Chelsea run riot in competition they cannot truly win

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May 2, 2025 - 04:00
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Chelsea run riot in competition they cannot truly win
Nicolas Jackson scored twice after coming on as a substitute
Nicolas Jackson scored twice after coming on as a substitute - Reuters/Paul Childs

Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

The Uefa Conference League was created, in large part, to give more opportunities to lower-ranked European teams. To allow smaller sides to dream and to dare in pursuit of European glory. Supporters of West Ham United and Olympiacos, the last two winners of this third-tier competition, would certainly argue in favour of its romanticism. 

This year, though, it seems inevitable that the financial might of Chelsea will simply crush that romance underfoot. A Champions League-sized giant playing among Conference League hopefuls, they are the Death Star of this competition and they are cruising to glory with barely a drop of sweat spent. 

Such is their dominance that this latest victory, over a Djurgarden team playing one of their biggest-ever matches, was mostly devoid of jeopardy. Four goals scored, and it should have been more. A place in the final, against either Real Betis or Fiorentina, is all but secured. 

“Very happy with the result, with the performance,” Enzo Maresca, the manager, said. “For sure next week we are going to finish our job.”

Chelsea’s detractors might argue it would not be glory at all if they win the Conference League, given the gulf in quality between them and their opponents. In some ways this is therefore a competition in which they cannot truly triumph: they can either lose, or they can meet expectations. 

Chelsea’s supporters, players and coaches will understandably reject that assessment. From their perspective they can only beat what is in front of them, and that is what they continue to do. In that sense, there has been an impressive ruthlessness to Maresca’s side on Thursdays. Here, they overcame a plastic pitch and a formidable atmosphere – and even found time to hand a debut to promising teenager Reggie Walsh, only 16 years old. Walsh became Chelsea’s youngest debutant since 1967. 

Reggie Walsh with Jadon Sancho
Reggie Walsh (left) became Chelsea’s youngest player since 1967 - Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

“He’s very young but in the way we want to play, in our way, in our style, he’s perfect,” said Maresca of Walsh, a midfielder. “I have felt excited to give him the debut for a long time.”

It had always seemed possible that Chelsea’s biggest problem could be the pitch in Stockholm, rather than their actual opponents. That might sound a little cruel on Djurgarden but it is, sadly for them, a simple reality of the contrast in resources between the two teams. 

Djurgarden’s entire squad is valued at around £18 million, after all, while Chelsea’s is worth almost £800 million. Before this tie, the Djurgarden coach, Jani Honkavaara, joked that their injury list meant Chelsea have more midfielders than he has available players. 

The issue for the home side is that the plastic surface was hardly an advantage for them. It seems they hate the pitch as much as visiting teams here. A few weeks ago, their striker August Priske even described it as “s----y”. 

Still, they are used to it and Chelsea are not. It was perhaps no surprise, then, that young full-back Josh Acheampong misplaced his first pass of the night. An error that was celebrated like a goal by the hugely impressive home crowd, who had greeted kick-off with a series of fireworks and perhaps the most aggressive rendition of Hey Jude ever heard. 

Passion can only take you so far against a superior footballing unit, though, and Chelsea soon had a grip on both the pitch and the match. Jadon Sancho scored their first goal after only 12 minutes, converting at the back post after Enzo Fernandez had crossed from the right flank. 

Noni Madueke, who was excelling on the wing, added their second shortly before the break. Again it was Fernandez’s pass, which allowed Madueke to whip his finish inside the near post after shaping to shoot across goal. 

The arrival of Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Nicolas Jackson as half-time substitutes provided an indication of Maresca’s intent. Jackson swiftly scored the third after a defensive mix-up, with the Swedish team’s defence suddenly melting for unknown reasons, before he then lashed in an impressive fourth. 

So dominant on the night, Chelsea allowed some complacency to set in. Djurgaden had their chances, and scored through Isak Alemayehu’s header to give a glimmer of hope, but the outcome of this tie already seems certain.

Match details

Djurgarden (4-3-3) Rinne 6; Stahl 5, Une 5, Danielson 4 (Tenho 64), Kosugi 5 (Bergh 80); Finndell 6, Stensson 6, Gulliksen 6; Haarala 5 (Alemayehu 63), Nguen 5, Priske 5. 
Subs Croon, Manneh, Selfven, Persson. 
Booked Gulliksen. 
Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Jorgensen 7; Acheampong 7, Tosin 6, Badiashile 6, Cucurella 6 (Chalobah h-t); James 6 (Caicedo h-t), Dewsbury-Hall 7; Madueke 7 (Jackson h-t), Fernandez 7 (Palmer h-t), Sancho 7; George 6 (Walsh 88). 
Subs Bergstrom, Colwill, Pedro Neto, Gusto, Amougou, Mheuka, Curd. 
Booked Caicedo, Tosin. 
Referee Sandro Scharer (Switzerland).

