Blues Beat Buffalos in Maiden UECL Clash

Chelsea kicked off their UEFA Conference League journey with a bang, smashing KAA Gent 4-2 at Stamford Bridge!

October 3, 2024
9:25 pm

This win keeps Chelsea’s home form strong, with just one loss in their last 15 games across all competitions. After a season away from Europe, the Blues were eager to show they still mean business, even in a less glamorous tournament than the Champions League. With key players like Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, and Moisés Caicedo rested, Chelsea proved they’ve got depth.

Enzo Maresca’s squad started confidently, taking charge early. Their first real chance came in the 12th minute, and Renato Veiga made it count with a lovely header from Mykhaylo Mudryk’s cross—his first goal for the club! Chelsea kept Gent at bay for most of the first half, but Gent finally tested Chelsea keeper Filip Jörgensen when Archie Brown had a go, only to be denied. Andri Guðjohnsen, son of Chelsea legend Eiður, missed a good chance too.

The second half kicked off with a bang! Just a minute in, Pedro Neto doubled the lead with a cracking shot from a tight angle—his second since joining. But Gent quickly hit back, with Tsuyoshi Watanabe heading in Guðjohnsen’s perfect cross, giving them a glimmer of hope.

Chelsea didn’t let that shake them. Christopher Nkunku, who had been quiet, fired a brilliant strike from the edge of the box, restoring the two-goal cushion. The Frenchman’s goal deflated Gent’s comeback hopes.

With Chelsea in control, they kept pushing, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netted his first goal for the club with a cool finish after a slick move. That was the final nail for Gent, who visibly dropped in energy after going 4-1 down.

As the match wound down, Chelsea eased off a bit, but Gent snuck in a consolation goal from Omri Gandelman in the dying minutes. Still, Chelsea’s 4-2 win was never in doubt.

This victory sets Chelsea up nicely in the UECL and makes them early favorites for the trophy. If they win, they’ll be the first club to bag all of UEFA’s major trophies, having already claimed the Champions League, Europa League, and the old Cup Winners’ Cup. For Maresca, this win shows off the squad’s depth and quality, even with some key players rotated.

On the flip side, Gent will see this match as a tough lesson. They showed flashes of potential, especially with Watanabe’s goal, but were outgunned by Chelsea’s firepower. They’ll need to regroup for their next UECL match against Molde, hoping for a better result.

Chelsea’s next UECL challenge might not have the same buzz as their Champions League games, but it’s a great chance to build momentum under Maresca. After this convincing win, the Blues are on track for a successful European campaign!