Chelsea v FC Noah: Who are Blues’ next Conference League opponents?

A new team named after a biblical character with input from Portugal legend Luis Figo, it is fair to say Chelsea will not face many more interesting opponents this season than Armenian outfit FC Noah.

The side go to Stamford Bridge for Thursday’s Conference League league phase tie having made history to even be there.

They scored 18 goals in qualifying, including goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic registering with a long clearance against AEK Athens, and an 88th-minute winner with 10 men after blowing a 3-0 aggregate lead in their play-off.

The Yerevan side have beaten Czechs Mlada Boleslav 2-0 and lost 1-0 at Rapid Vienna in their two league games to get them dreaming of the knockout rounds.

Ambitious businessman Vardges Vardanyan took charge of the club in August 2023 and almost instantly transformed them.

“Before the start of the European season, I set a goal for the team to reach the group stage of the Conference League,” said Vardanyan.

“Many viewed this as an unrealistic and nearly impossible target, but as you can see, despite all the challenges and obstacles, we have made it.”

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