10:14 PM BST

Sam Dean on X

10:12 PM BST

Next up

Both sides are in action in between the two legs. Chelsea host Premier League champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday whilst Djurgarden host Swedish league leaders AIK.

10:07 PM BST

Nicolas Jackson speaking to TNT Sports

10:04 PM BST

Chelsea’s record in the Conference League this season

10:03 PM BST

Other English clubs in European action

It has been three wins from three tonight for the English sides. Chelsea won in the Conference League whilst in the Europa League, both Manchester United and Tottenham have claimed victories. You can follow all the reaction to Manchester United’s victory over Athletic Bilbao and Tottenham’s win over Bodo/Glimt.

09:59 PM BST

Results in tonight’s Conference League semi-finals

Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea

Real Betis 2-1 Fiorentina

09:55 PM BST

FT stats

Possession: Djurgarden 42%-58% Chelsea

Shots: 16-12

Shots on target: 5-7

Corners: 3-4

Touches in opposition box: 18-42

09:53 PM BST

Full time

There is the final whistle and Chelsea will take a 4-1 lead into next Thursday’s second leg at Stamford Bridge. Enzo Maresca’s side have one foot in the final.

09:52 PM BST

90 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

Things kick off between the players as Chelsea were not happy with a challenge from Gulliksen, who is booked for a foul on Caicedo. Tosin is shown a yellow for his reaction to that challenge.

There will be two added minutes at the end of this first leg.

09:50 PM BST

88 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

What a moment that would have been for Walsh. Djurgarden deal with the corner but Chelsea keep it alive. Sancho rolls it out to Walsh on the edge of the box and the 16-year-old, with his first touch, sends a stinging effort towards goal but Rinne makes the save.

Reggie Walsh shoots
Reggie Walsh comes close to scoring inside a minute of coming on - Paul Childs/Reuters

09:49 PM BST

87 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

Chalobah wins Chelsea a corner on the right but, before that, 16-year-old Reggie Walsh is coming on for the visitors in place of another youngster George.

09:46 PM BST

85 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

In the other semi-final Fiorentina have pulled a goal back and they now trail Real Betis 2-1.

09:44 PM BST

82 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

Djurgarden have themselves a free-kick just outside the Chelsea box as Caicedo fouled Alemayehu. Caicedo has also been booked before the free-kick is taken. Nguen takes but Jorgensen gets across fairly comfortably to his right to make the save.

09:41 PM BST

79 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

Djurgarden should have a second goal. The ball comes all the way across the six-yard box from the left and comes to Stahl at the back post, just six yards out. He should bury the chance but somehow blazes over.

Bergh is on for Kosugi for the hosts.

09:39 PM BST

77 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

George wins a corner out on the right off Kosugi. Dewsbury-Hall sends in an inswinger, which is cleared to the edge of the area. It comes straight to Palmer, who hits it but the effort is straight at Rinne.

09:36 PM BST

74 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

That is a real chance for the home side. Kosugi, up from left-back, ends up in the Chelsea penalty area but his shot hits his teammate Alemayehu. That shot looked like it was going on target.

09:34 PM BST

72 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

In the other Conference League semi-final, Betis are now 2-0 up against Fiorentina thanks to a goal from Manchester United loanee Antony.

09:32 PM BST

70 mins: Djurgarden 1 Chelsea 4

Palmer is in behind the Djurgarden defence but he takes too long on it on the edge of the penalty area and the ball is nicked off him.

09:29 PM BST

GOAL! Djurgarden pull a goal back

The hosts have a goal and the home fans erupt. Gulliksen stands up a cross to the far post and picks out Alemayehu, who is only just on the pitch. His header goes into the ground and Jorgensen cannot prevent it from ending up in the net. That is the 18-year-old’s first senior goal.

09:26 PM BST

GOAL! Jackson stunner puts Chelsea in complete control

This time is pretty much done and dusted. Caicedo wins the ball back for Chelsea just outside the Djurgarden box and Jackson then picks out the top corner. Chelsea can smell the final already with 25 minutes remaining in this first leg.

Nicolas Jackson celebrates his second goal
Nicolas Jackson at the double - Paul Childs/Reuters

09:26 PM BST

64 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 3

Dewsbury-Hall should pick out Palmer in acres of space on the left-hand side of the box but the pas sis overhit.

