When the draw for the UEFA Europa Conference League was made, few would have predicted that Chelsea, the reigning Premier League champions, would be facing Shamrock Rovers, the unheralded Irish champions, in the group stage.
But that's exactly what happened, and on a cold December night in London, the two teams met at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were understandably heavy favorites, but Shamrock Rovers had nothing to lose and everything to gain. They played with a freedom and an energy that belied their underdog status, and they gave Chelsea a run for their money.
In the end, Chelsea's class told, and they ran out 4-3 winners. But Shamrock Rovers had shown that they were no pushovers, and they left Stamford Bridge with their heads held high.
For Chelsea, the victory was a welcome boost after a disappointing start to the season. They had lost their opening two Premier League games, and they were in desperate need of a win.
The victory over Shamrock Rovers will give them some much-needed confidence, and they will now be hoping to build on it in the coming weeks.
For Shamrock Rovers, the defeat was a disappointment, but they can take heart from their performance. They showed that they are a team with potential, and they will be confident of making a good run in the Europa Conference League.
The match between Chelsea and Shamrock Rovers was a tale of two cities. Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world, while Shamrock Rovers are a relatively small club from Ireland.
But on this night, the size of the clubs didn't matter. Shamrock Rovers played with heart and determination, and they gave Chelsea a real scare.
In the end, Chelsea's quality shone through, but Shamrock Rovers can be proud of their performance. They showed that they are a team to be reckoned with, and they will be hoping to make a good run in the Europa Conference League.