Chelsea maintained their perfect record in the Conference League with a hard earned 2-0 victory at Germany's Heidenheim on Thursday, with former Bundesliga players Christopher Nkunku and Jadon Sancho playing a key role.
Heidenheim failed to fully clear a Chelsea attack and twice German Cup winner with RB Leipzig Nkunku controlled a cross from Sancho well to beat a defender and fire home in the 51st minute.
Former Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho then also set up Mykhailo Mudryk to fire the decisive second into the top right corner in the 86th minute.
Chelsea youngster Cesare Casadei was sent off for a second bookable offence deep into stoppage time.
"I feel like we could have played better, if I'm being honest," Sancho said.
"But for most of the game, we controlled it. We just also had moments where we were a bit lucky. But other than that, we kept a clean sheet, and we got the two goals."
Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt said: "We played a really good game and left our heart on the pitch.
We could’ve had more tonight, but at the end we also saw their quality. "But I can’t blame my team for anything – the only thing we were missing was the goal at the right moment."
It was the biggest test so far in Europe's third tier event for Chelsea, whose goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made big saves against Paul Wanner, an 18-year-old talent on loan to Heidenheim from Bayern Munich.
Heidenheim also had two goals from substitute Maximilian Breunig nullified for offside in one of their biggest matches in club history.
Chelsea had chances on their own, with 18-year-old Marc Guiu denied by goalkeeper Kevin Müller who was also on his guard against Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and another effort from Nkunku.
Chelsea, whose manager Enzo Maresca again mainly fielded players who are not regular starters in the Premier League where they rank third, have a maximum 12 points from four matches.
Heidenheim remain on nine after their first defeat in a maiden European competition after finishing their debut Bundesliga season in eighth place.
- Chelsea
- Heidenheim
- Conference League
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