09:25 PM BST

63 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 3

A double change for the hosts as Alemayehu replaces Haarala and Tenho is on for Danielsen.

09:20 PM BST

GOAL! Jackson capitalises on huge home error

What are Djurgarden doing? Palmer plays a ball forward looking for Jackson but it appears there is too much on it. One of Stahl or Rinne should deal with it but Jackson nicks in before Rinne can get his hands on it. The ball goes past Rinne and Jackson knocks it into an empty net.

09:20 PM BST

58 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea were the dominant side in the first half but Djurgarden have been the better side so far in this second half. And their fans are still getting behind their side.

09:16 PM BST

55 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea brought on £187 million worth of talent at the break but it’s Djurgarden who are on top at the moment. The home side have started quickly in this second half and suddenly look very threatening indeed. Perhaps this won’t be quite as straightforward as the first half suggested... the home fans certainly seem to believe still. 

09:14 PM BST

53 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

Nguen feeds ball forward into the Chelsea box and Priske gets to it ahead of Jorgensen. It takes Priske a while to get his shot away and, once he does, it is blocked behind for a corner. The delivery is flicked on by Stahl, whose header is well-saved by Jorgensen.

09:12 PM BST

50 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

Chalobah blocks Kosugi’s cross and Djurgarden win a corner out on the left. Stensson sends in an outswinger, which is headed out to the edge of the box. It comes out to Finndell, who strikes it well but it goes narrowly wide of Jorgensen’s left post.

09:10 PM BST

47 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

Priske shoots from range and gets a lot of power on the shot but his effort goes just wide. It was a powerful shot, just missing a little bit of accuracy.

Down the other end George tries to curl one into the far corner but misses the target by quite some distance.

09:07 PM BST

Second half

We are back under way in Stockholm. Chelsea are making a quadruple change at the break as Palmer, Chalobah, Caicedo and Jackson are on for Cucurella, Fernandez, James and Madueke.

09:01 PM BST

Meanwhile in the Europa League

Manchester United are currently 3-0 up against Athletic Bilbao over in Spain courtesy of goals from Casemiro and a double from Fernandes and Bilbao are down to 10 men. Over in north London Tottenham are 2-0 up against Bodo/Glimt thanks to goals from Johnson and Maddison.

08:56 PM BST

Scores in the two Conference League semi-finals

Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea

Real Betis 1-0 Fiorentina

(Both at half time)

08:55 PM BST

HT stats

Possession: Djurgarden 39%-61% Chelsea

Shots: 5-6

Shots on target: 2-3

Corners: 1-1

Touches in opposition box: 6-25

08:50 PM BST

Half time

Nguen has a big, late chance as he is sent through down the right channel. His shot deflects off Achemapong and Jorgensen makes a good save to his left having initially been wrong-footed.

That is it for the first half and Chelsea lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Sancho and Madueke. A quarter of the way through this tie and so far Chelsea are in control.

08:47 PM BST

45 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 2

There will be two added minutes at the end of this first half.

08:44 PM BST

GOAL! Madueke doubles Chelsea’s lead

He should have scored about 10 minutes ago but now Madueke does make it 2-0 to Chelsea. The visitors are afforded too much time on the ball and they punish the hosts. Dewsbury-Hall finds Fernandez with a neat pass and then the Argentine finds Madueke on the right-hand side of the box. Madueke sent his previous effort straight at Rinne but this time he beats him at his near post.

As mentioned earlier, Chelsea’s wingers are killing Djurgarden here. Madueke has been threatening all half and he’s earned that goal. He has been a constant threat.

08:42 PM BST

40 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Nearly a second for Chelsea. Madueke makes good ground down the right and then feeds the ball forward into the path of Fernandez on the right-hand side of the penalty area. The Argentine then plays the ball across the box looking for Sancho but Djurgarden do enough to clear their lines.

Chelsea are dominating the stats but will feel they should be more than 1-0 up.

08:39 PM BST

37 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Nguen has one effort blocked inside the box but the ball comes straight back to him. He opens up his body and tries to curl one in but it is straight at Jorgensen. He should be testing the Chelsea keeper more.

08:36 PM BST

34 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Rinne was attented to by the Djurgarden medical staff but he is now back on his feet.

08:35 PM BST

33 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Play has been halted as Rinne has gone down. He was a doubt going into tonight and does not look entirely comfortable.

08:34 PM BST

31 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Massive chance for Madueke! James lifts a great ball over the Djurgarden defence and into the penalty area. Madueke, who was onside, runs onto it and shoots but his effort is straight at Rinne in the Djurgarden goal. He should have buried that chance and Chelsea should be 2-0 up.

