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      Conference League clash suspended as police evacuate entire away stand after shameful scenes

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      POLICE have evacuated away yobs after a Conference League clash was suspended.The tie between NK Olimpija Ljubljana and HNK Rijeka was brought to a halt after flares were thrown into the home stands.A Conference League clash was suspendedCredit: xFlares were thrown into one of the standsCredit: xThe Rijeka hooligans were escorted out by policeCredit: xThe match was stopped in the 65th minute, and the players were taken into the dressing rooms.Reports online have claimed that the Rijeka hooligans started to fight with police who were confronting them.The yobs were then escorted out of the Stožice Stadium in Slovenia.The suspension of the match lasted 26 minutes and was restarted with the away stand empty of fans.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFans slammed the actions of the away hooligans as they reacted on social media.One posted: “Just call off the game.”A second wrote: “This is the biggest disaster in Croatian football since I can remember. Shame.”A third commented: “Croatia should be banned from football.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSA fourth said: “Those idiots have acted shamefully.”Another added: “I hope those supporters that were near the flares are okay.”The Sun’s Shaun Custis and Martin Lipton break down the new changes for the UEFA Champions League format for 2024/25The yobs were slammed by fans onlineThe match was suspended for nearly half an hourThe incident did little to dampen the joy of the Olimpija supporters.Their team has romped into a 5-0 lead inside the first half with the score 6-1 on aggregate.Raul Florucz opened the scoring in the 2nd minute before goals from Thalisson Charles Alves Moreira (x2), Dino Kojic and Perdo Lucas put the result to bed.Elsewhere in the competition, Chelsea took on Swiss side Servette in the second leg of their play-off tie.The Blues were forced to stream the match for free for their supporters due to a website error.New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season. More

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      Chelsea forced to stream Servette clash for FREE as website error leaves fans unable to buy £4.99 broadcast

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      CHELSEA were forced into streaming their clash against Servette for free due to an error after initially charging £4.99The Blues face the Swiss side in the Europa Conference League play-off round tonight.Chelsea fans were greeted by an error messageThe club eventually performed a U-turn and streamed the game for freeCredit: GettyWith the game not live on TV, supporters tuned in to the club’s stream and paid £4.99 for access. But fans were left unable to watch the match as the website displayed an error message.The technical problem saw fans stuck on a screen that said: “Stream temporarily unavailable.”Others supporters were left unable to purchase the match. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Chelsea faithful raged: “Brought the stream earlier now says I don’t have it. Tried to log out to log back in and now it won’t even let me do that.”Another added: “Chelsea won’t let me buy the stream, it’s almost like they don’t want me spending £4.99.”More raged: “Would love to watch on the official Chelsea app and website but we physical cannot. Your s*** isn’t working.”Eventually, the club performed a U-turn on their decision to charge for the game and streamed it to supporters for free.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPeople who paid are now expected to be refunded.Chelsea came into the tie 2-0 up after the first leg at Stamford Bridge. A win will see the Blues qualify for the group stages of the Conference League.SunSport’s Latest Transfer HeadlinesPlayers signed under Boehly at ChelseaRaheem Sterling – £50mKalidou Koulibaly £33mGabriel Slonina – £8mCarney Chukweumeka – £20mMarc Cucurella – £57.5mCesare Casadei – £13.3mWesley Fofana – £70mPierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3mDenis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)David Datro Fofana – £10.6mBenoit Badiashile – £33.7mAndrey Santos – £11.1mJoao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m Noni Madueke – £30mMalo Gusto – £26.75mEnzo Fernandez – £107.8mChristopher Nkunku – £52mDiego Moreira – FREENicolas Jackson – £31.5mAngelo Gabriel – £13mLesley Ugochukwu – £23.3mAxel Disasi – £38.9mRobert Sanchez – £20mMoises Caicedo – £115mRomeo Lavia – £53.2mDeivid Washington – £13.7mCole Palmer – £40.1mDjordje Petrovic – £13.6mTosin Adarabioyo – FREEMarc Guiu – £5.1mCaleb Wiley – £8.63mRenato Veiga – £12mAarón Anselmino – £14mOmari Kellyman – £19.2mFilip Jorgensen – £21mKiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2mPedro Neto – £51mJoao Felix – £42.6mMike Penders – £17m More

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      What is the new Champions League format and how does it work?

