In the Chelsea vs Servette result, Christopher Nkunku’s penalty led to Enzo Maresca’s first win as Chelsea manager. This victory gave Chelsea a two-goal advantage in the first leg of their Conference League play-off. A much-changed Chelsea lineup struggled to break down their Swiss opponents. Nkunku drew a foul from goalkeeper Jeremy Frick early in the second half. The French forward, one of only two players remaining from the team that lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Sunday, converted the penalty, marking the first goal of Maresca’s tenure.
Nkunku celebrated his goal by pulling out a blue balloon and inflating it in front of the jubilant Chelsea fans. The Chelsea vs Servette result could have been even more decisive moments later. Frick, under pressure from 18-year-old Marc Guiu, almost conceded a second goal. However, Guiu lost his composure, allowing Frick to recover and make the save.
Substitute Noni Madueke secured a 2-0 lead with a powerful 72nd-minute strike from a tight angle inside the penalty area. With this advantage, Chelsea are confident heading into the second leg in Geneva on 29 August. They look set to advance to the group stage of European football’s third-tier competition.
Despite the positive Chelsea vs Servette result, Stamford Bridge felt relieved at the final whistle. Chelsea had to work hard for their win and faced some tense moments. Servette managed 22 attempts compared to Chelsea’s 14. Substitute Tiemoko Ouattara struck the bar with a deflected effort in the 86th minute.
Maresca admitted his concern during the final minutes. He acknowledged that Chelsea “played with fire” but was relieved they did not concede. The Blues’ boss made nine changes from the weekend’s lineup and introduced five substitutes, including Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, and Malo Gusto.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyo made their debuts, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Guiu, Renato Veiga, and Pedro Neto also earned their first starts. Neto, a £54 million acquisition from Wolves, impressed with his explosive pace before Madueke replaced him.
Although more significant challenges await, the Chelsea vs Servette result provided the Blues with a much-needed victory. This win came after a turbulent summer marked by managerial changes and scrutiny over their transfer strategy. Captain Moises Caicedo and Nkunku provided stability, ensuring Chelsea’s triumph in Maresca’s first outing.
