Maresca admits Chelsea ‘disrespected’ Legia in 2-1 UECL loss.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca admitted they disrespected opponents Legia Warsaw on Thursday as the English Premier League side lost 2-1 at home in UEFA Conference League to the Polish side, but still progressed to the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

The Blues hit back through Marc Cucurella's close-range finish after the Polish visitors had stunned Stamford Bridge with a Tomas Pekhart penalty for the 10th-minute opener.

But Maresca's men had no answer following Legia's second from French defender Steve Kapuadi in the 53rd minute.

However, their 3-0 win in the first leg in Poland last week was enough to send Chelsea into a last-four meeting with Swedish side Djurgarden, who claimed a 4-1 extra-time victory at Rapid Vienna, who had two players sent off as they went out 4-2 on aggregate.

The west London side were once again booed off by their supporters at full-time on Thursday after another frustrating and below-par display.

Cole Palmer's goal drought has now extended to 15 matches, while Nicolas Jackson was taken off at half-time and is without a goal in 12 games, while left-back Cucurella is their top scorer with six goals since December 15th.

Winning Europe's third-tier competition will guarantee them a place in the Europa League next season, but Chelsea could still make the Champions League if they finish in the Premier League's top five.