Chelsea shines with youthful brilliance against Astana.© (@BwessWarrior )
Chelsea secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Astana in Kazakhstan, making it five wins from five in the Conference League group stage and effectively confirming a place in the last 16. Playing in sub-zero temperatures, manager Enzo Maresca fielded a heavily rotated side featuring several academy graduates and fringe players eager to make an impression.
Marc Guiu stole the spotlight with a brace, delivering two clinical finishes early in the match that put Chelsea firmly in control. Renato Veiga added a third with a powerful header, capitalizing on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s precise corner delivery. Veiga’s goal came so effortlessly it seemed to signal an impending rout, but Astana managed to regroup, reducing the deficit with a strike from Marin Tomasov before halftime.
Josh Acheampong was a notable performer, finally earning his first Chelsea start after a prolonged absence due to a contract impasse. Acheampong delivered a composed display in defence, showcasing the depth of Chelsea’s academy pipeline. Meanwhile, Carney Chukwuemeka was impressed with positive, energetic play at the start of the season and came close to scoring himself.
Captain for the night, Axel Disasi, though largely untroubled, provided stability in defence, while Tosin Adarabioyo made a crucial interception early in the second half to thwart an Astana counterattack. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen had little to do throughout the game and was left helpless by Tomasov’s strike.
Despite the win, Chelsea’s second-half performance lacked the fluidity of the first, with Astana growing into the game and testing the Blues’ defensive organization. However, Maresca’s side managed the final stages professionally, ensuring the result was never in doubt.
This match also saw three players make their senior debuts off the bench, a testament to the opportunities provided by Maresca’s rotation policy in Europe. Chelsea now return to London with another step forward in their European campaign, bolstered by the performances of emerging talents and squad players eager to make their mark.
