The Round of 16 stage of this season’s UEFA Conference League kicks off with an exciting first-leg encounter between Copenhagen and Chelsea, two of the strongest sides remaining in the competition. This marks the fifth time these teams have met in European competition, with each previous encounter also taking place at the last 16 stage. Chelsea emerged victorious in both their 1998/99 Cup Winners’ Cup and 2010/11 UEFA Champions League clashes against the Danish outfit.
The hosts will be eager to break this pattern and start their campaign on a high at Parken. Encouragingly, they have lost just once in their last nine competitive home matches (W6, D2), although that sole defeat came against Heidenheim in this very tournament. Copenhagen will need to be at their best to avoid another early setback against their illustrious opponents.
Chelsea arrive in the Danish capital with much to prove this season. Despite their strong Conference League form, the Blues have struggled for consistency in domestic competitions. However, a resounding 4-0 Premier League victory over Southampton in their last outing should provide a morale boost, bringing an end to their three-match losing streak.
Chelsea have been the standout performers in the Conference League this season, advancing to this stage as the only team to win all six matches in the league phase. Their attacking prowess has been particularly impressive, netting 26 goals across those six games – at least eight more than any other side in the competition.
Players to Watch: Copenhagen’s Kevin Diks has demonstrated a unique knack for penalty-taking, with all ten of his goals this season coming from the spot. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku has shone in this competition, contributing to eight goals across his five appearances (G5, A3).
Hot Stat: No team has received fewer yellow cards than Chelsea in the Conference League so far this season (seven).
