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Chelsea traveled 5,606km away from home in their ever trip to Kazakhstan, the farthest they’ve travelled for a game in European competition – to face Astana, their 99th opposition in European competition.
They breezed past the Kazakhstans in freezing conditions to progress from the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
The Blues raced into a 3-0 lead with striker Marc Guiu striking twice as Enzo Maresca made ten wholesome changes from the Premier League win over Tottenham.
It was all Chelsea from the opening whistle, and it didn’t take long to find the breakthrough: Marc Guiu running around his defender with ease and finishing from close range.
Chelsea were generating chances at will, and the second goal swiftly arrived as Guiu bundled in at the near post from a Pedro Neto cross. It might eventually go down as an own goal, but the striker did well to force the situation.
Renato Veiga then made it three in the blues favour with a free header from a corner.
However, the hosts pulled one back to get themselves back into the contest in the final few minutes of the half — it was a lovely finish from Astana’s captain that kissed off the inside of the far post.
The second half was a bit of a non-event; both sides could’ve scored, neither did.
Chelsea dominated this game from start to finish. Their young squad just had too much quality for Astana and fair play to the fans who travelled over to Kazakhstan, one hell of a journey that could have been.
The win now puts Chelsea on 15 points from 5 games played and guarantees them a top-eight finish with an automatic spot in the Round of 16. Attention now switches to Brentford at home on Sunday.
