Game is over and the final score is 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-2 Chelsea. Here is the match report.
2024/2025 UEFA Europa Conference League
0-2
Match Report
CHELSEA’S second string maintained their 100 per cent record in the third tier of European competition - but not without a number of scares.
Top scorer Christopher Nkunku claimed his seventh goal in the Europa Conference League and on another night might have had a hat-trick.
But Heidenheim, who also went into the game with three wins from three, caused plenty of problems for the Blues.
Blues goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made a string of saves, the best of them after Nkunku’s goal and before Mykhailo Mudryk sealed victory with less than five minutes to go.
And apart from Jadon Sancho, none of the other outfield players in the cream-coloured kit made much of a case to rise into the first 11 for Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa.
As usual Enzo Maresca made wholesale changes from his first 11, with only Benoit Badiashile keeping his place from the win at Leicester.
But Chelsea learned within a minute that it would not be another Thursday night stroll.
Badiashile was booked for fouling Heidenheim winger Leonardo Scienza and Mikkel Kaufmann almost touched in the resulting free kick.
It was an entertaining, end-to-end game in a festive atmosphere.
Marc Guiu, twice, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had shots saved, while Jorgensen denied Kaufmann, Scienza and Mathias Honsak.
After Nkunku spooned a finish over the bar, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Mykhailo Mudryk went flying over a challenge by home captain Patrick Mainka.
But Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk went back on his decision after being summoned to the VAR monitor.
Nkunku drew another save from home ‘keeper Kevin Muller, Tosin Adarabioyo shot just wide and the half somehow ended 0-0.
Heidenheim had another chance before Nkunku broke the deadlock.
Sancho’s cross sat up nicely and the France international found a fine finish.
The home side, with their supporters keeping up constant noise behind the goal they were attacking, kept going and Scienza curled a shot just wide.
Wanner should have equalised, but Jorgensen made a fine save and then another from Scienza’s follow-up.
Substitute Joao Felix sent Nkunku through on the break but Muller kept his team in it with another save.
Home sub Maximilian Breunig had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside and Muller denied Dewsbury-Hall at the other end.
Mudryk finally killed the game with an emphatic shot into the top corner after more good work by Sancho.
Cesare Casadei was sent off for a second yellow card deep into stoppage time, which reflected a tough but ultimately successful evening for the Blues.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
2' Yellow Card! Benoît Badiashile booked for a bad foul!
2' Mikkel Kaufmann right footed shot is close but misses to the left!
10' Marc Guiu left footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the right!
17' Marc Guiu left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved!
22' Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left footed shot from outside the box is saved!
25' Paul Wanner left footed shot is saved in the bottom left corner!
27' Christopher Nkunku right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high!
33' Mykhailo Mudryk kicked down in the box but no penalty for Chelsea!
37' Nkunku left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved!
48' Highlight from 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea
51' GOAL! Nkunku scores with assist by Sancho! 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-1 Chelsea
56' Scienza right footed shot from outside the box saved in the bottom left corner!
62' João Félix replaces Marc Guiu!
68' Assisted by Félix with a through ball but Nkunku's shot is saved by goalkeeper!
74' Highlight from 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea
75' Highlight from 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea
78' Highlight from 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea
86' GOAL! Mudryk nets as Sancho sends great pass! 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-2 Chelsea
87' Highlight from 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea
Line-ups
1.FC Heidenheim 1846 XI: Norman Theuerkauf, Kevin Müller, Patrick Mainka, Mathias Honsak, Dorsch, Lennard Maloney, Tim Siersleben, Omar Traoré, Mikkel Kaufmann, Leo Scienza, Paul Wanner
Subs: Vitus Eicher, Marnon Busch, Jonas Föhrenbach, Sirlord Conteh, Benedikt Gimber, Adrian Beck, Jan Schöppner, Maximilian Breunig, Luca Kerber, Frank Feller, Christopher Negele, Luka Janes
Chelsea XI: T.Adarabioyo, Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Sancho, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Benoît Badiashile, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Filip Jørgensen, Cesare Casadei, Renato Veiga, Marc Guiu
Subs: Robert Sánchez, Felix, Noni Madueke, Lucas Bergström, Carney Chukwuemeka, Levi Colwill, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Shumaira Mheuka