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      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football has produced some of the best matches the world has ever seen – but this season will be like no other.Jude Bellingham capped off his incredible debut season for Real Madrid by helping Los Blancos seal their 15th Champions League triumph in the 2023/24 final.Real Madrid celebrated their 15th Champions League in styleCredit: GettyCHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW LIVEAnd the midfield maestro will be hoping his side can fend off English giants Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal to retain the title.But all teams are set to have a completely new route to the final courtesy of what will now be a league format.Luckily for fans, SunSport can give a clear explanation on how it will all work below.Read more on Champions League What is the new Champions League format?There will be one league table that all 36 qualified teams will participate in.Each club will play eight matches in the opening phase – four home games and four away games against seeded opposition in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.Clubs will only face other sides based on the pot they have been drawn out of and teams cannot face more than two opponents from the same country or from the same association.The top eight teams in the final table will automatically go through to the last 16.Most read in Champions LeagueThey will then be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides who were placed ninth to 24th in the table.Teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated from all European competitions this season – meaning that they will not drop into the Europa League similar to previous years.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.How will the knockout stages work?As mentioned earlier, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last 16 while those who place ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off for the chance to join them.Then from the last 16 onwards, the Champions League will continue to follow its previous format with the final taking place in a neutral venue.Teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated from the competition and will NOT drop into the Europa League.What does this mean for the Europa League and Europa Conference League?Both competitions will see similar changes to those of the Champions League and will both feature 36 teams.The Europa League will follow the exact same format READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile, teams in the Europa Conference League will play six matches against six different opponents in the league phase. More

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      How much each Premier League club will earn from Europe without even kicking a ball with Chelsea set for paltry payment

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are set to earn a pretty penny from Uefa before they even kick a ball in Europe this season.Seven English clubs will be competing across the three Uefa club competitions, which have undergone a radical format change.The format in Uefa competition will see Premier League clubs earn some cool prize money without kicking a ballCredit: AFPPep Guardiola’s Manchester City are in line to earn the mostCredit: RexArsenal will earn a lovely windfall before kicking a ballCredit: GettyChelsea will earn only a comparatively small figure after being bumped down in the Conference League by Man Utd’s FA Cup successCredit: RexThis new set-up puts them in a Swiss-style league system, instead of the previously adopted eight groups of four with the top two progressing.Now, each club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams overall play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over ten midweek slots.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut how much will each team earn from the new Uefa package?Kicking us off are Premier League champions Manchester City.Pep Guardiola is hoping to land a second European title with the club this season.Winning every match in the Champions League alone could see them earn somewhere in the region of £140million-£145m.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut before a ball has even been kicked they are in line to receive £53m from the new package.Liverpool will earn at least £51m from the deal, Arsenal about £46m and Aston Villa give or take around £33m.SunSport’s Latest Transfer HeadlinesBy comparison, the Europa League offers a far less bountiful starting prize pool.Tottenham, who qualified for the competition through a fifth-place league finish, will earn £12m.This figure is the same as what Manchester United, who qualified through winning the FA Cup, will also receive.Meanwhile, Chelsea – who were knocked out of the Europa League and into the Europa Conference League because of United’s FA Cup triumph – are in line to earn just £5m.The new automated Champions League league phase draw is due to take place at 5pm on Thursday evening at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco.The Europa League and Conference League draws are then due to take place the following day at 12pm and 1.30pm respectively.New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season.The pots for the Champions League are as follows:Pot 1:Real MadridBayern MunichParis Saint-GermainInter MilanBorussia DortmundRB LeipzigBarcelonaManchester CityLiverpoolPot 2:Bayer LeverkusenAtletico MadridAtalantaJuventusBenficaClub BruggeShakhtar DonetskAC MilanArsenalPot 3:FeyenoordSporting CPPSV EindhovenCelticWinner of Young Boys v Galatasaray play-offWinner of Dinamo Zagreb v Qarabag play-offWinner of Lille v Slavia Prague play-offTBD (see below)TBD (see below)Pot 4MonacoAston VillaBolognaGironaVfB StuttgartSturm GrazBrestWinner of Malma v Sparta Prague play-offTBD (see below)Who will fill the TBD spots?The spots that you can not accurately predict come down to three play-off games – here are the matches in question:READ MORE SUN STORIESMidtjylland v Slovan BratislavaBodo/Glimt v Red Star BelgradeDynamo Kyiv v Red Bull SalzburgThe qualifying side with the lowest coefficient will go into Pot 4, with the others going into Pot 3. More

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      When is the Conference League 2024/25 draw? Date, time, FREE live stream and TV channel for huge new league phase format

