Djurgarden vs Chelsea - LIVE!
Chelsea effectively put their Conference League semi-final tie to bed at the halfway stage as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Djurgarden in Stockholm. The job felt near enough done by half-time of the first leg, by which point Jadon Sancho had opened the scoring and Noni Madueke then doubled the lead, both benefitting from Enzo Fernandez assists.
The introduction of Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah for the second-half did little for already slim hopes the hosts had of mounting a comeback, and that particular mountain they had to climb had soon grown in height. Jackson pounced on some indecision at the back to roll the ball into an empty net, before firing a sensational second into the top corner just five minutes later.
The home fans continued to create a brilliant atmosphere and they got the goal their efforts deserved when Isak Alemayehu arrived at the back post to head into the ground and beyond Filip Jorgensen, off the underside of the bar. It feels unlikely that will have any significant impact on the outcome of the tie, though, as Chelsea head back to Stamford Bridge with a three-goal advantage, knowing a final clash with either Real Betis or Fiorentina is almost certainly just 90 minutes away.
Djurgarden vs Chelsea latest news
- GOAL! Alemayehu pulls one back
- GOAL! Double for Jackson as Chelsea run riot
- GOAL! Jackson effectively puts tie to bed
- GOAL! Madueke doubles advantage
- GOAL! Sancho gives Chelsea early lead
FT: Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:55 , Matt VerriJob done for Chelsea.
They are pretty much through to the Conference League final - fair to assume they won’t be losing by three goals at Stamford Bridge.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:52 , Matt Verri90 mins: And it’s all kicked off.
Tosin absolutely furious as Caicedo gets a couple of kicks, flies onto the scene to settle that particular score.
Chelsea players weren’t happy with the initial challenge on Caicedo. Gulliksen did sort of kick out on the midfielder.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:50 , Matt Verri89 mins: And he nearly scores with his first touch!
Great strike from just outside the area, through a crowd of bodies and the goalkeeper does just about enough to parry it away.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:50 , Matt Verri88 mins: On comes Walsh to make his senior debut, replacing George.
He’s just 16-years-old. Born in 2008... TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHT.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:48 , Matt Verri86 mins: Stadium was bouncing there, as the home fans all around the ground jumped in unison. They’ve been so impressive.
If you were to be slightly critical, they’ve got bored of booing the Chelsea passes. Didn’t have the stamina for 90 minutes of that.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:44 , Matt Verri82 mins: Djurgarden win a free-kick around 25 yards out. About as central as can be.
Nguen over the wall, no real pace on it and Jorgensen has to fall in slow motion as he waits for the ball to eventually reach him.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:41 , Matt Verri79 mins: What a miss!
Ball flashed across the face of the Chelsea goal, runs through to Stahl at the back post and he’s somehow shanked it over the bar from a few yards out.
Had to score.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:39 , Matt Verri77 mins: George gets to the byline and wins a corner for Chelsea.
Headed out to the edge of the area, Palmer running onto it and he does hit the target, but it’s a comfortable save.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:36 , Matt Verri74 mins: Big, big chance for Kosugi as he finds space in the Chelsea box, but it’s his own team-mate who ends up charging the shot down.
Chelsea need to be careful they don’t let the hosts eat into that deficit too much.
Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea
21:32 , Matt Verri70 mins: That goal will frustrate Maresca, even if you think it’ll have no real impact on the tie.
Caicedo dinks a ball in behind, Palmer is in but his touch isn’t great and he then hesitates, as the chance goes.
Should have done better there, didn’t want to go on his right foot.
GOAL! Djurgarden 1-4 Chelsea | Isak Alemayehu 68'
21:30 , Matt VerriThey’ve pulled one back!
Ground absolutely bouncing. Cross stood up to the back post, Alemayehu free and he finds the back of the net, off the underside of the bar.
His first senior goal.
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-4 Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson 65'
21:27 , Matt VerriAnd now it’s getting ugly for the hosts!
Caicedo stretches to win the ball back deep in the Djurgarden half an it comes to Jackson.
He’s on the edge of the area and picks out the top corner with a wonderful finish on his left foot.
Djurgarden 0-3 Chelsea
21:2664 mins: Dewsbury-Hall can play Palmer clean through on goal, but too much on the pass.
Palmer had thrown his head back in frustration even before the ball had got to him.
Djurgarden 0-3 Chelsea
21:25 , Matt Verri63 mins: Couple of Djurgarden changes.
Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t appear to be Lamine Yamal coming on. Or prime Diego Maradona.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
21:22There’s a big debate going on among the Chelsea players in the aftermath of that goal.
Palmer and Jackson have been in disagreement since half-time over how and where to press and Tosin is getting involved to try and work out a solution.
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-3 Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson 59'
21:21 , Matt VerriSancho can lead the Chelsea break and he finds Palmer, who again overhits the pass through to Jackson.
BUT A COMPLETE MESS... and 3-0!
Dear me. Centre-back and goalkeeper wait for each other, Jackson pokes it away from them and can walk it into the empty net.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:18 , Matt Verri55 mins: Palmer fizzes a pass in behind, even this pitch doesn’t hold that up enough though and Jackson can’t get there.
