Europa Conference League draw LIVE: Chelsea get DREAM path to the final as they avoid big hitters – updates
CHELSEA were handed a DREAM path to the final of the Europa Conference League.Enzo Maresca’s Blues are massive favourites for the competition after they come through the group phase with six wins and 25 goals, all while resting Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.Chelsea will face Copenhagen in the round of 16 then the winner, and then the winner of Molde vs Legia Warsaw – importantly, the likes of Fiorentina and Real Betis are on the other side of the draw.The Round of 16 matches take place on March 6/13, while the quarter-finals are on April 10/17.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow ALL of the latest updates below…Making historyAs well as silverware, there are two big incentives for Chelsea to win this year’s Conference League.If they do so, they will become the first side to triumph in all three of Uefa’s main competitions.While winning it will also guarantee a place in next season’s Europa League – should their form in the Premier League drop away. Credit: PACopy linkCopiedChelsea’s route to the finalEnzo Maresca’s Blues are the big favourites to lift the Conference League after blitzing their way through the group stages.Following today’s draw, here’s their route to the final on May 28.Round of 16: CopenhagenQuarter-final: Molde or Legia WarsawSemi-final: Pafos, Djurgarden, Borac or SK RapidFinal: Real Betis, Vitoria SC, Jagielloina, Cercle Brugge, Celje, Lugano, Panathinaikos or FiorentinaCredit: PACopy linkCopiedDates for the diaryWith the final draw of the season now complete, we now know the route to the final in Warsaw in May.Here’s the schedule for the Conference League over the next 99 days: Round of 16: 6 & 13 MarchQuarter-finals: 10 & 17 AprilSemi-finals: 1 & 8 MayFinal: 28 MayCredit: EPACopy linkCopiedUefa make ‘exception’ for Chelsea and SpursUefa rules usually prevent two clubs in the same city, or within a 50km radius, hosting European matches on the same day.But the organisation have reportedly relaxed rules ahead of Chelsea and Spurs now both being in action on March 13.Chelsea will host Copenhagen at Stamford Bridge, while Tottenham welcome AZ Alkmaar to North London in the Europa League. Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedKeep Palm and carry onChelsea won all of their group stage games on their way to the Conference League knockouts. Cole Palmer wasn’t registered by the club in the early stages of the competition, with the club preferring to keep the England star fit for domestic action.But Chelsea have now activated Palmer for the remainder of the tournament. Trevoh Chalobah and Mathis Amougou will also be available to Enzo Maresca against Copenhagen. Copy linkCopiedConference League draw in fullIf you’re just joining us after your lunch break, here’s a reminder of how the Conference League draw played out. Jagiellonia Bialystok vs Cercle BruggeMolde vs Legia WarsawCelje vs LuganoPafos vs DjurgardenPanathinaikos vs FiorentinaBorac vs Rapid ViennaReal Betis vs VitoriaCopenhagen vs ChelseaCredit: EPACopy linkCopiedMaresca rallying cryChelsea’s Enzo Maresca maintains that the Blues are targeting a top-four spot this season.And he’s called on Chelsea fans to stop looking backwards and instead embrace the run-in. Maresca said: “The only thing I can say is that every time the fans have been behind us, we really appreciate because we are sure that with the fans behind we can achieve soon our target.”We mention many times that when you can hear the fans pushing in behind [you], it is a nice feeling.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedChelsea vs Copenhagen head-to-headThe Blues are no strangers to the Danish club, with the last meeting coming in 2011.On that occasion, Copenhagen frustrated Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge. In the reverse fixture, a Nicolas Anelka brace gave Chelsea all three points in the Danish capital.Chelsea 1-1 Copenhagen – 22 October 1998, Cup Winners CupCopenhagen 0-1 Chelsea – 5 November 1998, Cup Winners CupCopenhagen 0-2 Chelsea – 22 February 2011, Champions LeagueChelsea 0-0 Copenhagen – 16 March 2011, Champions LeagueCopy linkCopiedAll Bets are offChelsea could be on a potential collision course with Real Betis if they reach the Conference League final.The Spanish side are currently 8th in LaLiga.Manchester United winger Antony is on loan at the club – and has hit three goals in five games since moving to Spain .Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – Blues learn fateChelsea will take on FC Copenhagen for a place in the last-eight of the Europa Conference League.The winner of that tie will face either Molde or Legia Warsaw in the quarters.While Enzo Maresca’s side are on the other side of the draw to both Fiorentina and Real Betis. Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw semi-final bracketSemi-final 1Jagiellonia Bialystok or Cercle Brugge vs Real Betis or VitoriaCelje or Lugano vs Panathinaikos or FiorentinaSemi-final 2Copenhagen or Chelsea vs Molde or Legia WarsawPafos or Djurgarden vs Borac or Rapid ViennaCredit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw quarter-final bracketJagiellonia Bialystok or Cercle Brugge vs Real Betis or VitoriaCelje or Lugano vs Panathinaikos or FiorentinaCopenhagen or Chelsea vs Molde or Legia WarsawPafos or Djurgarden vs Borac or Rapid ViennaCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw in fullJagiellonia Bialystok vs Cercle BruggeMolde vs Legia WarsawCelje vs LuganoPafos vs DjurgardenPanathinaikos vs FiorentinaBorac vs Rapid ViennaReal Betis vs VitoriaCopenhagen vs ChelseaCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestCopenhagen vs ChelseaCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestReal Betis vs Vitoria Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestBorac vs Rapid ViennaCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestPanathinaikos vs FiorentinaCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestPafos vs DjurgardenCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestCelje vs Lugano Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestMolde vs Legia WarsawCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestJagiellonia Bialystok vs Cercle BruggeCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestConvoluted draw explainer video finally over, time to get underway…Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestMichal Zewlakow is the legend introduced to draw out the ties.18 goals in over 450 career games – his entire montage consists of bone-crunching tackles and fist pumps to the crowd.Proper player. He also tips Chelsea to go all the way…Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestIt wouldn’t be a Uefa event without montages.We’re currently in the middle of a lengthy introduction, with all 16 teams getting their own slot. Draw soon…promise. Copy linkCopiedEuropa Conference League draw – latestAnother set change in Nyon for the third draw of the day. Pedro Pinto is earning his coin. He hosts yet again with Uefa bigwig Giorgio Marchetti about to introduce a legend to draw the ties. Credit: AFPCopy linkCopied More