Chelsea handed last-16 Conference League draw with Copenhagen
Chelsea will face Danish Superliga leaders Copenhagen for a place in the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
Enzo Maresca's side were handed a two-legged last-16 tie against the Danes in Friday's draw in Nyon, the reward for their 100 per cent group-phase record which allowed them to top the table with 18 points.
Copenhagen made it to the knockout stage the hard way, losing the home leg of their play-off against Germany's Heidenheim 2-1 before securing a nail-biting 3-1 extra-time victory in the return to secure their passage.
The sides met in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998 with the Blues going through 2-1 on aggregate after Brian Laudrup scored the decisive goal in Denmark.
However, they last went head-to-head in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2011 when Nicolas Anelka's double in the away leg handed the Blues a 2-0 advantage to take to Stamford Bridge, where a 0-0 draw pitched them into last-eight battle, ultimately unsuccessfully, with Manchester United, who would go on to lose to Barcelona in the final at Wembley.
The ties will take place on March 6 and 13.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
England boss Thomas Tuchel breaks his silence on Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham sacking
Thomas Tuchel has offered Ange Postecoglou his sympathy after his sacking at Tottenham. The England manager is in Barcelona ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Andorra. Asked about Postecoglou's dismissal this afternoon, the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and PSG manager said: 'That's the job, basically. 'I feel for every manager and I have huge sympathy in these moments 'I have been in that spot and it feels horrible. 'It's not just about titles. 'You can survive seasons without titles if you have support and the belief between coaches and the club is strong. 'If there are concerns or trust isn't there then it's sometimes not enough. 'I have huge respect for him. He is a huge character. He said he would deliver a trophy in his second season and he did it. 'But we are responsible for the club and results and sometimes we don't like it.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
Powys County Times
2 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Kasey McAteer scores as Republic of Ireland and Senegal play out draw in Dublin
Kasey McAteer scored his first international goal for the Republic of Ireland as they played out an entertaining 1-1 draw with Senegal in Dublin. The Irish delivered a performance full of industry in their first-ever encounter with the Senegalese at the Aviva Stadium. Leicester's McAteer and Ipswich's Jack Taylor made their first starts for Ireland with head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson looking at his options ahead of the beginning of the World Cup qualifying campaign in September. Senegal, ranked 19th by FIFA, some 41 places higher than the Republic, named an experimental side with only two starters remaining from their recent World Cup qualifying win over Togo. The west African side started brightly, controlling possession in the early stages and keeping the pressure on Ireland with two corners. However, Ireland grew in stature throughout the first half and opened the scoring through McAteer in the 21st minute when Senegal failed to clear a corner. Ryan Manning crossed and Nathan Collins headed it on to McAteer. His initial header was wonderfully saved by Yehvann Diouf, but the forward kept his composure to control the rebound and fire it home. The Irish stayed on the front foot for the rest of the half, showing good energy as they moved the ball quickly between defence and attack, seeming to rattle the Senegalese, who were defending a 20-match unbeaten run. Ireland's Player of the Match against Senegal is our goalscorer – Kasey McAteer! 🇮🇪 — Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) June 6, 2025 Antoine Mendy had the visitors' best chance of the half, but he screwed his shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, recently signed by Brentford from Liverpool, had virtually nothing to do before the break. The second half started in similar positive fashion for Ireland and Southampton's Will Smallbone should have doubled their lead but shot straight at the keeper. Ryan Manning attempted to fire in the rebound but it was brilliantly blocked by Mendy. With the game opening up, Senegal almost equalised moments later when Kelleher got the faintest of touches onto Krepin Diatta's header which crashed against the crossbar. After the hour mark, both sides made a series of changes, with Senegal introducing promising 21-year-old Lamine Camara, who has already played in the Champions League for Monaco, and Crystal Palace's FA Cup winner Ismaila Sarr. Camara almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected onto a post before being scrambled away by Kelleher. The threat from Senegal grew as the game wore on. However Ismail Jakob's ambitious effort to score from outside the box sailed high over the bar. The Irish invited pressure by defending deeper late in the second half. McAteer, who had run tirelessly throughout, was replaced in the 80th minute as was Smallbone as the Republic turned towards fresh legs. However, Senegal's pressure told when substitute Sarr poked home in the 82nd minute shortly after Kelleher had saved with his feet. Senegal had a free-kick on the edge of the box deep in injury time as tempers flared between the two teams, but Camara failed to get it over the defending wall. The match did not have the feel of a friendly as both Ireland and Senegal went for the win, but ultimately both will be satisfied with the draw.