Much more even match since the break, but there is space for Chelsea to exploit.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:14 , Matt Verri52 mins: Really good start to the half from the hosts.
Priske in behind this time, takes a touch past Jorgensen but the angle is too tight and he has to settle for winning a corner.
Out-swinger to the near post, flicked on and Jorgensen reacts brilliantly to save!
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:12 , Matt Verri50 mins: Inches wide!
Djurgarden very, very nearly pull one back.
Corner headed out to the edge of the area, Finndell on the volley and Jorgensen was getting nowhere near it, if that was on target.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:10 , Matt Verri48 mins: Should clarify that Cucurella, James, Fernandez and Madueke were the four to come off at the break.
Successful night in particularly for Fernandez and Madueke.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:09 , Matt Verri47 mins: Nearly very special.
Priske absolutely hammers a strike at distance from strike, catches it so sweetly but it flies wide.
At the other end, George curls an effort beyond the far post.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
21:07Back underway in Stockholm with those four first-team stars on.
Operation Get Cole Palmer A Goal is up and running.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
21:05 , Matt VerriPalmer, Jackson and Chalobah coming on at half-time. Feels a bit cruel.
Oh, and Caicedo.
Easy as you like...
20:58 , Matt VerriHere’s how Noni Madueke doubled the lead.
Two assists for Enzo Fernandez, who has been on another level to the home side.
It's advantage Chelsea now, as Noni Madueke makes it 2-0 in Sweden, finishing off a fine move ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/WDUngJ6XZ8
HT: Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
20:50 , Matt VerriThat’ll do nicely for Chelsea.
Goals from Sancho and Madueke and the Conference League final is already within touching distance.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
20:50 , Matt Verri45+2 mins: Watch out...
Simple ball and Nguen is in behind the Chelsea defence. His touch takes a huge deflection and Jorgensen reacts in time to parry it out.
Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea
20:48 , Matt Verri45 mins: Two minutes added on.
An update on the Djurgarden fans for you... still as loud as ever.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:46 , Matt VerriHow easy was that?
Chelsea are on their way to Wroclaw and we’re not even a quarter of the way through the tie.
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-2 Chelsea | Noni Madueke 42'
20:45 , Matt VerriSpeaking of...
Chelsea have their second!
And this tie does very much already feel like it’s done, not even at half-time in the first leg.
Fernandez pokes the ball through to Madueke, who sweeps a finish in at the near post.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:44 , Matt VerriNoni Madueke is miles too quick for the home defenders, but also for a ball that wouldn’t run as fast as he’d like on this pitch.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:42 , Matt Verri40 mins: Chelsea have clicked into gear again.
Fernandez gets in behind, fires a ball across the face of goal and somehow nobody can find the touch to turn it.
Nearly a carbon copy as Madueke gets to the byline, again it’s cleared.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:41 , Matt Verri38 mins: George spins into the box, he’s being held and so just stops... referee waves away those appeals.
Got to be a very brave man to give a penalty to Chelsea in front of that stand.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:39 , Matt Verri36 mins: Ball rolls to Nguen on the edge of the box, first effort is blocked.
Gets a second effort, and generously floats that ‘shot’ straight into Jorgensen’s arms. Not the best.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:37 , Matt Verri35 mins: Rinne was a doubt for this match and he’s gone down for the hosts.
Needs a bit of treatment, but looks like he’s fine to continue for now.
Just wanted to give the TV coverage a chance to show his save a few more times, I’ll have to assume...
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:34 , Matt VerriEarly to say, perhaps, but that might have been tie over had Madueke put that away.
Massive chance gone.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:34 , Matt Verri31 mins: Impressive stamina from the home fans. Still jeering every Chelsea pass... and there’s a lot of them.
They can cheer that though, brilliant save!
James dinks a lovely ball over the top, Madueke is clean through and has to score, but Rinne pulls out a superb stop.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:32 , Matt Verri29 mins: George has a chance to drive into the box, rare bit of space for him.
Sancho on the overlap, looks offside but the flag doesn’t go up. And it stays down, would have counted had it been a better ball through to him.
As it was, Sancho had to stop and then dig out a cross that was easily cleared.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:29 , Matt Verri26 mins: Better spell of possession for the hosts.
Don’t particularly look like creating anything, but it’s slowed the Chelsea charge for a bit.
Jorgensen will be grateful not to have been tested yet on this pitch.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:26 , Matt Verri23 mins: Fernandez could play in Madueke on the overlap, could shoot, could cross it into the middle.
Ends up thinking about all three and basically just freezing as the ball rolls away from him.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:23 , Matt Verri20 mins: Haarala spins Cucurella, who brings him down and then tries to insist he’s innocent.
James meanwhile gets into a bit of a shoving match, trying to stop a quick free-kick. Got the crowd going again.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:20 , Matt Verri17 mins: This is relentless.
George rolls the ball across the face of goal, nobody there for Chelsea.
