In a friendly game for the UEFA Conference League 2024/2025 season, Chelsea and Gent have played with each other where Enzo Maresca was the chief coach of the Chelsea team, and he had given a lot of changes in the starting line-up. This strategic decision points to Chelsea statement on how they handle the league and cup matches knowing that they have different formations they have been using.
In this clash, the team included a combination of experienced players and young potentials for Chelsea. The starting XI included:
Goalkeeper: Filip Jörgensen
Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, and Renato Veiga
Midfielders: Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Forwards: Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, and Mykhailo Mudryk
To the same note, Cole Palmer was not allowed to participate in this tournament while Nicolas Jackson was benched, giving an opportunity to other players to perform under the European soil.
The change of the playing team proved rewarding for Chelsea, and they beat Gent, 4-2. The goals were created by different players; the first goal of the match was scored by Renato Veiga. Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also got on the scoresheet, proving that Chelsea has a pool of talents this season.
That game was a good start for Chelsea in the Conference League group phase, though the Blues left the evening seated in the sixth position on the table after the week’s match because of a stoppage-time consolation goal from Omri Gent Gandelman.
As Chelsea progresses through the multiple competitions, fans can expect to see the effects of this sort of rotating strategy as the team plays out the season.
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