By Bran 
In what turned out to be a tense but ultimately successful European night at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea F.C. vs Legia Warsaw delivered moments of frustration, brilliance, and lessons to learn. The Blues didn’t need to win this second leg after their 3-0 advantage from the first, but the performance left plenty to analyze.
This article breaks down the full Chelsea F.C. vs Legia Warsaw timeline, including every major event, tactical shifts, standout players, and what this result means for Chelsea’s European campaign going forward.
Match Overview & Context
- Fixture: Chelsea F.C. vs Legia Warsaw
- Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/25 – Quarterfinal (2nd Leg)
- Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Final Score: Chelsea 1–2 Legia Warsaw (Chelsea win 4–2 on aggregate)
Chelsea entered the second leg with a comfortable 3-0 lead from the first leg in Warsaw, where they dominated every department. Manager Enzo Maresca took this opportunity to rotate, but the night was far less straightforward than expected.
Pre-Match Team News & Tactical Expectations
Chelsea F.C. Team News
Enzo Maresca made several changes:
- Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, and Marc Cucurella started.
- Nicolas Jackson started up front but was replaced at halftime.
- Notably, no minutes were given to academy prospects on the bench, despite the aggregate lead.
Key Absentees: Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Benoît Badiashile (injuries); Levi Colwill (long-term ACL).
Chelsea entered the tie with nine consecutive European wins, a club record, and had not lost in the Conference League since the qualifier vs Servette FC.
Legia Warsaw Team News
Legia, trailing 3-0, fielded an aggressive XI:
- Tomas Pekhart led the line, supported by Luquinhas and Josué.
- They pressed early, looking for an upset or, at minimum, pride-restoring performance.
Manager Kosta Runjaić spoke of the need to “play with heart and belief” — and for much of the game, his players delivered.
Chelsea F.C. vs Legia Warsaw Timeline – First Half
0′ – Kickoff
Chelsea begin confidently, pushing Legia back with Nkunku and Palmer linking up well in the opening minutes.
3′ – Early Chelsea Pressure
The Blues nearly score twice in the first five minutes. Nkunku has a shot blocked, and Palmer’s close-range effort is smothered.
8’ – GOAL! Legia Warsaw 1-0 (Pekhart, PEN)
Out of nowhere, a rash challenge by goalkeeper Jorgensen gives Legia a lifeline. Pekhart wins the penalty and converts, albeit poorly — Jorgensen gets both hands to it, but the ball squeaks in.
Chelsea 0–1 Legia (1-3 aggregate)
10′ – Chelsea Wobble
Chelsea’s momentum dips. They lose rhythm in midfield, and Legia begin to grow in confidence.
29’ – GOAL! Chelsea Equalize (Marc Cucurella)
A rare moment of incisiveness. Jadon Sancho breaks down the flank and squares for Cucurella, who taps it in from close range.
Chelsea 1–1 Legia (4-1 aggregate)
37’ – Cucurella Goal Ruled Out
Cucurella finds the net again, but VAR confirms Nkunku was marginally offside in the buildup.
45’ – HALFTIME: Chelsea 1–1 Legia Warsaw
A shaky first half for Chelsea despite the aggregate comfort. The penalty stunned the side, and while they equalized, Legia looked the more inspired team in the latter stages.
Second Half Timeline & Final Result
46’ – Sub: Jackson Off, George On
Nicolas Jackson makes way at halftime — likely precautionary. Chelsea move Palmer into the false nine role.
50’ – GOAL! Legia Warsaw 2-1 (Corner Kick Chaos)
Disastrous defending at a corner allows Josué to bundle home. Maresca looks furious on the touchline.
Chelsea 1–2 Legia (4-2 aggregate)
60’ – Subs: Palmer & Cucurella Off
With the game still nervy, Maresca brings on Sterling and Caicedo for fresh legs.
67’ – Tyrique George Denied
The young winger’s shot beats the keeper but is cleared off the line by a retreating Legia defender.
