Chelsea travels to Germany to take on last season’s surprise package, the Bundesliga Heidenheim. These are two of the unbeaten teams in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
It has been a sensational journey for Heidenheim and their fans to see their team thrive in European competition. Little did the supporters envisage the club’s plan when they were languishing in the sixth tier a few years ago.
They featured in the Bundesliga for the first time in their history last season following their title win in the second tier the season before that. Heidenheim impressed many onlookers in their first top-flight campaign and managed an incredible eighth-placed finish, which secured them Conference League football.
The Bundesliga outfit have started well in this competition after winning their opening three games, and now they face the big challenge of taking on Chelsea. The German outfit and their legendary coach, Frank Schmidt, will want to keep their run going in the competition, as they would like to stay as one of the unbeaten sides after Thursday.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in good form in the Premier League and in Europe. The last time out on the continental stage, they thrashed Armenian side FC Noah with an 8-0 the scoreline at Stamford Bridge, and they will want to continue dominating the third tier European competition in the future.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, they beat Leicester City at the weekend and continued to stay in third above Arsenal. Enzo Maresca has plenty of ideas going forward, one of which would align with winning the UEFA Europa Conference League this season.
This competition is a brilliant chance for Chelsea to become the first-ever side to add all three European trophies to their cabinet. They have a big opportunity to go all the way in the Conference League, as they are probably the strongest outfit of all on paper. Hence, they will look to continue on their 100% start to the campaign as they visit Heidenheim on Thursday.
Team News & Tactics
Heidenheim
Leading goalscorer Marvin Pieringer was injured in Heidenheim’s weekend loss to Bayer Leverkusen. The attacker will be sidelined until early February with an Achilles tendon problem. He will now join Luka Janes, who is out with a major shoulder problem.
Frank Schmidt will also have other problems, including fitness problems, as some of his first-team players, including midfielders Thomas Leon Keller and Julian Niehues, have not kicked a ball this season.
A frontline of Sirlord Conteh, Mathias Honsak, and Paul Wanner will be expected to start against Chelsea. Niklas Dorsch, Lennard Maloney and Jan Schoppner are scheduled to play midfield roles.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Muller; Traore, Manika, Gimber, Fohrenbach; Dorsch, Maloney, Schoppner; Conteh, Honsak, Wanner
Chelsea
Enzo Maresca’s decision not to play stars like Cole Palmer has yet to come back to bite Chelsea, and the Italian tactician is unlikely to question his call ahead of the next many games. The Blues’ strong squad depth will see them name a strong enough side to ensure they get the three points against Heidenheim.
Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, and Renato Veiga are all set for starts in the backline, while Benoit Badiashile could join them. Maresca will not risk Malo Gusto despite the right-back likely to come out fit after his recent illness, especially given that Reece James is set for a fresh spell on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, the Chelsea boss will likely retain Moises Caicedo in his midfield against Heidenheim, while Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu will also get chances from the start.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Jorgensen; Disasi, Badiashile, Adarabioyo, Veiga; Caicedo; George, Nkunku, Felix, Mudryk; Guiu
Key Stats
Chelsea and Heidenheim have 100% records in the Conference League this season.
Chelsea scored 16 goals in their opening three games in the competition.
Heidenheim are winless in their last seven matches domestically.
Heidenheim qualified for a European competition in their first-ever Bundesliga season.
Player to Watch
Christopher Nkunku
Embed from Getty Images
Nkunku has remained Chelsea’s leading goalscorer this season in all competitions and could get another chance to extend his tally on Thursday evening. It is still baffling that Maresca has afforded the Frenchman limited chances to start in the Premier League but does not shy away from unleashing him in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The Frenchman might have to make another statement performance on the pitch to force Maresca’s hand into selecting him more often in the Premier League games or sell him amid his links with top clubs. Hence, he will need to put in another stellar display and ensure that Heidenheim loses their 100% run and Chelsea maintain theirs.
Prediction
Heidenheim 1-4 Chelsea
Heidenheim could be in for their toughest week of the season so far, as they do not face Chelsea after losing to Bayer Leverkusen. Hence, Frank Schmidt will have come under pressure to keep delivering in the UEFA Europa Conference League, as they will want to give the Blues a tough test at home.
However, as relentless as Chelsea have been this season in the Conference League, Enzo Maresca’s men are expected to continue showing that form ahead. Hence, there is nothing more than a big Chelsea win expected in this one, although it may not be a thrashing like the FC Noah game for many reasons.