Despite sealing a spot in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, Chelsea endured another frustrating night at Stamford Bridge with a 2-1 loss to Legia Warsaw. The disappointing result followed last week’s 3-0 win in Poland, which all but secured their progression.
However, the home crowd once again voiced their dissatisfaction, echoing the frustration they showed during the 2-2 draw with Ipswich last weekend.
Captain Reece James, who returned to the starting lineup alongside Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, didn’t hold back in his post-match comments. He admitted the team may have taken their foot off the gas and hinted at a lack of seriousness toward the competition. According to James, the mindset seemed off, suggesting Chelsea might have disrespected the occasion.
Enzo Maresca, however, had a different interpretation. The head coach pushed back on the idea that Chelsea disrespected the Conference League itself. Instead, he suggested that complacency may have crept in due to the convincing first-leg result. While acknowledging James’ point, he insisted the issue was more about underestimating Legia Warsaw than disregarding the tournament.
The match also highlighted the continued struggles of Cole Palmer, who extended his goal drought to 15 games. Maresca had hoped that a confidence-boosting performance against lower-tier opposition would reignite Palmer’s form, especially with a west London derby against Fulham looming on Sunday.
The manager revealed that the decision to start him was partly to help him build match fitness, but admitted the team may not have handled the aggregate advantage correctly.
Looking ahead, Chelsea now turn their focus to their final six Premier League fixtures, with player rotation becoming a critical strategy. Despite progressing in Europe, the mood at Stamford Bridge remains tense, as expectations continue to clash with recent performances.