Chelsea will this Friday know their Europa Conference League opponents after they moved into the league phase of the competition despite losing in Switzerland against Servette in the second leg of their qualifying play-off.
Enzo Maresca’s side led 2-0 after the first leg at Stamford Bridge a week ago and extended that advantage after 14 minutes through Christopher Nkunku’s penalty after Mykhailo Mudryk had been fouled by Keigo Tsunemoto.
Jeremy Guillemenot pulled one back for Servette, running on to Dereck Kutesa’s pass and shooting first time across Filip Jorgensen.
Two Servette substitutes combined with Enzo Crivelli heading in from Miroslav Stevanovic’s left-wing cross to put the Swiss side ahead on the night.
But the hosts could not find another goal that would have taken the tie to extra time as Chelsea held on for a 3-2 aggregate win.
Chelsea won the 2021 Champions League and are competing in Europe’s third-tier tournament for the first time after only coming sixth in the Premier League last season, a performance that cost boss Mauricio Pochettino his job.
The Blues have signed 10 players since Pochettino left with Maresca having one day left of the transfer window to trim an already bloated squad. England duo Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are among those that could leave on Friday’s transfer deadline day and neither were in the squad in Switzerland.
Maresca already faces a tough challenge in keeping the remaining members of his squad happy, but this progression in the Conference League ensures he will have at least another six matches to give game time to fringe players.
The draw for the league phase of the Conference League will be held Friday from 13:30 BST at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
