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Manchester United's FA Cup win warranted Chelsea's detour to the UEFA Conference League
Chelsea's path to European glory has taken an unexpected turn as they prepare for their debut season in the UEFA Conference League.
After finishing sixth in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino last season, the Blues found themselves edged out of the Europa League by Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph.
Consequently, Chelsea will now compete in the Conference League, a tournament that has only been around for three years.
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Play-off round draw
The draw for the Conference League play-off round, held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, has set up an intriguing two-legged clash for Chelsea.
They will face either Braga from Portugal or Servette from Switzerland. The first leg of this crucial encounter will be hosted at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, August 22, with the return leg scheduled for Thursday, August 29, in either Portugal or Switzerland.
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A new opportunity for Chelsea
While the Conference League may not have been Chelsea’s first choice, it presents a unique opportunity for new head coach Enzo Maresca.
With a somewhat bloated squad, the tournament offers a chance to integrate young talent and provide valuable playing time to emerging stars.
Chelsea’s participation in the Conference League could help Maresca in his squad management and tactical experimentation.
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Tournament format
The 2024/25 season introduces a revamped format for the Conference League. The group stage will transition into a single 36-team league, with each team playing six different opponents—three at home and three away.
The top eight teams from this stage will advance directly to the Round of 16, while the teams finishing from ninth to 24th will enter a knockout round play-off to secure their place in the last 16.
Road to the Conference league
Chelsea’s unexpected drop to the Conference League was a result of Manchester United’s FA Cup victory.
The competition’s structure means Chelsea will face the loser of the Europa League qualifying clash between Braga and Servette.
The outcome of this game will determine the team’s path into the Conference League, making every match crucial as they aim to secure their place in the expanded group stage.
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