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      THE Conference League draw will take place this week as sides await their fate for the brand new league phase.Last year saw Olympiacos take home the title after they beat Fiorentina 1-0 after extra time.Olympiacos lifted the Uefa Europa Conference League Trophy last seasonCredit: GettyThrylos became the first Greek club to win a major European trophy following their triumph in Athens.Chelsea are set to be the only English team competing in the competition this season, should they not slip up against Servette in their play-off second leg later this week.SunSport has all the details you need on the new Conference League format and the upcoming draw.What is the new Conference League format?Like the Champions League and the Europa League, the Conference League will also ditch the traditional group stage format.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInstead, the three European competitions will adopt a brand new league phase.The Conference League will have a 36-team league stage, with each side facing six different teams, three at home and three away.The top eight of the overall table advance to the round of 16, while sides finishing ninth to 24th will contest the knockout round play-offs, with the victors filling the remaining spots in the last 16.From then on, the traditional knockout rules will apply.Most read in FootballWhen is the Conference League draw?The Conference League league phase draw will take place on Friday, August 30.The draw is set to begin at 1.30pm BST.The Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, will host.How to watch the Conference League draw FREE?The Conference League draw will be broadcast live for free on Uefa.com.TNT Sports 1 will broadcast the draw live on TV.Alternatively, you can follow SunSport’s live blog to find out all the ties from the draw.When are the 2024/25 Conference League league stage matches?Matchday 1: October 3, 2024Matchday 2: October 24, 2024Matchday 3: November, 7, 2024Matchday 4: November, 28, 2024Matchday 5: December, 12, 2024Matchday 6: December, 19, 2024When is the 2024/25 Conference League knockout stage?Knockout round play-offs: February 13 and 20, 2025Round of 16: March 6 and 13, 2025Quarter-finals: April 10 and 17, 2025Semi-finals: May 1 and 8, 2025Final: May 28, 2025 More

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      Fans say ‘that’s clearest red you’ll ever see’ as Conference League star escapes sending off for horror two-footed lunge

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      FOOTIE fans were left stunned after a horror tackle went unpunished in the Europa Conference League qualifiers on Thursday night.The horrific challenge occurred during Welsh side The New Saints FC’s trip to Lithuania to play FK Panevezys in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier.Nicolas Gorbosov’s out in a horror tackle in FK Panevezys’s clash with The New Saints FCThe Argentine crushed TNS midfielder Jack Bodenham, who thankfully avoided serious injuryPanevezys midfielder Nicolas Gorbosov recklessly put in a stomaching-churning two-footed challenge on TNS defender Jack Bodenham.Gorbosov, 34, leapt off the ground with both feet as Bodenham tried to play the ball at the touchline with his left foot.And the Argentine stamped down with his studs showing as the 24-year-old passed the ball.Thankfully for Bodenham, his left leg wasn’t fully planted as Gorbosov’s horrific attempt of a challenge connected with him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe tackle looked like an instant red card in real time but the referee didn’t give Gorbosov his marching orders, instead going to the VAR.And much to the shock of TNS fans and players alike, the video assistant referee didn’t deem the tackle worthy of a red card.The challenge went viral on social media and received a slew of comments, with one viewer saying: “Deary me.”As clear a red you’ll see for a decade.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTNS ran out 3-0 winners against their Lithuanian oppositionCredit: TNSAnother said: “Literally jumps in 2 footed. Gone to do him. That’s a bad one.”And another said: “Studs first, excessive force, not in control…how is this not a sending off on several levels?”Viktoria Plzen 1 Hearts 0 – Steven Naismith reflects and Robert Martin rounds up the Europa League play-off first leg in CzechiaOne remarked: “Shocking tackle.”Another chimed in: “Clearest red you’ll ever see.”TNS moved to within touching distance of the group stages of Europe’s third-ranked club competition with a 3-0 win in Lithuania.Second-half goals from Daniel James Davies, Daniel Williams and Ben Clark put the club on the brink of Welsh history.Should they avoid a four-goal defeat in their return leg at Park Hall next week, they’ll become the FIRST-EVER Welsh side to qualify for the group stage of a European club competition. More

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      Chelsea 2-0 Servette LIVE RESULT: Nkunku and Madueke score as Blues seal win in Europa Conference League play-off

