1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-2 Chelsea: Nkunku & Mudryk score, Casadei sent off late

Game is over and the final score is 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-2 Chelsea. Here is the match report.

UEFA Europa Conference League 2024/2025

0-2

• Nkunku (51')
• Mychajlo Mudryk (86')

Match report

CHELSEA'S second string maintained its 100 percent record in the third tier of European competition, but not without some scares.

Top scorer Christopher Nkunku scored his seventh goal in the Europa Conference League and might have scored a hat-trick on another night.

But Heidenheim, who also started the match with three wins from three, caused enough problems The Blues.

Blues goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made a series of saves, the best of which came after Nkunku's goal and before Mykhailo Mudryk sealed the victory with under five minutes remaining.

And apart from Jadon Sancho, none of the other outfield players in the cream kit were pushing for a place in the first eleven for Sunday's match against Aston Villa.

As usual, Enzo Maresca made big changes from his starting XI, with only Benoit Badiashile retaining his place after the win at Leicester.

But Chelsea learned within a minute that it wasn't going to be another Thursday night stroll.

Badiashile was shown a yellow card for a foul on 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 scored a finish over the crossbar, Chelsea were awarded a penalty when Mykhailo Mudryk flew over a challenge from home captain Patrick Mainka.

But Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk reversed his decision after being called to the VAR monitor.

Nkunku pulled off another save from home keeper Kevin Muller, Tosin Adarabioyo shot just wide and half-time somehow ended 0-0.

Heidenheim had another chance before Nkunku broke the deadlock.

Sancho's cross stayed up nicely and the France international found a fine finish.

The home side, with their supporters making constant noise behind the goal they were attacking, kept going and Scienza curled a shot just wide.

Wanner should have scored the equalizer, but Jorgensen made a fine save and then another from Scienza's successor.

Substitute Joao Felix sent Nkunku through at halftime, but Muller kept his team in it with another save.

Home substitute 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 eventually killed the match with an emphatic shot into the top corner after another good work from Sancho.

Cesare Casadei was shown a second yellow card deep into stoppage time, reflecting a tough but ultimately successful evening for the Blues.

Competition events

0' The match is about to start!

2' yellow card! Benoît Badiashile gets a yellow card after a serious foul!

2' Mikkel Kaufmann's right footed shot almost hits the mark, but too far to the left!

10' Marc Guiu left footed shot from the center of the box misses to the right!

17' Marc Guiu left footed shot from the center of the box saved!

22' Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left footed shot from outside the penalty area saved!

25' Paul Wanner left footed shot 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 kicks into the penalty area, but no penalty for Chelsea!

37' Nkunku left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box saved!

48' Highlight of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea

51' GOAL! Nkunku scores with an assist from Sancho! 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-1 Chelsea

56' Scienza right footed shot from outside the box saved to 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 the goalkeeper!

74' Highlight of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea

75' Highlight of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea

78' Highlight of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea

86' GOAL! Mudryk scores while Sancho makes a great pass! 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 0-2 Chelsea

87' Highlight of 1.FC Heidenheim 1846 vs Chelsea

Setups

1.FC Heidenheim 1846

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

Subs: Robert Sánchez, Felix, Noni Madueke, Lucas Bergström, Carney Chukwuemeka, Levi Colwill, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Shumaira Mheuka