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When is the Conference League round of 16 played as Chelsea advance to knockouts

Chelsea have booked their place in the round of 16 of the Conference League thanks to a 3-1 win over FC Astana in Kazakhstan.

Before kick-off, the conversation around the Blues was how they would deal with a multitude of difficult factors. Firstly, the travel was a whopping 16-hour round flight that is unheard of in midweek for a European game.

Once they arrived in Kazakhstan, the Blues were met with arctic weather conditions with temperatures dropping as low as -11C. Despite all this, a young Chelsea side continued Enzo Maresca's side's 100 per cent record in the competition.

Marc Guiu's opener followed by an Aleksandr Marochkin own goal put Chelsea in a commanding lead. Renato Veiga's header put the game beyond doubt just five minutes before the interval.

Marin Tomasov curled in a spectacular strike on the brink of half-time but it ended up being nothing more than a consolation. So with progression to the round of 16 secured, football.london has taken a closer look at all the details about the Conference League round of 16.

When is the draw?

The draw for the round of 16, as well as the quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place on February 21. This is the day after the knockout phase play-offs which Chelsea have avoided thanks to securing a place in the top eight.

Who will Chelsea face?

That is unclear at this stage but they will play a team that has finished outside the top eight but progresses in the knockout phases.

When are the round of 16 matches?

Round of 16 matches will be played on March 6 and 13. Chelsea have just one game remaining in the Conference League before then, a home clash with Shamrock Rovers on December 19 to conclude their league phase.

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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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