After the round of 32 playoff matches in the UEFA Conference League wrapped on Thurday, Chelsea were set to be paired with either Real Betis of Spain or FC Copenhagen of Denmark. Betis defeated Gent 3-1 on aggregate to advance and Copenhagen turned around a 2-1 deficit from the first leg to win 3-1 in the second and advance as well.
Copenhagen was chosen to face the Blues after Chelsea were able to skip the round of 32 courtesy of their perfect record in the league stage of the competition. Chelsea were 6-0 in their league matches and had an absurd +21 goal difference in those games, scoring 26 goals and conceding just 5.
They did this without their best player in Cole Palmer who was left off the UECL squad to focus on domestic competitions. Palmer has now been added to the squad now that the Blues are on to the round of 16 and he will be tasked with leading them to another European trophy.
Copenhagen is not a familiar opponent for Chelsea but they have faced each other 4 times before, coincidentally in the round of 16 for the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1998-99 and the UEFA Champions League in 2010-11. The Blues won 2 and drew 2 against the Danish club but advanced in both of the competitions at “The Lions” expense.
The two legs of the UECL round of 16 will be on March 6 and March 13 with the Blues having the advantage of the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s path to the Final is also set as they would face either Molde/Legia Warsaw in the quarterfinals, and Pafos/Djurgarden/Borac/SC Rapid in the semifinals.
Unfortunately they would have to play the second leg of the quarters and semis away which is no easy task. If they advance that far they will not have to face Fiorentina or Betis until the Final as they are the other two favorites in the competition.
The UECL is now Chelsea’s last hope of a trophy this season and winning it would be a great feather in Enzo Maresca’s cap during this rebuilding year. It wont be a straightforward task especially with the injury crisis at the club but the Blues are still favored to add yet another European trophy to their cabinet.