By Agency Reports
Chelsea booked their place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals despite a disappointing defeat at home to Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their last-eight tie.
The Blues hit back through Marc Cucurella’s close-range finish after the Polish visitors had stunned Stamford Bridge with a Tomas Pekhart penalty for the 10th-minute opener.
But Enzo Maresca’s men had no answer following Legia’s second from French defender Steve Kapuadi in the 53rd minute.
However, their 3-0 win in the first leg in Poland was enough to send Chelsea into a last-four meeting with Swedish side Djurgarden, who claimed a 4-1 extra-time victory at Rapid Vienna, who had two players sent off as they went out 4-2 on aggregate.
Winning Europe’s third-tier competition will guarantee them a place in the Europa League next season, but Chelsea could still make the Champions League if they finish in the Premier League’s top five.
Keeper Filip Jorgensen, starting ahead of Robert Sanchez, brought down Pekhart for the spot-kick and then allowed the former Southampton forward’s penalty to slip through his gloves having dived the right way.
The 1,021-strong Legia support took their shirts off in celebration at the away end after the surprise lead, but the hosts responded with a 33rd-minute leveller.
Jadon Sancho, who had set up both of Noni Madueke’s goals in the first leg, was once again the architect for Chelsea as his low cross was turned home by left-back Cucurella.
The Spaniard found the back of the net again before the break, but his goal was ruled out for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR) this time.
However, the hosts failed to capitalise on their second-half momentum as Legia restored their one-goal advantage on the night from a close-range Kapuadi header.
Substitutes Madueke and Tyrique George went close in quick succession, before the latter had a goal disallowed for offside as Chelsea advanced despite their loss.
With a commanding lead from the first leg, many expected Chelsea to heavily rotate and give their key players a breather before a busy run-in.
But Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Sancho and Christopher Nkunku all started, as the misfiring forward line looked to rediscover some form with the team fighting on two fronts during the final weeks of the season.
But they were once again booed off by their supporters at full-time on Thursday after another frustrating and below-par display.
Their attack was once again toothless as Palmer’s goal drought extended to 15 matches, while Jackson was taken off at half-time and without a goal in 12. Frenchman Nkunku hasn’t found the net in his eight outings either.
That left-back Cucurella is their top scorer with six goals since 15 December speaks volumes about their struggles up front.
Maresca’s concerns don’t stop there either. Jorgensen in the Chelsea goal conceded twice from just five shots on target and was at fault for the penalty that gave Legia an early lead.
With neither of his goalkeepers inspiring confidence among his defence or the club’s fans, the Italian boss will have some serious thinking to do during the summer.
And with Real Betis or Fiorentina potential opponents if they make it to the final in Wroclaw on 28 May, Chelsea will need to step up if they are to deliver Maresca’s first piece of silverware since taking charge.
@BBC