started their matches at 8 p.m. Jagiellonia Białystok lost to Ajax Amsterdam 0:3 (1:7 on aggregate) in the LE and will play in the LKE league phase. The same goes for Legia, which won against Drita Kosovo 1:0 (3:0 on aggregate). They said goodbye to the competition Wis³a Krakowbut she did it with honor – she won against Cercle Brugge 4:1 and was eliminated because she lost the first match 1:6.
Chelsea's sensational defeat. It could have been worse
The London team also played at the same level as Legia and Wisła. Chelsea. After a not-so-successful season in the Premier League, the English giant had to play for the LKE league stage. Fate paired him with Swiss Servette FC. In the first meeting in London, Chelsea won 2-0, so the rematch may not have been a formality, but it was supposed to be without nerves.
And Chelsea quickly sent a signal that they were not going to let the nerves get to them. In the 14th minute, Christopher Nkunku took advantage penalty kick and it was 1-0 for Chelsea. However, this result changed in the first half. In the 32nd minute, after an excellent move by Servette, Jeremy Guillemenot headed the ball into the net with a flat shot. At half-time, it was 1-1.
In the second half, the Swiss team found a way to Chelsea's goal again. In the 72nd minute, Enzo Crivelli, despite being completely alone in the penalty area, brilliantly rose to the cross and headed the ball past Chelsea's goalkeeper, who could have done better. This jump could have been reminiscent of those made and still made by Cristiano Ronaldo. 2:1 and suddenly the aforementioned nervousness occurred. The Swiss were one goal away from extra time.
But it didn't happen in the end. Chelsea unexpectedly lost to the third team of the previous season in the Swiss league, but won 3-2 on aggregate and advanced to the LKE. There, Chelsea will be one of the main favorites to win the final.
The draw for the Europa League and Conference League league stages will take place on Friday. The LE matchups will be announced at 1pm, and the LKE matchups at 2.30pm.