Chelsea took one step into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League with a 2-1 win at Copenhagen on Thursday within the first leg of their final 16 tie, whereas Panathinaikos and Fiorentina performed out a five-goal thriller. Reece James and Enzo Fernandez netted within the second half, earlier than Gabriel Pereira halved the deficit for the hosts, as Enzo Maresca’s facet simply did sufficient to take management of the tie within the Danish capital. “Copenhagen are a very good crew, they play good soccer, have a talented coach, and have many proficient gamers,” mentioned Maresca.
“I’m at all times nervous, however proper now, the main focus is on our subsequent matches. The return leg will likely be one other robust sport.”
Following an uninspiring opening interval, Chelsea skipper James broke the impasse one minute after half-time when he strode onto Marc Cucurella’s deep cut-back and rolled an effort from distance contained in the close to put up.
The aim introduced the sport to life and Copenhagen practically struck again immediately, just for Viktor Claesson to see his one-on-one effort come again off the within of Robert Sanchez’s put up and into the goalkeeper’s grateful arms.
Half-time substitute Fernandez made the sport protected for the guests with an emphatic Sixty fifth-minute end following good work by teenager Tyrique George.
The Premier League facet have been cruising till 11 minutes from time when Pereira was left unmarked within the field to nod in from a set-piece.
“When you go to Stamford Bridge (Chelsea’s stadium) and have to win a sport by two objectives, you want a little bit miracle,” mentioned Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup.
“The perception is there. It’s not the absolute best end result, however it’s what it’s.”
‘Hard work’
Elsewhere, final season’s defeated finalists Fiorentina went down 3-2 to Greece’s Panathinaikos.
The Greek hosts flew out of the traps, racing right into a 2-0 lead inside 19 minutes courtesy of Karol Swiderski and Nemanja Maksimovic.
But inside simply 4 minutes, Fiorentina have been again degree after two rapid-fire strikes from Lucas Beltran and Nicolo Fagioli.
Tete restored the hosts’ lead forward of the second leg with a sweeping, left-footed end within the fifty fifth minute.
“This is the results of our onerous work,” mentioned the Brazilian match-winner.
“We took a 2-0 lead, however they levelled by our errors. I’m very completely satisfied that I bought to attain the profitable aim.”
Molde held on to win by the identical scoreline in opposition to Legia Warsaw in Norway.
Eirik Hestad scored a neat opener on 11 minutes, earlier than Kristian Eriksen doubled up six minutes later.
Fredrik Gulbrandsen raced onto a high quality by ball from Emil Breivik so as to add a 3rd shortly earlier than the interval.
Kacper Chodyna and Luquinhas scored two in three second-half minutes to tug the Poles again into the tie.
La Liga membership Real Betis drew 2-2 at residence to Iberian neighbours Vitoria Guimaraes of Portugal.
Rapid Vienna have been held 1-1 in Bosnia and Herzegovina by Borac Banja Luka after David Vukovic scored a 92nd-minute penalty to degree for the hosts.
Three second-half objectives for Jagiellonia Bialystok gave the Poles a 3-0 residence win over 10-man Cercle Brugge.
Swiss facet Lugano went down 1-0 in Slovenia in opposition to Celje, and Pafos of Cyprus received by the identical margin at residence to Sweden’s Djurgarden.
The second legs will happen on March 13.
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