Chelsea Draw Servette FC in Conference League Playoff Thriller

Chelsea's opponents in the UEFA Conference League playoff round have been confirmed as Servette FC, following SC Braga's narrow victory in the Europa League qualifying round.

The Blues, competing in the lower tier of the two competitions, were set to face the loser of the Braga-Servette matchup, with the winner progressing to the final Europa League group stage qualifying round.

After a goalless draw in Portugal, Braga, heavily favoured to advance, secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the second leg. This outcome sees Swiss side Servette FC, based in Geneva, face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Thursday, 22nd August. The second leg will take place a week later in Switzerland.

Servette, who finished third in the Swiss Super League, were considered underdogs against the fourth-placed Portuguese Primeira Liga side. However, they proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing Braga to the limit throughout the two-legged tie. Servette almost pulled off a dramatic comeback in the second leg, showcasing their resilience and demonstrating that they should not be underestimated.

Chelsea's clash with Servette promises to be a challenging encounter, with the Swiss side clearly capable of causing an upset. The Blues will be looking to secure a strong result at home before travelling to Switzerland for the return leg, aiming to progress to the group stage of the Conference League.