Match report and talking points as Blues secure last 16 spot in Conference League

Chelsea secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League on Thursday as they beat Astana 3-1 in Kazakhstan.

The Blues had little trouble adapting following their long journey as Marc Guiu’s brace gave them an unassailable lead within the opening 20 minutes. Renato Veiga then added a third from a corner before Marin Tomasov’s brilliant effort pulled one back for the hosts.

There was little drama in a fairly subdued second half as both Astana and Chelsea wasted promising openings in the final third, but the Blues cared little as they eased to an important win in tough conditions.

How the game unfolded

Chelsea made the eight-hour trip to Kazakhstan with a youthful squad and they were put to the test by freezing conditions that regularly dropped below -10 degrees in Almaty, the city in which Astana are playing their home games at present due to renovations on their regular stadium.

Despite the cold, Chelsea made a red-hot start as Guiu put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute. The youngster collected the ball on the right-hand side and drove deep into the penalty area before matching a powerful run with a smart near-post finish.

Chelsea didn’t have to wait long for their second, either. This time Pedro Neto was the man bursting down the right wing and the Portuguese forward flashed a cross towards the six-yard box that struck Guiu on its way beyond Astana goalkeeper Mukhammejan Seisen. The 18-year-old knew little about his second of the encounter but had dazzled in the early stages.

The Premier League giants were able to add a third before the break as Veiga headed home from a pinpoint Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall corner, but Astana managed to reduce the deficit just five minutes later as Tomasov beat Filip Jorgensen with an excellent finish.

Having already breached Chelsea’s goal with an accomplished finish, Tomasov tried his luck once more after the restart. A dipping long-range effort forced Jorgensen to react with a strong palm as Astana stepped up the tempo.

Tyrique George nearly grabbed his first goal for Chelsea just before the hour mark. Following up on a rebuffed effort from Carney Chukwuemeka, the winger took aim at goal himself but saw his shot cleared off the line by a covering defender.

Chelsea continued to apply pressure to the Astana goal in the final half-hour as their academy products aimed to get in on the act, but the Blues lacked a little finesse in key moments as the game petered out.

A comfortable victory sees Chelsea aiming to maintain their perfect league phase record when they host Shamrock Rovers next Thursday.

Check out the player ratings from Astana 1-3 Chelsea here.

There were few doubts that Chelsea would ease directly into the last 16 of the Europa Conference League at the beginning of the campaign and so it has come to pass. The Blues have been a cut or two above their opposition during all five league phase outings and finished the job on Thursday.

While a victory over Astana is nothing to write home about, it did ensure that Chelsea will avoid the Europa Conference League play-offs. That could prove an enormous bonus for the Blues as they chase down the Premier League title.

Chelsea should feel the benefit of their Europa Conference League dominance in the new year as their incredibly deep squad earns even more rest time.

Chelsea travelled light to Kazakhstan. Their bench was entirely made up of academy players – many of whom had never previously made a senior appearance – while teenagers George, Josh Acheampong, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Guiu all started.

While there were a number of seasoned professionals on hand to guide the young guns through the contest, Chelsea’s striplings took no time adjusting to difficult conditions.

Guiu shone particularly bright as he bullied the Astana centre-backs and walked away with a brace, while Rak-Sakyi showed immense composure in possession. George, one of Chelsea’s most highly rated academy stars, offered glimpses of his speed and ingenuity down the left wing as he regularly looked to open his account.

Those who rose from the bench, such as Ato Ampah and Harvey Vale, also provided energy and intensity as Chelsea secured victory, with a number of youngsters enjoying memorable evenings and debuts.

Chelsea have had at issues at right-back this season following injuries to Reece James and Malo Gusto, providing a perfect opportunity for the club’s academy to shine. However, Josh Acheampong, one of Cobham’s brightest, had been in exile for the majority of the season after a contract standoff with the Blues.

Despite having more than 18 months left on his current deal, Acheampong has been ostracised in west London, missing opportunities to develop with the academy or in appetising Europa Conference League fixtures. But a recent return to training paved the way for the talented right-back to start in Kazakhstan as Maresca rung the changes.

Acheampong was not regularly called upon from a defensive standpoint but it’s notable that the bulk of Astana’s most promising moments came down the other flank. It was a comfortable return for the 18-year-old, who was stern in the challenge and energetic down the wing.

Understandably, the youngsters in Chelsea’s ranks drew most of the attention, but Dewsbury-Hall was the calming presence that facilitated them. The 26-year-old showed the necessary maturity in a youthful midfield, leading by example in the engine room.

The former Leicester City midfielder will be frustrated by his lack of Premier League minutes this term but he has always conducted himself well when called upon in Europe. Never sulking or looking disinterested, the box-to-boxer can always be relied upon by Maresca.

Dewsbury-Hall created four chances as he looked to pull the strings in Almaty, grabbing an assist with an inch-perfect cross for Veiga before the break. He also made six recoveries and two interceptions when Chelsea surrendered possession.

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