- Chelsea have discovered their first opponent for the UEFA Conference League
- It comes after Portuguese side Braga beat Swiss outfit Servette 2-1 on Thursday
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Chelsea have discovered who they will face in the play-offs of the UEFA Conference League.
It comes after Braga’s 2-1 victory away at Swiss outfit Servette on Thursday night.
That result means the Portuguese side will advance in the Europa League, while Servette drop into the Conference League.
Things don’t get easier for Servette despite dropping into Europe’s third competition, as they will face Chelsea over two legs.
The first leg of the tie will take place just four days after Chelsea’s season opener against Manchester City, on August 22 at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will face Swiss side Servette in the play-off phase of the UEFA Conference League
Chelsea will be heavy favourites to advance to the group stage of Europe’s third competition
Chelsea will then play the second-leg in Switzerland on August 29 – sandwiched between a tricky trip to Wolves and a home clash with Crystal Palace.
Servette have experience in the tournament having reached the last-16 last season, while Chelsea will be heavy favourites to lift the trophy at their first attempt.
The Blues have not played Servette since May 1946 – as part of a six-game post season tour of Switzerland.
Chelsea fans have reacted to confirmation of their opponent with confidence of reaching the knock-out phase.
One fan said: ‘If we don’t win by 10 goals we riot,’ while another predicted an aggregate scoreline of 8-1.
Servette dropped from the Europa League after their 2-1 loss to Braga on Thursday night
Chelsea fans are confident that they will cruise past Servette into the next round
There were some who appeared to make a joke over the similarity between Servette and serviette, as another fan wrote: ‘If we can’t beat a team that has the same name as a napkin, we are finished.’
While a fourth fan added: ‘I can comfortably say that we’re smashing Servette in the qualifiers.’
Chelsea have one of the largest sides in the Premier League so will be expected to change the majority of their side from the one that plays Manchester City on Sunday.
