FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·6. März 2025

FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news

Chelsea’s European campaign resumes tonight as they play FC Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League knockout stages.

Enzo Maresca and his players were a force to be reckoned with in the league phase to progress with a perfect record.

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Cole Palmer is now eligible to appear in this competition after being omitted from the initial squad. Trevoh Chalobah was another addition after returning from his loan spell at Crystal Palace, while January acquisition Mathis Amougou also makes the roster.

MATCHDAY! 💫 We take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the #UECL. 🙌 #CFC | #UECL
– Donnerstag, 6. März 2025

In his pre-match press conference, Maresca announced that Robert Sanchez will start in goal. The Spaniard has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge after some error-prone displays. Benoit Badiashile is also ready to play following a lengthy injury layoff.

Tonight’s match comes too soon for the likes of Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Nicolas Jackson.

FC Copenhagen came from behind to overcome FC Heidenheim in the playoffs last month. The Danish outfit are also dealing with several absences. Experienced midfielder Thomas Delaney is struggling with illness, while Andreas Cornelius and Lukas Lerager are fighting for fitness.

FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea – Match preview and team news

Form

FC Copenhagen: LWWWD

Jacob Neestrup’s side are currently top of the Danish Superligaen by a solitary point.

FC Midtjylland reduced the gap at the weekend after Copenhagen had to settle for a point away to AaB Fodbold.

Only two games remain of the regular campaign before the top six teams break away into a Championship playoff.

Copenhagen have only lost twice at home all campaign with both defeats coming in this competition. Polish minnows Jagiellonia Bialystok defied the odds to pick up a 2-1 victory in the Danish capital and their other loss came in the playoffs against FC Heidenheim.

Chelsea: WLLLW

Enzo Maresca will be hoping their week-long break has refreshed his players ahead of the business end of the season.

After a promising start to the campaign, Chelsea’s regression in recent months has coincided with injury and fitness troubles.

Despite losing four of their last six outings, the Blues are only two points off third position in the Premier League.

With their rich European success this century, the West Londoners are overwhelming favourites to lift the Europa Conference League trophy in Poland.

Last Meeting

Chelsea 0-0 FC Copenhagen, Champions League, 16th March 2011

Chelsea last faced FC Copenhagen in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the game ended goalless at Stamford Bridge.

In the first leg, the Blues comfortably won 2-0 in Denmark courtesy of a brace from Nicolas Anelka.

That result allowed manager Carlo Ancelotti to rotate heavily for the second encounter.

A comeback from Stale Solbakken’s side never seemed probable, despite Dame N’Doye’s free-kick hitting the post. Chelsea smashed the woodwork themselves through John Obi Mikel, who put too much elevation on his header. The commanding display saw them cruise into the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Manchester United.

Predicted Lineups

FC Copenhagen: Ramaj; Gocholeishvili, Pereira, Diks, Lopez; Elyounoussi, Delaney, Froholdt, Achouri; Claesson, Mattsson.

Chelsea: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Dewsbury-Hall; Sancho, Palmer, Neto; Nkunku.

Who is the referee?

Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov will be the match official. Martin Margaritov and Martin Venev will assist him while Radoslav Gidzhenov will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Dragomir Draganov and he will be assisted by Vasimir El-Hatib.