Chelsea secured a spot in the Conference League semifinals despite losing the second leg of their quarterfinal 2-1 at home to Legia Warsaw on Thurday.
The result keeps Chelsea’s push for silverware alive but their performance will do little to quiten the discontent in the fanbase.
Despite winning the first leg 3-0, Enzo Maresca named a strong lineup with Cole Palmer, Reece James and Jadon Sancho all starting. Filip Jörgensen kept his spot in the XI from the first leg but his rash challenge gifted Warsaw a 10th minute penalty, which Tomas Pekhart converted to give Warsaw the lead.
Cucurella drew Chelsea level near the half-hour mark after a well worked move. It was his sixth goal of the season, and he nearly had a seventh shortly after before it was ruled out by VAR for offside.
Roared on by their vociferous fans — who spent a large chunk of the game shirtless — Warsaw played with spirit. Eight minutes into the second-half they went ahead again, thanks to Steve Kapuadi’s close-range finish.
Chelsea pushed for a way back and Noni Madueke had an effort saved off the line. Tyrique George, who came on for Nicolas Jackson at half-time, looked lively up front and had a late effort ruled out for offside.
