Chelsea get Conference League group stages off to winning start: Five things we learned from Chelsea 4-2 Gent | OneFootball

Chelsea came out on top in their opening game of the Conference League, putting four past Belgian side Gent.

The hosts continued their red-hot scoring form, with Renato Veiga’s powerful header from Mykhailo Mudryk’s opening the scoring before Pedro Neto finished emphatically less than a minute into the second half to double the Blues’ lead, though the advantage was halved again moments later as Tsuyoshi Watanabe headed home unmarked from a corner for Gent.

But Christopher Nkunku soon made his first meaningful contribution of the evening, pouncing on a loose ball in the penalty area and firing home for Chelsea’s third goal of the evening while Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall scored the first goal of his Chelsea career seven minutes later to put the result well out of reach for the visitors, who added another late on through substitute Omri Gandelman.

Here’s five things we learned from the game…

Chelsea’s B side impress up front but lacking at the back

Few were surprised to see Chelsea’s second-string players take to the field in the first half and while they scored four good goals and were deserving of the victory, the defensive vulnerabilities this season again reappeared.

Tonight’s starting XI is likely that which will take play for much of the group stage, and they gave a valiant Gent side too many opportunities to score, which they did twice.

Ultimately, though, to get the result over the line was enough. Whether they have done enough to keep Maresca from shuffling the squad for the knockouts, should they get there, remains to be seen.

Renato Veiga shines again

A summer signing that went somewhat under the radar, Veiga is fast establishing himself as Chelsea’s latest young star.

An imposing physical presence not lacking confidence, Veiga’s comfort on the ball and aerial threat make him as a key part of Maresca’s back-up squad.

With goalscoring newly added to his arsenal of talents, he could soon lay claim to a spot in the first XI.

Andri Gudjohnsen’s Stamford Bridge homecoming not the fairytale he had hoped for

Eidur Gudjohnsen is an undisputed Chelsea legend, having won three trophies in west London, so his son, Andri, returning to Stamford Bridge for Gent was a brilliant story.

The odds were always stacked against him, and he saw limited chances to attack the Chelsea goal, one wayward first half shot amounting to the sum of his impact.

But to have his father in the stands watching him play on the same pitch where he made his name will surely live long in the memory.

Casadei underwhelms in pivotal match

On pre-match media duties, Cesare Casedei spoke of his eagerness to play more games and tonight he was granted the opportunity to show Maresca what he could do, though failed to fulfil his promise.

Sitting alone in a deep midfield role, Casadei would have been expected to dictate play, force turnovers and link the attack and defence, though he repeatedly buckled under the weight of Gent’s press. He often looked unsure as to what to do with the ball, also having minimal influence off it.

He may improve with more minutes, though the chances to prove himself may be few and far between.

A debut for George

Chelsea have seen plenty of their academy youngsters leave the club of late but tonight saw Tyrique George come on to make his debut in the 80th minute.

To be fair to Maresca, the size of his squad means that he has little reason to turn to the academy for support, but to give a highly regarded 2a run out will endear him to the supporters and shows he is interested in developing the club’s own.

George himself had little impact on the match, though his few possessions showed the raw skill and bravery that has come to be expected of Cobham graduates. Those in the stands will hope that this cameo will be the first appearance of many in blue for George.

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