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      ENZO MARESCA picked up his first win as Chelsea boss as the Blues defeated Swiss side Servette 2-0 in their European Conference League play-off first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge.In a much improved performance in the second half, Christopher Nkunku and sub Noni Madueke gave Chelsea a commanding lead in the tie.Blues boss Maresca made several changes from last weekend with summer signings Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tosin Adarabioyo ALL starting.But Raheem Sterling did not feature as he edges closer to a Stamford Bridge exit.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea ‘played with fire’ says MarescaMaresca believes his side can learn from the way their win over Servette ended.The Chelsea boss said: “I was a bit worried because in the last 10 minutes we played a little bit with fire because we could managed the game completely differently. It was good that we didn’t concede but we can learn.”Copy linkCopiedReady to help MudrykMaresca has revealed he is keen to help Mudryk “change”, explaining: “This is the mission, this is Mudryk, not only tonight but since he joined the club.”I think he had good moments but when he has the ball you don’t know if you’ll get one thing or another.”It is consistency. We are going to try and help him to change. When he is in the final third it is is taking the right decision. Most of his mistakes are about the choice.”Copy linkCopiedMaresca on GuiuContinuing his press conference, Maresca added: “The game first half was for Marc Guiu.”There was a lot of space for him to drop and give us an extra man. He struggled a lit bit. The intention was to give him minutes but he had to behave as a midfielder.”I told him he probably doesn’t like easy goals, he likes more difficult ones. He is the youngest in the squad, he works for the ball, runs a lot presses…he is going to score for sure.”Copy linkCopiedMore from MarescaEnzo Maresca has also called for consistency from goalscorer Noni Madueke.He said: “Noni is a player I like. He is doing well but the thing he has to improve is consistency every day and work hard and then he will get minutes for sure.”Copy linkCopiedMaresca on Palmer knockCole Palmer appeared to be wincing as he left the pitch, with Enzo Maresca revealing he “looks fine” despite the scare.The Chelsea boss explained: “Cole felt something but he looks fine. Hopefully it is no problem and he can be available for Sunday’s game.”We are learning how to manage the game. Keeping the ball is the correct intention at 2-0 up but where is not good, in our half.”We need to do the same on the opposite side. It was important to win the game with nine changes. There were many good things.”Copy linkCopiedFT: Chelsea 2-0 ServetteChelsea will take a 2-0 lead to Switzerland for their Conference League play-off second leg next week.Goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke helped them past Servette at Stamford Bridge.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette – yellow card90+2. Dewsbury-Hall goes into the book for a clumsy foul.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette90. Into six minutes of added time here.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette86. Servette strike the crossbar as Chelsea receive a huge let off.Ouattara is allowed to run through the midfield before taking aim from around 20 yards, with his effort deflected onto the woodwork.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette – Chelsea substitution84. Maresca makes his final change as captain Caicedo comes off to be replaced by Romeo Lavia in midfield.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette81. Jorgensen is forced into action as Gusto passes the ball straight to Guillemenot on the edge of the box.The Chelsea keeper gets down well to his right to push the ball away.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Servette – Chelsea substitution78. Axel Disasi is withdrawn in place of Malo Gusto for Chelsea’s fourth change of the night.Copy linkCopiedGOAL Chelsea 2-0 Servette76. That should be the match for Chelsea as Madueke runs onto a precise pass from Fernandez before lashing the ball into the back of the net.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-0 Servette – Servette substitutions69. First changes for the visitors as Miroslav Stevanovic and Enzo Crivelli are replaced by Alexis Antunes and Jeremy Guillemenot.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-0 Servette66. After a frantic start to the second half, the match has settled down again.Chelsea remain on top but Servette are offering little space in behind for the home side to exploit.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-0 Servette – Chelsea substitutions57. It’s a triple change for Chelsea as Neto, Guiu and Nkunku all leave the pitch.Replacing them are Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-0 Servette51. It really should be 2-0. Frick loses the ball to Guiu on the edge of the box, to give the Chelsea forward an open goal.However, he scuffs his first effort to allow the goalkeeper to recover and save before getting two more bites at the cherry, which he also misses.Copy linkCopiedGOAL Chelsea 1-0 Servette50. Nkunku picks himself up to smash the penalty past Frick, who dives the right way but cannot keep it out.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Servette – Chelsea Penalty48. Servette lose the ball on the edge of the box and Nkunku is played in.He knocks the ball past Frick, who takes him down to leave the referee no choice but to point to the spot.Copy linkCopiedKO: Chelsea 0-0 Servette45. Guiu gets the action back underway for Chelsea.Copy linkCopiedHT: Chelsea 0-0 ServetteChelsea showed glimpses of an attacking threat during the first half, with half chances for both Marc Guiu and Mykhailo Mudryk.However, Servette also had good spells, with Filip Jorgensen forced into a save by Derek Kutesa.Copy linkCopiedHT: Chelsea 0-0 ServetteReferee Jeremie Pignard blows his whistle to end a quiet opening 45 minutes at Stamford Bridge.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Servette45. Into one minute of added-time.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Servette43. The match has fizzled out during the closing stages of this first half.However, Chelsea fans are on their feet to applaud Cole Palmer as he warms up.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 0-0 Servette32. Chelsea are upping the tempo as they look to breakdown the Servette defence.Neto cuts inside to shoot but his left-footed effort is straight at Frick.Copy linkCopied More