73’ – Jorgensen Nearly Gifts Another Penalty
In another moment of madness, Jorgensen rushes out and clips Luquinhas, but replays suggest the contact was initiated by the Legia player. No penalty is awarded.
78’ – Another Chelsea Goal Disallowed
Sterling finishes after a rebound, but he was clearly offside when the original shot came in.
85’ – Calm Before the Whistle
With the scoreline still safe, both sides ease off. Chelsea play keep-ball while Legia try a couple of speculative efforts.
90+4’ – Full Time: Chelsea 1–2 Legia (4–2 on aggregate)
Not the performance Chelsea wanted, but they advance to the semifinals.
Tactical Analysis: What Went Right & What Didn’t
Chelsea Strengths
- Midfield flexibility: Essugo and Palmer adapted well to quick turnovers.
- Wing play: Sancho’s delivery helped stretch the defense.
- Squad rotation: Maresca was able to rest key players with a two-legged lead.
Chelsea Weaknesses
- Goalkeeping instability: Jorgensen’s two near-disasters could’ve changed the tie.
- Corner defending: Poor zonal marking led directly to Legia’s second goal.
- Mental fragility: The team appeared stunned after conceding the opener.
Legia Warsaw Strategy
Legia pressed high early, using Pekhart as a physical outlet. They capitalized on Chelsea’s hesitation and set-pieces, staying aggressive despite trailing on aggregate.
Player Ratings & Key Performances
| Player | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Cucurella | 7.5 | Scored, high energy, unlucky on second goal |
| Cole Palmer | 7.0 | Created chances, off at hour mark |
| Christopher Nkunku | 6.5 | Lively early on, faded after 30 mins |
| Jorgensen (GK) | 4.5 | Gave away a penalty, nearly gave away another |
| Sancho | 7.0 | Assist, creative outlet |
| Tyrique George | 6.5 | Nearly scored, added pace |
| Tomas Pekhart | 7.5 | Scored and led the line well for Legia |
| Josué | 7.0 | Bundled in Legia’s second |
Post-Match Quotes & Manager Reaction
Enzo Maresca (Chelsea Manager)
“We were sloppy in key moments, but across two legs, we earned our spot. We have to learn from this performance. The job was done in Warsaw.”
Kosta Runjaić (Legia Manager)
“Proud of my players. We beat Chelsea on the night. That shows our character and quality. The tie was lost in the first leg.”
What’s Next for Chelsea & Legia Warsaw?
Chelsea
Chelsea progress to the Conference League semifinals, where they’ll face the winner of Rapid Vienna vs Djurgårdens IF. That matchup went into extra time, so Chelsea now await the winner.
- Next match: Fulham (A) – Premier League, Sunday, April 27
- Semifinal Dates: May 1 (A) and May 8 (H)
Legia Warsaw
Legia exit the competition but leave with pride after the 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge.
- Next match: Ekstraklasa clash vs Raków Częstochowa
- Focus: Securing a top-three league finish for next year’s European qualification
Conclusion
The Chelsea F.C. vs Legia Warsaw timeline shows a tale of two legs. Chelsea’s commanding first-leg display gave them breathing space, which they desperately needed after a sluggish performance at home. While the night ended in defeat, it was a calculated risk by Maresca that paid off.
Legia Warsaw can hold their heads high after a spirited showing in London. For Chelsea, the goal remains clear: win the Conference League and complete the full set of UEFA trophies.
But performances like this serve as a warning — the margin for error narrows the deeper into knockout football you go.
FAQs
1. Who scored in the Chelsea vs Legia Warsaw match?
- Chelsea: Marc Cucurella
- Legia Warsaw: Tomas Pekhart (pen), Josué
2. What was the final aggregate score?
Chelsea won 4–2 on aggregate despite losing the second leg 2–1.
3. Who is Chelsea playing in the semifinals?
They will face either Rapid Vienna or Djurgården in the semifinal.
4. Why was Nicolas Jackson subbed off?
Likely precautionary; he started but was replaced at halftime.
5. Did Chelsea play any academy players?
Tyrique George featured in the second half, but others on the bench remained unused.
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