Copenhagenvs.Chelsea

Enzo Maresca's side head into this stage of the competition having prevailed in each of their six fixtures during the League Phase, ensuring that they finished top of the standings.

However, ahead of the contest at the Parken Stadium, the Premier League outfit have put together an indifferent run of form, winning just four of their 13 matches since their last continental game with none of those victories coming on their travels.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Chelsea's previous experiences against Danish opposition as they bid to extend a 27-year streak against recognised teams from the Scandinavian nation.

Copenhagen in the 1998-99 Cup Winners Cup

Not counting Chelsea's first-ever European tie, an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup meeting with a Copenhagen XI in 1958, the West Londoners' first experience of facing a Danish side was playing Copenhagen in the second round of the 1998-98 Cup Winners Cup.

As holders of the competition, Chelsea - then managed by Gianluca Vialli - had made an unconvincing start to the competition, edging out Helsingborg 1-0 on aggregate in the first round.

A second Scandinavian encounter followed versus Copenhagen, who had recorded a 6-1 aggregate win over Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, and they would have fancied their chances against a Chelsea side that had been posting too many draws in the Premier League.

Another hard-fought encounter ensued with Copenhagen earning a 1-1 draw from the first leg at Stamford Bridge. Bjarne Goldbaek - who would make the £330,000 transfer to Chelsea straight after this tie - gave the visitors an 81st-minute lead before Marcel Desailly popped up with a last-minute equaliser to save the English side's blushes.

There was a Danish connection with how the second leg and tie was ultimately decided. National team legend Brian Laudrup scored the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute to earn Chelsea a 1-0 triumph, the playmaker coincidentally moving to Copenhagen the following year.

Chelsea failed to defend their trophy during the latter stages of the campaign, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Spanish side Mallorca.

Copenhagen in the 2010-11 Champions League

Chelsea went into 2010-11 with Carlo Ancelotti tasked with delivering the Champions League for the first time in the club's history having won the Premier League the previous season.

The Italian's side cruised through a favourable group that featured Marseille, Spartak Moscow and Zilina to earn them a last-16 date with Copenhagen, who had finished in second spot in a group that contained Barcelona, Rubin Kazan and Panathinaikos.

Although Chelsea had avoided showdowns with several European giants, they still had a job to do against a team viewed as the remaining minnows, and the Premier League outfit showcased their professionalism in the away first leg.

Nicolas Anelka scored a goal in either half to secure Chelsea a 2-0 win that ultimately ensured a comfortable night's work in the reverse fixture, the two teams playing out a goalless draw.

Manchester United would overcome Chelsea in the quarter-finals, extending the wait for Roman Abramovich to get his hands on European football's top prize.

Nordsjaelland in the 2012-13 Champions League

In the 2011-12 Danish Superliga, there was an upset as Nordsjaelland won their first-ever top-flight title, earning them a crack at the continent's elite.

Reigning Champions League holders Chelsea were among their group-stage opponents, and Roberto Di Matteo's side were made to work hard for their 4-0 victory in the away game on matchday two.

Juan Mata's 33rd-minute goal gave Chelsea a lead that they were unable to extend until 11 minutes from time, before David Luiz, Mata and Ramires netted three times in the space of 10 minutes.

Rafael Benitez had replaced Di Matteo by the time that the reverse fixture came around in December, Chelsea heading into that game needing maximum points and Juventus to lose to Shakhtar Donetsk in order to remain in the competition.

Chelsea kept their part of the bargain, emphatically running out 6-1 victors with Luiz, Fernando Torres (2), Gary Cahill, Mata and Oscar all getting on the scoresheet.

Juventus prevailing in Ukraine led to Chelsea dropping into the Europa League. However, that proved to be a blessing in disguise as Benitez - despite the lack of warmth for his arrival from the club's fanbase - led the Blues to glory in that competition, Branislav Ivanovic's last-gasp header against Benfica securing a major European title for Chelsea in successive seasons.

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Written by

Darren Plant