Chelsea resumes their European campaign with a trip to Denmark, where they will face FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. This encounter marks the first meeting between the two sides since their UEFA Champions League clash in 2011.
Historically, Chelsea and Copenhagen have rarely crossed paths, having faced each other only four times. The two meetings prior to 2011 took place in 1998, 13 years before their Champions League showdown. Now, another 14 years later, the rivalry is set to be renewed.
Chelsea boasts an unbeaten record against the Danish club, winning twice and drawing twice while scoring four goals and conceding just one. Their previous encounters took place in the round of 16 of the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League and the second round of the 1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
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1998-99 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Clash
The first-ever meeting between the two sides occurred on October 22, 1998, at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, the reigning Cup Winners’ Cup champions, featured a star-studded squad including Marcel Desailly, Gianfranco Zola, Gus Poyet, and player-manager Gianluca Vialli.
Despite being heavy favorites, the Blues were stunned when Copenhagen took the lead in the 81st minute. However, a last-minute equalizer from Desailly ensured Chelsea salvaged a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
2010-11 UEFA Champions League Reunion
After a 13-year gap, Chelsea and FC Copenhagen were drawn together once more in the Champions League Round of 16. The Danish side hosted the first leg in February 2011, but Chelsea, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, took control of the tie early on.
Nicolas Anelka’s brace secured a commanding 2-0 victory, putting the Blues in pole position ahead of the return leg. The French striker was in fine form that season for Chelsea, scoring 16 goals in 46 games including a remarkable 7 goals in 9 Champions League appearances.
The second leg at Stamford Bridge in March saw Chelsea dominate proceedings but fail to capitalize on their chances. Copenhagen’s best opportunity came in the 24th minute when Dame N’Doye’s 25-yard free-kick struck Petr Čech’s post, leaving the Chelsea goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
Meanwhile, Fernando Torres, who had joined Chelsea that winter, was still searching for his first goal in blue but failed to find the net. Despite the goalless draw, Chelsea’s first-leg triumph was enough to seal a 2-0 aggregate win and a place in the quarterfinals.
A New Chapter in 2025
Fourteen years after their last encounter, Chelsea and FC Copenhagen meet again—this time in the UEFA Conference League with much less fanfare but just as much at stake. Chelsea enter the tie as overwhelming favorites, while Copenhagen arrives on the back of a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory over FC Heidenheim in the Playoff round.
Chelsea romped through the league stage of the UECL this year with 6 wins in 6 matches and an incredible 21 goals scored to just 5 allowed. This allowed the Blues to skip the round of 32 and jump straight to the round of 16.
Copenhagen finished 18th in the UECL table after recording 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the league stage. They had to win 3 playoff rounds just to make it to the league stage and didn’t win until the 3rd match but had collected enough points to make it through despite a loss on the final day to SK Rapid.
Despite their wildly different paths to get to this point, both clubs will enter the tie feeling they have what it takes to advance to the next round. With a rich history between them, the stage is set for another intriguing battle between these two European opponents.
