Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea: Blues Positives and Negatives

Negatives

1. Wasteful Finishing

Despite scoring two well-taken goals, Chelsea squandered several golden opportunities. Of their nine shots on target and five big chances, four were missed, with several one-on-one efforts directed straight at Heidenheim’s goalkeeper, Kevin Müller.

2. Sloppy Passing and Defending

While there were moments of precise long balls to exploit space behind Heidenheim’s backline, Chelsea's backline also gifted possession carelessly, inviting unnecessary pressure. Off the ball, their lack of urgency in closing down Heidenheim players allowed the hosts to progress too easily into dangerous areas. If it was not for Filip Jorgensen Heidenheim might have got something from the match.

In the first half, Chelsea often fell into a defensive backline of six, including both wingers. This setup stifled attacking contributions, particularly from Mudryk, who had to cover for Veiga’s forays into midfield. The pressing game was largely absent, which was surprising given Heidenheim’s struggles in domestic competition and Chelsea’s clear superiority on paper.

Chelsea may have taken a significant step toward qualification. But the match highlighted lingering issues in their finishing and defensive organization. Addressing these weaknesses will be vital as they aim to build on this victory in the coming weeks.