Chelsea vs. Copenhagen starting lineups: Enzo Maresca makes surprise decisions for Conference League fixture

How many changes? Chelsea, Copenhagen starting lineups confirmed
© Imago
Chelsea and Copenhagen confirm their starting lineups for the second leg of their Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

Chelsea and Copenhagen have confirmed their starting lineups for Thursday's Conference League fixture at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues head into the second leg of their last-16 tie with the Danish outfit holding a 2-1 advantage from last week's first leg.

Enzo Maresca has still opted to make several alterations to his first XI, including handing a rare start to Josh Acheampong at right-back.

Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen has also come back into the side, while Benoit Badiashile will seemingly start at left-back rather than in the middle of defence.

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are both selected in the engine room, with Reece James only selected on the substitutes' bench despite his return from illness.

Teenager Tyrique George is presented with another start on the flank, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in line to take on the number 10 role with Cole Palmer only named among the replacements.

Pedro Neto retains his spot down the middle of the attack with Maresca choosing to make a total of six changes from the 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday.

Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup on October 18, 2024© Imago

Copenhagen make four alterations

Meanwhile, Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup has made four changes to the team that started the 1-1 draw with Sonderjyske on the same day.

Mohamed Elyounoussi, formerly of Southampton and Celtic, is a notable inclusion on the right flank, while Thomas Delaney is able to take his spot on the substitutes' bench after illness.

Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Chalobah, Tosin, Badiashile; Caicedo, Fernandez; George, Dewsbury-Hall, Sancho; Neto

Subs: Sanchez, Bergstrom, Colwill, Murray-Campbell, Cucurella, Antwi, James, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Mheuka, Nkunku

Copenhagen XI: Ramaj; Huescas, Hatzidiakos, Diks, Gabriel, Meling; Elyounoussi, Froholdt, Clem, Achouri; Claesson

Subs: Trott, Garananga, Mattsson, Larsson, Lerager, Robert, Chiakha, Gocholeishvili, Delaney, Runarsson, Falk

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Written by
Darren Plant

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Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer in November 2024.
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