Last updated on April 17, 2025
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Chelsea cruised past Legia last time out with Sancho and George all making impacts.
Image credit: Football Tweet
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night with one foot already in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
They are holding a commanding 3-0 advantage over Legia Warsaw after a clinical first-leg performance in Poland.
Enzo Maresca’s men dominated the opening leg, with goals from Tyrique George and a brace from Noni Madueke putting the Blues firmly in control.
The xG stats suggested an even greater gulf in quality, and the West London side are now overwhelming favourites to progress.
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If they complete the job, Chelsea are expected to face Austria’s Rapid Vienna, who are in a strong position to see off Djurgarden.
A potential final against Fiorentina or Real Betis looms beyond that.
Chelsea have never failed to advance in Europe after winning an away first leg—and this tie looks as secure as any.
Yet, despite their success in Europe, frustration lingers among supporters.
A 2-2 draw against Ipswich at the weekend, which ended a seven-game home winning run, has only heightened scrutiny of Maresca’s tactics.
That stumble also saw the club drop to sixth in the Premier League, putting Champions League qualification via domestic means in serious jeopardy.
Winning the Conference League would guarantee only a Europa League place—a modest reward considering the club’s massive financial investment in recent years.
For Legia, the mountain is steep. Their hopes of a first European semi-final since 1991 were dashed in the first leg, and their away record in Europe offers little hope.
They’ve lost seven straight knockout games on the road and have never tasted victory on English soil.
Manager Goncalo Feio may already be shifting focus to Legia’s upcoming domestic cup final, especially after a demoralising home defeat to Jagiellonia Bialystok last weekend.
With European hopes effectively over, rotation could be on the cards.
Chelsea cruised past Legia last time out with Sancho scoring a brace.
Image credit: 𝐕𝐀𝐑
Chelsea, meanwhile, are likely to give minutes to a mix of emerging talents and returning squad members.
Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong could start again, while young prospects like Mathis Amougou, Shumaira Mheuka, and Samuel Rak-Sakyi may also feature.
First-team regulars including Reece James, Benoit Badiashile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Christopher Nkunku are all expected to return to the lineup, with Filip Jorgensen likely in goal.
Legia will regain Jan Ziolkowski and Artur Jedrzejczyk from suspension, but Ilya Shkurin remains ineligible, and key attackers Marc Gual and Bartosz Kapustka are fitness doubts.
Ruben Vinagre, formerly of Wolves and Everton, is expected to start on his return to English turf.
