Chelsea picked up their first win of the season by beating Swiss outfit Servette 2-0 in the first-leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues were booed off at the break with the game goalless but Enzo Maresca’s half-time message evidently struck a chord as Chelsea were much-improved after the interval as goals from Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke made sure of victory.
Nkunku won a penalty when he was brought down by Servette goalkeeper Jeremy Frick and the Frenchman wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to notch his first of the season from 12-yards.
Madueke, whose future in west London remains in doubt following the arrival of Pedro Neto, then made his mark from the bench when he collected the ball at the back post, controlled and fired home emphatically on his weaker foot.
Maresca was incredibly animated throughout his first European match at the helm and it’s clear his side are still experiencing teething problems as they adapt the Italian’s tactical blueprint, methods and ideology.
While he was not the sole subject of frustration, Maresca quickly began to lose patience with Mykhailo Mudryk’s first-half performance as he battles to keep his head above water.
During one five-minute spell, Mudryk lost possession so cheaply, simply due to hesitation and it halted Chelsea’s momentum as they looked to pip themselves ahead.
By this point, Maresca – who was trying to guide Mudryk through the game – made his feelings known and was rolling his eyes and throwing his arms in disappointment. Just before the interval, Mudryk nutmegged a Servette defender before passing the ball straight off the pitch.
Mudryk has an £88.5million price-tag hanging over his head and that figure evidently carries great pressure but the brutal reality of the situation is now is the time for Mudryk to start firing, or he will join Raheem Sterling in being frozen out of the picture.