Noni Madueke has a shot saved by Jacob Rinne
Noni Maduke could and probably should have put Chelsea 2-0 up - Paul Childs/Reuters

08:28 PM BST

25 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Sancho dinks a cross towards the far post from the left-hand side of the box and tries to pick out one of Madueke or Fernandez but it goes over both of them and runs behind for a goal-kick.

08:22 PM BST

20 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Chelsea are beginning to exert their dominance on this match and Djurgarden are struggling a little to string together some possession. Their fans are still making plenty of noise and their players need that energy.

08:20 PM BST

17 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

Sancho feeds the ball forward into the path of George on the left-hand side of the penalty area. He plays a good ball across the six-yard box but none of his teammates are on hand to tap the ball home. Chelsea keep it alive and the move ends with Cucurella firing a shot from the edge of the box that goes just wide.

Chelsea have settled into this game nicely, as you would expect given the gulf in quality (Djurgarden are 11th in the Swedish league) and they deserve their lead. The two wingers, Sancho and Madueke, are looking dangerous.

Marc Cucurella shoots
Just wide from Marc Cucurella - Paul Childs/Reuters

08:16 PM BST

14 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 1

James takes on a first-time effort from just outside the box but he lifts his shot well over the bar.

08:14 PM BST

GOAL! Sancho gives Chelsea the lead

The visitors are ahead. Fernandez lifts a ball into the box from the right and picks out Sancho in acres of space on the left-hand side of the box. It looked like he was going to get the ball trapped under his feet but he gets his shot away. The effort is on target and Danielson should clear but instead his attempted clearance ends up in his own net. Sancho’s shot was on target so the goal goes down as his. 1-0 Chelsea.

08:13 PM BST

11 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 0

These Djurgarden fans are embracing their first European semi-final and are properly getting behind their players. The stadium is bouncing.

08:12 PM BST

9 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 0

In the other semi-final there has been a goal inside the opening 10 minutes Real Betis have taken the lead over Fiorentina.

08:08 PM BST

6 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 0

Nguen has Djurgarden’s first opportunity of the night from the right-hand side of the Chelsea box but his curling effort goes just wide of the far post.

Fantastic atmosphere here. The whole stadium is jumping in time, and the home fans and players have just celebrated Josh Acheampong’s misplaced pass as if it was a goal.  

08:07 PM BST

4 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 0

Madueke finds space down Chelsea’s right and, once he makes his way into the Djurgarden box, he cuts onto his preferred left foot. He tries to curl one into the far corner but ends up missing the target by quite some way.

Noni Madueke shoots towards goal
Off target from Noni Madueke - Jonathan Nackstrand/Getty Images

08:03 PM BST

2 mins: Djurgarden 0 Chelsea 0

A lot has been made in the build-up to this match about the quality (or lack) of the artificial pitch. It will be fascinating to see how it holds up as even the home team have admitted it is not great.

08:02 PM BST

Kick-off

After we pause to pay tribute to Pope Francis, we are under way in Stockholm.

07:56 PM BST

Kick-off fast approaching

Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off in Stockholm. The fans inside the stadium are pumped ahead of the home side’s first European semi-final.

07:53 PM BST

The pre-match thoughts of Enzo Maresca

07:51 PM BST

Reminder of the teams

Djurgarden: Rinne, Danielson, Une, Kosugi, Stensson, Finndell, Gulliksen, Stahl, Nguen, Priske, Haarala.

Substitutes: Croon, Tenho, Bergh, Mulugeta, Manneh, Selfven, Persson.

Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella, James, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Fernandez, Sancho, George.

Substitutes: Bergstrom, Curd, Colwill, Chalobah, Gusto, Caicedo, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Neto, Mheuka, Jackson.

07:46 PM BST

Visitors gearing up

07:44 PM BST

TNT crew on Djurgarden

07:38 PM BST

Other English sides in European action

There are two more English clubs in action tonight, both n the Europa League. In north London, Tottenham are taking on Bodo/Glimt whilst over in Spain Manchester United are away at Athletic Bilbao.

07:32 PM BST

The Conference League trophy

The UEFA Conference League trophy
Real Betis take on Fiorentina in the other semi-final - Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images

07:27 PM BST

TNT crew on Chelsea

07:24 PM BST

Get your fix

07:21 PM BST

Horrible pitch?

Much of the pre-match focus has been on the state of the plastic pitch here in Stockholm, which seems to be hated not only by Djurgarden’s opponents but also their own players. Their striker, August Priske, said recently that it’s a “s----y” surface.