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      Chelsea 2 Servette 0: Enzo Maresca scrapes his first Blues win but B-list opposition shows how far they have fallen

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      WHERE once it was the Galacticos it is now a bunch of B-Listers from Geneva.Chelsea picked up the European baton after a season’s absence but in vastly different circumstances to when they dropped it.Nkunku was awarded a penalty after being fouled by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy FrickCredit: PATeam-mates joined Nkunku to celebrate his first goal of the new campaignCredit: PANoni Madueke’s tremendous finish doubled the lead for the home sideCredit: GettyIn April 2023 Stamford Bridge staged a visit from Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter finals.Chelsea lost 2-0 under interim boss Frank Lampard to opposition that included Luka Modric, Vinicius Jnr and Karim Benzema. So no disgrace.Now they were back under the lights in midweek but on Thursday instead of Tuesday and facing FC Servette of Switzerland and their unknown squad.Dereck Kutesa, Steve Rouiller and Bradley Mazikou formed part of the formidable line up of a team which lost its last league game 6-0 at home and is fifth in the Swiss first division.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Europa Conference League is Chelsea’s new home, at least for a while – UEFA’s third-tier tournament that is many fathoms below the expectation levels of a club which has won the Champions League twice.It’s so lowly that Servette had to LOSE to set up this game. Getting knocked out of a Europa League play off against Portugal’s Braga meant they rocked up at a ground which has played host to the greats of modern football in the not so distant past.Yet it remains the only European trophy that Chelsea are yet to win and new head coach Enzo Maresca is no snob so wants to win it.Most read in FootballNkunku celebrated his first goal of this campaign with his iconic balloon celebrationCredit: ReutersFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWith nine changes to the starting line up from Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Manchester City, it wouldn’t be an easy transition from the spirited performance against the Premier League champions.Debuts for Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo, first starts for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Pedro Neto and striker Marc Guiu.Chelsea’s Conference League clash with Servette descends into chaos as away fans clash with police at Stamford BridgeMarc Guiu was left with his shirt in his mouth after missing a sitterCredit: APGuiu, 18, missed two absolute sitters to round off his first game at the Bridge.The first a sliding header from inches out in the opening seconds, before hitting two shots at the trailing Servette goalkeeper in the 52nd minute.Latest signing Joao Felix received a rousing welcome when paraded on the pitch before kick off.A player who spent six months here before, getting sent off on his debut and eventually scoring four goals before his loan ended received a rousing reception which was over the top.With so many new faces it wouldn’t be that much of a shock to find total strangers wandering into the wrong positions but recent arrival Filip Jorgensen was correctly between the sticks for kick off.And luckily so because he was called upon after just 13 minutes to stand up tall and block a ferocious shot by Kutesa from inside the box.Enzo Fernandez came on to set up the second goalCredit: ReutersThe PA man declared ‘it doesn’t get much better than Thursday nights under the lights at Stamford Bridge’ – which would have been laughed at here not that long ago. But it’s the new normal.Mind you, there was a full house and the fans were up for it, with a solid noise level emanating from three and three quarters of the ground right from the off.It was a bit like old times with the noise and it must have been a while since many of those present had last been in, as the first player chant which struck up after half an hour was the famous anthem about Willian’s hatred of Tottenham.The Brazilian winger left four years ago but with the amount of chopping and changing going in this team, he could well be the last familiar face to the punters in these parts.Every game is a strange experience at Chelsea right now. Unfamiliar atmospheres and performances.Mykhailo Mudryk still has no polish to add to his pace. There seems little cohesion from the players that have been here for a while now. New head coach Enzo Maresca wants time to work his magic.But they won, via the penalty spot when Christopher Nkunku was brought down in the box on 50 minutes and from sub Noni Madueke’s rifled shot in the 76th.READ MORE SUN STORIESGo through from next week’s second leg and it’s the group stage. Win the Europa Conference League this season and it’s the Europa League next year.Win that and Real Madrid could be back at Stamford Bridge by 2026.Cole Palmer held his hamstring after the game to spark injury fears among fansCredit: GettyNew Chelsea signing Joao Felix sat in a private box after being unveiledCredit: PA More