Renato Veiga (right) celebrates after scoring Chelsea’s third goal against Astana in the UEFA Conference League.
Image credit: CFC_Carneyy
Chelsea continued their flawless campaign in the UEFA Conference League with a commanding 3-1 victory over Astana in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Despite freezing temperatures of -11°C and a grueling 7,000-mile round trip, the Blues showed resilience and class to maintain their perfect record in the league phase.
The match saw a heavily rotated Chelsea side, with manager Enzo Maresca making ten changes to manage a congested December fixture schedule. The gamble paid off, as the fringe players seized the opportunity to shine.
Eighteen-year-old Marc Guiu was the star of the show, opening the scoring in the 14th minute with a dazzling solo run and clinical finish. Just four minutes later, Guiu’s shot from Pedro Neto’s cross deflected off Astana’s Aleksandr Marochkin for an own goal, doubling Chelsea’s lead.
Renato Veiga added a third in the 39th minute, heading in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s corner to give the Blues complete control.
Astana briefly fought back with a moment of brilliance from Marin Tomasov, who curled a stunning strike into the top corner just before half-time.
However, Chelsea comfortably managed the second half, keeping Astana at bay and securing their fifth consecutive win in the competition.
The victory guarantees Chelsea a top-eight finish in the league phase, effectively securing their place in the Round of 16. They remain at the summit of the standings with 15 points, three clear of Legia Warsaw, who have also been dominant in the competition.
Chelsea’s young talents made their mark, with Guiu, Veiga, and 18-year-olds Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong impressing. Maresca’s strategy of squad rotation appears to be paying dividends, as the team’s depth continues to deliver results during a packed schedule.
The Blues will round off the league stage against Shamrock Rovers on December 19, aiming to maintain their perfect record and carry momentum into the knockout rounds.
With this performance, Chelsea not only showcased their strength in depth but also sent a clear message to their European rivals: they mean business in their pursuit of silverware this season.