Having just inspected it closely myself, I must admit it looks horrible. I genuinely think a lot of amateur teams in England would be disappointed if they turned up for a game and saw this kind of pitch. In the warm-ups you can see that the ball simply is not bouncing as it normally would.

Chelsea are by far the stronger side but this could get quite tricky tonight.

07:17 PM BST

Route to this stage in the knockouts

Chelsea:

Last-16: Beat Copenhagen 3-1 on aggregate

Quarter-finals: Beat Legia Warsaw 4-2 on aggregate

Djurgarden:

Last-16: Beat Pafos 3-1 on aggregate

Quarter-finals: Beat Rapid Vienna 4-2 on aggregate

07:11 PM BST

Full team news

Djurgarden make five changes to the side that beat Osters 1-0 in the Swedish last time out.

Djurgarden: Rinne, Danielson, Une, Kosugi, Stensson, Finndell, Gulliksen, Stahl, Nguen, Priske, Haarala.

Substitutes: Croon, Tenho, Bergh, Mulugeta, Manneh, Selfven, Persson.

Chelsea make eight changes to the side that beat Everton 1-0 in the Premier League last Saturday. Only Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke remain in the starting XI. The likes of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo are on the bench.

Chelsea: Jorgensen, Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella, James, Dewsbury-Hall, Madueke, Fernandez, Sancho, George.

Substitutes: Bergstrom, Curd, Colwill, Chalobah, Gusto, Caicedo, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Neto, Mheuka, Jackson.

07:06 PM BST

A bit more about Djurgarden

Founded: 1891

Manager: Jani Honkavaara

Stadium: 3Arena, Stockholm

Stadium capacity: 30,000

Nicknames:Järnkaminerna (”The Iron Stoves”), Blåränderna (”The Blue Stripes”)

12 national titles, 5 Swedish Cups

07:03 PM BST

Djurgarden recent results

Djurgarden 1-0 Osters (Swedish Allsvenskan)

Djurgarden 0-0 GAIS (Swedish Allsvenskan)

Rapid Vienna 1-4 Djurgarden (Conference League quarter-finals second leg)

Hammarby 2-0 Djurgarden (Swedish Allsvenskan)

06:56 PM BST

Chelsea recent results

Chelsea 1-0 Everton (Premier League)

Fulham 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)

Chelsea 1-2 Legia Warsaw (Conference League quarter-finals second leg)

Chelsea 2-2 Ipswich (Premier League)

06:49 PM BST

Chelsea team news

06:48 PM BST

Match preview

Chelsea travel to Sweden to take on Djurgarden in their Europa Conference League semi-final first leg. Enzo Maresca’s side earned their place in the final four of the Conference League after defeating Legia Warsaw in the quarter-finals. They won 3-0 away from home in the first leg before losing the second leg at home 1-2 to progress 4-2 on aggregate. Tonight’s game in Sweden takes place on an artificial pitch, which Chelsea head coach Maresca has admitted has caused him some concern ahead of the game.

“It can be a concern,” Maresca said. “I am a little bit worried about that. It is completely different [to grass]. I know that in the last weeks even some of their players were complaining about the pitch. They play every week, so for us it is a different one. But there are no excuses, no reasons why we are not going to compete tomorrow and the second game at all.”

Despite the Conference League being the third-tier European competition, Maresca has declared that this competition is “huge”.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca arrives at the stadium before their match against Djurgarden
Chelsea are aiming to reach the Europa Conference League final - Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images

“Now that we are in the semi-final, the next target is the final, and then once, if we are able to reach the final, we go for the title. It is a huge title, because it is a European competition, and we can give this club the opportunity to be the only club in the world to win all the European competitions. It is also a responsibility for me, a responsibility for the players to get that.”

Chelsea come into tonight’s match off the back of a 1-0 home win over Everton last Saturday in the Premier League thanks to Nicolas Jackson’s first-half winning goal, which boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. They will be without Christopher Nkunku and Robert Sanchez, who have not travelled with the squad to Sweden due to injury.

Djurgarden, who finished fifth in the league phase of the Conference League, come into tonight’s game off the back of a 1-0 home victory over Osters in the Swedish Allsvenskan. They booked their place in the semi-finals after defeating Rapid Vienna in the quarter-finals. Despite falling to a 0-1 defeat at home in the first leg against Rapid Vienna, they secured a 4-1 victory away from home to claim a 4-2 aggregate victory. 

In the other semi-final this evening, Real Betis take on Fiorentina. Team news to follow shortly.

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