2. Selection Dilemmas and Tactical Approach
Despite Chelsea’s 2-1 win in Denmark against FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16, the performance left much to be desired. Maresca, prioritizing the Premier League, left several regular starters out of the lineup. After a poor first half, three of them were brought on at halftime, helping Chelsea turn the game around.
While the result was favorable, conceding a goal kept the tie alive. Copenhagen will take confidence from their playoff comeback in the previous round, where they overturned a home defeat in the second leg away. Chelsea must keep that in mind as they approach Sunday’s game, balancing their focus between Leicester, the midweek European fixture, and next weekend’s showdown with Arsenal.
Squad rotation, player fatigue, and injuries will be key considerations for Maresca as he looks to navigate Chelsea’s busy schedule while keeping their Champions League qualification hopes alive.