Chelsea had to work much harder for Thursday night’s Conference League win over Heidenheim than they have done in previous matchdays in the competition.
It was a pretty even contest overall, Enzo Maresca’s team eventually going in front early in the second half through Christopher Nkunku and doubling that advantage towards the end of the game, courtesy of Mykhailo Mudryk.
But a raw Heidenheim were never out of the game and a more polished performance from them could have made this a quite different result in the end.
Nkunku strikes again
As much as Chelsea were put under pressure from Heidenheim, there were also plenty of opportunities to ultimately be out of sight. Christopher Nkunku was guilty of missing one of those, a breakaway one-on-one that he couldn’t convert.
But the Frenchman did break the deadlock with a calm and composed finish, his seventh Conference League goal in six games – including qualifiers – so far this season. He isn’t a starter in the Premier League, mainly because of Cole Palmer, but Chelsea can rely on him in Europe.
Unfortunately, injury seemed to end Nkunku’s night with around 15 minutes to play. He didn’t quite look in full flight when he was played in for that aforementioned one-on-one and was substituted quickly afterwards following a short period of treatment on the pitch.
source – Heidenheim 0-2 Chelsea: Match report and talking points as Jorgensen delivers statement performance
