Chelsea will hope to secure a win in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League clash vs Legia Warszawa.
Chelsea’s hunt for European silverware continues in Poland on Thursday night, as the Premier League giants head to the capital to take on Legia Warszawa in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final. For a club with Champions League pedigree, this tournament may not be where they envisioned themselves, but it could end in historic glory.
Since entering the competition, Chelsea have been widely tipped to go all the way, and so far, Enzo Maresca’s side have done little to dispel that narrative. A perfect record in the league phase was followed by a clinical two-legged victory over FC Copenhagen in the round of 16, maintaining their unblemished European run this season.
With the draw now opening up in their favour, avoiding sides from Europe’s top-five leagues until the final, the Blues are firmly in the driving seat. Should they progress past Legia, Djurgårdens IF or Rapid Vienna await in the semi-finals. That pathway, coupled with the chance to become the first club to win all three active UEFA competitions (Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League), adds historical significance to their campaign.
However, despite their continental dominance, Chelsea’s domestic form is painting a different picture. Their last five fixtures across all competitions have been cagey affairs, yielding three narrow 1-0 wins, a goalless draw, and a 1-0 defeat. The most recent result, a tepid 0-0 with Brentford, once again highlighted the side’s creative struggles in the final third.
Furthermore, Chelsea are still without a Premier League away win in 2025, with their only road success in their last ten matches coming against Copenhagen in the previous round. While that offers encouragement for their travels in Europe, it also serves as a reminder of their inconsistent identity this season.
While Chelsea arrive with pedigree and expectation, Legia Warszawa are far from an afterthought. The Polish giants have lost just once at home since mid-September, showing formidable resilience at the Stadion Wojska Polskiego. That solitary defeat came in the group stage against Lugano, but Legia had already done enough to qualify directly for the last 16.
Legia began the campaign impressively with four consecutive wins in the league phase, topping their group alongside Chelsea before two late defeats nearly cost them automatic qualification. They recovered in the knockout stage, edging past Molde after extra time to book their quarter-final spot.
Domestically, their recent form is equally encouraging. They thrashed Ruch Chorzow 5-0 to reach the Polish Cup final and followed it up with a 2-1 league victory over Gornik Zabrze, keeping their hopes of European qualification via the Ekstraklasa alive. While they currently sit fifth in the standings, Legia are the league’s top scorers with 50 goals, underlining the attacking threat they pose.
Their capacity to score freely — highlighted by group-stage routs of TSC Backa Topola, Dinamo Minsk, and Omonia Nicosia should serve as a warning to Chelsea, particularly a side that has looked increasingly blunt in front of goal. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Legia Warszawa
Legia manager Goncalo Feio named a strong starting lineup for the weekend’s Ekstraklasa win over Gornik Zabrze, despite this quarter-final tie looming large on the calendar. With momentum firmly behind them, Feio is expected to stick with a similar core, though a few forced changes and fitness concerns will shape his selection for Thursday’s clash with Chelsea.
Two key attacking players, Marc Gual and Bartosz Kapustka, were rested as a precaution in the last league outing and remain doubts for the first leg due to injury. Their availability will likely be determined late in the build-up. In defence, Jan Ziolkowski and Artur Jędrzejczyk are both suspended and will play no part, but Legia will be boosted by the return of Steve Kapuadi, who is available again after serving a suspension in the last round against Molde.
Further up the pitch, Luquinhas, who missed the second leg against Molde, made a strong return by scoring both goals in Sunday’s 2-1 victory. That impactful performance should see him reinstated to the starting XI, likely as a central figure in the front line.
Legia are expected to set up in a 4-3-3 formation. Kacper Tobiasz will start in goal, with Paweł Wszołek at right-back and Ruben Vinagre on the left. Steve Kapuadi will slot back into central defence, partnering Radovan Pankov to form a physically imposing duo.
In midfield, Juergen Elitim, Bartosz Kapustka (fitness permitting), and Rafał Augustyniak are expected to form a well-balanced trio, with Elitim offering control, Augustyniak providing defensive cover, and Kapustka, if fit, adding creative flair.
