A hard-fought display ensured the Blues secured a 2-1 victory at the Parken Stadium. Reece James broke the deadlock early in the second half and Enzo Fernandez added a second with a well-taken finish.

Gabriel Pereira reduced the deficit for Copenhagen with ten minutes to play, but the Blues were able to see out the contest and claim our first away victory since December 12.

‘Very important for many reasons,’ Maresca reflected after the win in the Danish capital. ‘For sure because it’s away [from home] and for sure it’s because it’s a knockout tie so you need that – also for the performance.

'They surprised us because over the last three years with this manager, they played two games in a line of five – so we didn’t expect that. First half we controlled the game and had possession but we didn’t create chances. But overall we deserved to win the game and it was good to give all of them minutes.’

Our victory ensures we hold an advantage heading into next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge. But it is only half-time in the tie, as Maresca highlighted.

‘It was a little bit of a sloppy goal [we conceded], we could’ve avoided that. But it’s football, it can happen. Now 90 minutes is finished and we are happy we won. Now we have another 90 minutes next week against them.

‘But the most important thing is Sunday’s game [against Leicester]. It’s at home and will need our fans for 90 minutes or 100 minutes behind the team, pushing the team.

‘From now on every game is important and if we can win against Leicester on Sunday we can take one more step towards our target which is finishing in the Champions League positions.'

The Blues head coach also provided an update on the fitness of Malo Gusto, who was substituted in the first half of tonight's win.

‘He’s ok, he’s better. They just said to me he could possibly be available for Sunday’s game, so hopefully we will have him for Sunday.’