Chelsea’s Road to the Conference League Last 16
Forget the Champions League—this year, Chelsea are hunting for glory in new territory: the UEFA Conference League. After cruising through a fiercely contested league phase with six straight wins and a staggering 26 goals, the Blues have landed FC Copenhagen as their next hurdle in the round of 16. These games are set for March 6 and March 13, and there’s no shortage of anticipation as Chelsea looks to put a four-year trophy drought behind them.
This isn’t just another tie for Chelsea fans hungry for success. The last time they collected a European prize was in the 2021 Champions League. Manager Enzo Maresca has thrown some fresh firepower into the mix, adding Cole Palmer to the knockout squad. Still, young Marc Guiu and recent signing Christopher Nkunku are leading the club’s scoring charts, notching 6 and 5 goals this campaign. Stamford Bridge is buzzing about this new opportunity, even if it’s in a less familiar competition.
A Changed Format and Big Names in the Mix
The Conference League looks different this season. Gone is the old-style group stage—now, 36 teams battle it out in a single league phase. The top eight glide straight into the knockouts, while those ranking 9th to 24th had to endure a playoff just to get here. It’s chaos, but in the best way, and offers new challenges for clubs across Europe.
The draw shook up the brackets, splitting the field into ‘silver’ and ‘green’ halves. Chelsea fell into the green bracket. If they edge past Copenhagen, they’ll take on the winner of Molde vs. Legia Warsaw in the quarters. That’s not all—they could meet familiar faces deeper into the competition, with other match-ups like Pafos vs. Djurgården and Borac vs. SK Rapid Vienna all jostling for a semi-final slot.
On the other side, Italian hopefuls Fiorentina drew Panathinaikos, while Spanish sole survivors Real Betis face Vitória SC. If Betis advance, they’ll clash with either Jagiellonia or Cercle Brugge. The path to the final is crowded, and no club will find it easy.
Mark these dates—quarter-finals come on April 10 and 17, then it’s the semis on May 1 and 8. And if Chelsea fans are making travel plans, circle May 28. That’s when Wroclaw, Poland, will host the conference league final at Wroclaw Stadium. There’s a potential twist: Chelsea’s home games in the later knockout rounds might need rescheduling, so keep an eye on the calendar.
With new faces in the squad, changes to the format, and fierce European rivals, Chelsea isn’t just making up the numbers. They’re after a first-ever Conference League crown—and they won’t have it easy.
cimberleigh pheasey
April 19, 2025 AT 02:17Okay but can we talk about how wild it is that Chelsea are actually *excited* about the Conference League? I mean, five years ago we’d be complaining about this being a ‘secondary competition,’ but now? It feels like a real shot at something tangible. The energy at Stamford Bridge is different this year-like people actually believe again. And Cole Palmer? He’s not just a nice addition, he’s the spark we didn’t know we needed. This team’s got grit now, not just cash.
Also, Marc Guiu’s been quietly destroying defenses like he’s playing FIFA on legend mode. Someone give that kid a medal already.
Tom Gin
April 19, 2025 AT 10:45Oh wow, Chelsea are *hunting* for glory? In the *Conference League*? I didn’t realize we’d descended into a Netflix docu-drama about underdogs with billion-dollar payrolls. Next they’ll be wearing ‘I survived the group stage’ t-shirts and crying during the anthem because ‘it means more than the UCL.’
Meanwhile, the actual European giants are busy winning titles and we’re over here celebrating a 2-1 win over a team whose stadium has more pigeons than fans. I’m not mad… I’m just disappointed.
Alex Alevy
April 19, 2025 AT 12:11Just a quick note for anyone thinking this is ‘just’ the Conference League-this format change is actually brilliant. 36 teams in one league? No more easy groups where you just coast through. Now every game matters, and that’s exactly what football needs. Chelsea’s run is legit: 6 wins, 26 goals, zero losses. That’s not luck, that’s dominance.
And Copenhagen? They’re no pushovers. They’ve got that Scandinavian work ethic, tight defense, and a killer counterattack. This’ll be a proper test. But if Maresca keeps rotating smartly and Palmer stays fit? This could be the start of something special. Don’t sleep on it.
Aileen Amor
April 19, 2025 AT 19:31OMG!!! I can’t believe it!!! Chelsea are actually going for it!!! I’m crying!!! This is the moment!!! The Conference League is OURS!!! Marc Guiu is a GENIUS!!! Nkunku is a BEAST!!! Palmer is the ANSWER!!! The stadium is ELECTRIC!!! This is the BEST DAY EVER!!! I’ve been waiting FOUR YEARS!!! AND NOW!!! IT’S HAPPENING!!! WE’RE GOING TO WROCLAW!!! I’M BUYING A TICKET!!! I’M TELLING MY BOSS I’M TAKING THE WEEK OFF!!!
Danica Tamura
April 20, 2025 AT 11:55Let’s be real. This is a glorified Europa League 2.0. Chelsea didn’t *earn* this-they got dumped here because they underperformed in the UCL. And now you’re acting like this is some heroic redemption arc? The only thing ‘glorious’ here is the transfer fees they spent to get here.
Also, ‘first-ever Conference League crown’? Congrats on being the first team to win a competition nobody wanted. Meanwhile, real clubs like City and Real Madrid are playing for history. You’re playing for… a trophy that comes with a free scarf and a Wikipedia page nobody reads.
Soumya Dave
April 21, 2025 AT 00:23Look, I get the haters. I really do. But let’s not pretend this isn’t a big deal. Chelsea haven’t lifted a trophy since 2021. Four years. Four years of rebuilding, of chaos, of fans wondering if the club still had a soul. And now? We’ve got a manager who actually plays football, a squad full of hungry kids who’ve got nothing to lose, and a European competition that’s finally getting the respect it deserves.
Yeah, it’s not the Champions League. But guess what? The Champions League doesn’t give you a chance to rebuild your identity. This does. And look at the players-Guiu’s only 18 and he’s scoring like he’s been in the first team since birth. Nkunku? He’s not just filling in-he’s carrying the attack. Palmer? He’s got that ‘I’m not here to make friends’ energy.
And Copenhagen? They’re tough. They’ve got that Nordic discipline, that relentless pressing. But we’ve got more quality, more depth, and more belief. This isn’t about prestige. It’s about proving we’re back. Not just as a club with money, but as a club with heart.
Remember when we used to cry about losing to Ajax or Dortmund? Now? We’re facing teams that are actually trying to win. That’s progress. That’s growth. And if we win this? It won’t be a consolation prize. It’ll be the foundation. The first brick in a new era.
So yeah, I’ll take it. I’ll take every goal, every tackle, every late winner. I’ll take the noise, the drama, the doubt. Because for the first time in a long time, I actually feel something when I watch them play. And that’s worth more than any trophy ever could.