The attacking trio will likely feature Kacper Chodyna on the right wing, Ryoya Morishita operating centrally as a false nine or secondary striker, and Luquinhas on the left. This flexible front three will aim to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities in transition and continue Legia’s strong scoring form in Europe.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Tobiasz; Wszolek, Pankov, Kapuadi, Vinagre; Elitim, Augustyniak, Kapustka; Chodyna, Morishita, Luquinhas
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca appears to be putting considerable emphasis on a successful UEFA Conference League run, having rotated his starting lineup in the goalless draw with Brentford over the weekend. Key players such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, and Pedro Neto all began that game on the bench, and are widely expected to return to the XI for this European quarter-final first leg.
There were questions about Cole Palmer’s exclusion given the team’s recent struggles in front of goal, having failed to score in 11 of their last 12 games, but Maresca was quick to downplay any form concerns, insisting it was a rest-based decision. Palmer, Jackson, and other rested names are expected to start in Warsaw as Chelsea look to take control of the tie early.
On the injury front, Wesley Fofana remains ruled out for the rest of the season following his long-term layoff, while Romeo Lavia is also unavailable. However, Lavia’s absence won’t impact this tie, as the Belgian midfielder was not registered in Chelsea’s Conference League squad.
Chelsea are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Filip Jorgensen will retain his place in goal. In defence, Malo Gusto will start at right-back, while Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill will form the centre-back pairing, with Marc Cucurella operating at left-back.
In midfield, Reece James is expected to step into a hybrid midfield role alongside Moises Caicedo, offering defensive stability and ball progression. Just ahead of them, Enzo Fernandez will occupy a slightly more advanced central position, tasked with linking play and supporting the front line.
The attacking trio will feature Cole Palmer in his preferred right-sided playmaker role, Pedro Neto on the left wing bringing width and directness, and Nicolas Jackson as the lone striker through the middle. This front four will be relied upon to break down Legia’s compact defensive shape and restore some attacking verve to a side that has looked short on goals in recent weeks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Neto; Jackson
Key Stats
-
Chelsea are unbeaten in Europe this season, winning all eight of their matches so far — six in the league phase and two in the Round of 16, while keeping six clean sheets during that run.
-
Legia Warszawa have lost just once at home in all competitions since mid-September, a Conference League defeat to Lugano, their only home loss in their last 15 competitive fixtures.
-
Chelsea have failed to score in four of their last five matches across all competitions, including a 0-0 draw with Brentford at the weekend.
-
Legia are the highest-scoring team in the Polish Ekstraklasa this season, with 50 goals in the league despite sitting in fifth place.
-
Chelsea could become the first club to win all three active UEFA men’s club competitions (Champions League, Europa League, Conference League), having already lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in the past.
Player to Watch
Cole Palmer
Palmer brings intelligence, vision, and composure in attacking transitions — qualities Chelsea will need in abundance against a Legia side known for their direct attacking play and home resilience. His ability to drift inside, link with midfielders like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and carve out chances for Nicolas Jackson will be vital if Chelsea are to break down a compact Legia defence.
Beyond his creativity, Palmer has proven capable of scoring key goals, whether from open play or the penalty spot. His calmness under pressure and positional awareness allow him to influence the game in a variety of ways, whether playing wide, between the lines, or as a secondary striker.
As Chelsea aim to take control of this two-legged quarter-final, all eyes will be on Cole Palmer to spark their attack back into life and deliver a performance that reflects his growing status within the team. Having been dropped to the bench at the weekend, here is his chance to make a difference.
Prediction
Legia Warszawa 1-1 Chelsea
Chelsea have the quality and experience to manage tricky European away ties, as shown against Copenhagen. But with their attacking output declining and Legia proving prolific at home, this first leg could be closer than many expect. If Enzo Maresca’s men are not careful, they may find themselves needing a strong second-leg response at Stamford Bridge.
