UEFA Conference League: Nkunku, Madueke on target as Chelsea beat Servette in first-leg of play-off

Chelsea picked up their first win of the season – beating Swiss outfit Servette 2-0 in the first-leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues were booed off at the break with the game goalless but Enzo Maresca’s half-time message evidently struck a chord as Chelsea were much-improved after the interval as goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke made sure of victory.

Nkunku won a penalty when he was brought down by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick and the Frenchman wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to notch his first of the season from 12-yards.

Madueke, whose future in west London remains in doubt following the arrival of Pedro Neto, then made his mark from the bench when he collected the ball at the back post, controlled and fired home emphatically on his weaker foot.

Here are five talking points from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea on a night that could prove valuable for Maresca ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Wolves.

Mudryk angers Maresca

One of the great privileges of covering matches at Stamford Bridge is the press-box is situated right behind the dugouts – meaning you can gain a great grasp and understanding of the mood, emotion and feeling both on the touchline and on the bench.

Maresca was incredibly animated throughout his first European match at the helm and it’s clear his side are still experiencing teething problems as they adapt the Italian’s tactical blueprint, methods and ideology.

While he was not the sole subject of frustration, Maresca quickly began to lose patience with Mykhailo Mudryk’s first-half performance as he battles to keep his head above water.

Mudryk started promisingly, showcasing his ability to beat his marker, but his decision-making became somewhat reckless and he began to waste a collection of promising attacks.

During one five-minute spell, Mudryk lost possession so cheaply, simply due to hesitation and it halted Chelsea’s momentum as they looked to pip themselves ahead.

By this point, Maresca – who was trying to guide Mudryk through the game – made his feelings known and was rolling his eyes and throwing his arms in disappointment. Just before the interval, Mudryk nutmegged a Servette defender before passing the ball straight off the pitch.

Mudryk has an £88.5million price-tag hanging over his head and that figure evidently carries great pressure but the brutal reality of the situation is now is the time for Mudryk to start firing, or he will join Raheem Sterling in being frozen out of the picture.

These are the matches where the Ukrainian attacker must start to show some level of form and consistency as he is not a prospect anymore, he is 23 and has now been at Chelsea for 18 months.

Chelsea find rare bargain in Veiga

Smart transfer dealings have been hard to come by during the Clearlake era at Stamford Bridge but versatile defensive midfielder Renato Veiga looks a steal at £12million.

The 21-year-old Portugal youth international was handed his first start for the Blues at left-back but moved into the centre of the park as an inverted midfielder in possession.

But what was so striking was his physical presence and character. For such a relative fresh-faced, inexperienced prospect, he was actually remarkable strong both aerially and in duels.

Maresca certainly liked what he saw, too. He was constantly passing on instructions on the near touchline as he attempted to coach Veiga through the game.

It wasn’t always perfect but the former Sporting CP and Augsburg man, snapped up from Swiss giants FC Basel, has huge potential and can also play in midfield, at full-back or at centre-back.

The Conference League, providing Chelsea see off Servette in next week’s second-leg, could be the ideal competition to hone Veiga’s attributes and qualities as he has the makings of a real future leader.

Guiu endures strange evening

Marc Guiu made a real impression throughout Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States, particularly where his pressing was concerned.

The 18-year-old attacker, signed from Barcelona, was a real focal point in attack and he was able to link play and create space for Chelsea’s other forwards to penetrate.

But on his first official start for the Blues, Guiu fluffed his lines and somehow produced one of the worst misses this stadium is likely to ever have seen.

The Servette goalkeeper was too slow to clear his lines and the speed of Guiu’s press saw him fire the ball against the Spaniard, who looked set to roll the ball into an empty net.

But he took so long to collect the ball that he scuffed the shot and somehow failed to dispatch the chance – much to the astonishment of everyone inside the ground. Maresca could not believe Guiu had missed.

There is still a lot to like about the La Masia academy graduate and you can’t help but wonder what Chelsea might look like if they had a proper centre-forward such as Victor Osimhen leading the line.

Madueke makes point from bench

Madueke certainly made his point from the bench, firing home a brilliant second goal for Chelsea to put this two-legged tie to bed, barring a drastic turnaround.

The former PSV starlet started to hit top gear at the back end of last season but has now fallen down Chelsea’s attacking pecking order amid reported transfer interest from Newcastle.

But the Blues would evidently be daft to sell the 22-year-old, who outshone team-mate Mudryk to prove he can still be a fine option from the flank for new boss Maresca.

Madueke actually cut his ankle just moments after entering the field but he battled through the pain barrier to make his mark in style, slamming home at the back post on his weaker foot.

Every time he was in possession, he looked capable of making something happen, he was direct, dangerous and confident and that is the perfect way to respond to his recent setback.

Chelsea booed off at half-time

It’s hard to agree it was entirely justified but Chelsea were booed off at the break following a rusty first-half performance.

Servette had three shots on target to Chelsea’s one and they were much slicker with their attacking play and the way they went about creating chances.

Chelsea struggled to get the ball out of their own half as Servette went in search of the opener during one 10-minute spell but the Blues held firm, keeping the opposition at bay after surviving several scares.

Match-going supporters have every right to voice their opinion, particularly on a blustering evening like this when this particularly game is deemed an inconvenience, but they will also have to show patience with Maresca.

Mirror

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