Chelsea came from behind to beat an injury-stricken Napoli on Wednesday night to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but who will they face now?
The confidence was high in the Chelsea squad going into Wednesday night’s clash, a match between the current Chelsea manager and one of the best in recent years in Antonio Conte. Chelsea took the lead.
Enzo Fernandez scored a penalty for Rosenior’s side after Juan Jesus was adjudged to have handled the ball, after an Enzo free-kick. The penalty came just before the 20-minute mark and things looked rosy.
What did you make of Liam Rosenior’s ‘Lone CB’ experiment?😬
Surely changes are needed!
SSC Napoli v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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But by half-time, Chelsea were losing. Antonio Vergara, a beneficiary of Napoli’s injury list, turned the defence inside out before slotting. Then, Rasmus Hojlund put Napoli ahead with a near-post finish.
However, Chelsea came from behind in the second half to win 3-2. A vintage Joao Pedro display, equalising with a piledriver of a left-footed strike before a counter resulted in Pedro finding a winner.
Chelsea finish in sixth place, who could they face in the last 16?
Chelsea ended up in sixth place in the final standings of the Champions League group phase, taking them immediately to the last 16. Liam Rosenior coming up trumps against Conte in his biggest Chelsea match.
Joao Pedro.
Photo by Carl Recine – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Sixth place takes Chelsea into Pairing C in the last 16. They play the winner of Knockout Play-Off Pairing II. Who is in Knockout Play-Off Pairing II? It is between the 11th or 12th-placed sides, and 21st and 22nd.
With full-time confirmed, that means Chelsea will play one of four, with 11th or 12th to be drawn against either 21st or 22nd. They can play any of PSG (11th), Newcastle (12th), Monaco (21st), Qarabag (22nd).
PSG and Newcastle actually did battle on Wednesday night, drawing 1-1 in the French capital. When Chelsea learn of the four sides they could now face, they will be desperate to avoid Paris Saint-Germain.
Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s Player of the Match
Napoli 2-3 Chelsea
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PSG knocked out Liverpool last year after a play-off clash
Last season, PSG could only manage a 15th-placed finish. It forced them into the play-offs, and they dispatched fellow French side Brest with a 10-0 aggregate score and would go on to win the tournament.
PSG would go on to beat Liverpool in the last 16 and Chelsea will be hoping that history doesn’t repeat itself, in PSG only managing a play-off place before beating English opposition in the round of 16.
Obviously, Chelsea took on PSG in the Club World Cup final last summer. They beat the French giants with ease, a Cole Palmer-inspired side proving too much for Luis Enrique’s all-conquering outfit.
Newcastle are a possibility with clubs able to play against their clubs from their own countries now that the league phase is done. With Monaco in transition and Qarabag a minnow, Chelsea can be confident.
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