Eventually comes out to Cucurella, catches the shot really well and it flies just wide of the post. Goalkeeper didn’t move.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:18 , Matt Verri16 mins: Think that group of Djurgarden fans behind the goal would still be bouncing and making noise even if their side were 6-0 down. Rest of the stadium a bit more subdued though.
Chelsea completely dominant now, hosts struggling to get out.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:17 , Matt VerriIt wasn’t quite silence that greeted that goal, but it was something close to it for a moment.
Not sure Jadon Sancho giving it a bit to the crowd that Chelsea are trying to quiet was the wisest move but an early opener is exactly want Enzo Maresca will have wanted.
Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea
20:16 , Matt Verri14 mins: Chelsea straight back on the attack, sensing the chance to really take control.
Madueke lays it off to James, tries his luck from 25 yards out but the strike is well over the bar.
GOAL! Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea | Jadon Sancho 12'
20:15 , Matt VerriChelsea in front!
Fernandez clips a cross to the back post and Sancho is completely free.
Brings it down, passes a finish towards the far corner, and Danielson on the line can’t hack it away.
Ends up slicing it onto his arm and in.
Djurgarden 0-0 Chelsea
20:12 , Matt Verri9 mins: Badiashile with the block and Chelsea then look to break through Dewsbury-Hall.
He’s bundled over by Gulliksen - again the hosts are so quick to get back when they do lose it. Right up for the fight.
Djurgarden 0-0 Chelsea
20:09 , Matt Verri6 mins: Good spell for the home side, getting plenty of bodies forward as a shot curls wide of Jorgensen’s far post.
Been enough for the home sides to be encouraged by, not that they need any excuse to make noise.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:07 , Matt VerriChelsea are going to get plenty of joy in behind if they use this pitch to their advantage.
They’ve got bags of pace in the front three and the ball dies in the pitch so quickly that you can overhit passes in behind.
Djurgarden 0-0 Chelsea
20:07 , Matt Verri4 mins: First shot of the match and no prizes for guessing at what end it comes.
Madueke cuts inside onto his left foot, works space for the shot but it’s lashed high and wide.
Djurgarden 0-0 Chelsea
20:04 , Matt Verri2 mins: Gulliksen has charged 30 yards forward, given away a needless foul and responded by screaming at the crowd for more noise.
Pumped up doesn’t do it justice.
KICK-OFF!
20:02 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running!
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
20:02 , Matt VerriThe atmosphere in here is unbelievable, far far better than I was expecting. Every single person all the way around the ground is bang up for it.
Conference League anthem barely heard over the nose the home fans are making.
Got a very strong tifo on display behind one of the goals too... Arsenal take note.
And now looooud boos as the Chelsea lineup is read out.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
19:55 , Matt VerriIt really does feel strange that a single game at this stage of a competition can carry such a different amount of emotion and anticipation for its two participants.
This is Djurgarden’s first ever European semi-final and the first for any Swedish team in the best part of 40 years.
Not long now!
19:52 , Matt VerriKick-off just under ten minutes away.
Home fans are bang up for it - Chelsea will be keen to silence them pretty quickly.
Getting pumped for kick-off. 😤#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/dDpH3Nrl3Q
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 1, 2025
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
19:48 , Matt VerriSome last-minute watering of the plastic pitch going on now.
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
19:43 , Matt VerriThe group of ultras behind the home goal have been going with the same very short chant on repeat for about 15 minutes.
It’s 20 until kick-off and I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep going all the way.
Maresca: You don't win matches with money
19:37Chelsea in a different world to Djurgarden when it comes to history and resources, but Enzo Maresca insisted there will be no complacency.
“You don't win games and titles with money,” the Chelsea boss said.
“And we know very well that. So it's not about how much you spend, how much in the transfer market. You are not going to win games or titles just because you spend big money. You have to spend money, but in the right way.
“And this season we are now in the Conference League semi-final, we are fighting in our league, and hopefully we can finish better in both competitions."
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
19:29 , Matt VerriDjurgarden have done plenty of moaning of their own about the pitch in recent weeks but I wonder if they may end up being thankful for it this evening.
At the least, it should be a bit of a leveller and possibly an advantage given their experience - however unpleasant - of playing on it.
How will the pitch play?
19:22 , Matt VerriHome side not happy with the pitch. Chelsea not particularly thrilled either.
Could be a night for playing it safe and not taking any risks with the surface...
"The artificial surface has dominated the build-up... the ball just didn't seem to bounce properly in certain areas of the pitch."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) May 1, 2025
🗣 @MalikOuzia_ gives his pre-match thoughts from the 3Arena in Stockholm.
LIVE: https://t.co/DwGp1VLec9 #CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/3HTjiO7hsd
Chelsea face stadium dilemma
19:16Sadiq Khan has urged Chelsea to start conversations over their stadium plans, with the club likely to face council opposition if they attempt to temporarily relocate to Twickenham.
The Blues’ owners are considering either redeveloping Stamford Bridge or purchasing a site at Earl’s Court and building a new 60,000-seat stadium there.
If Chelsea were to rebuild Stamford Bridge, they would need to play their home matches elsewhere for up to seven years and Twickenham has been raised as potential option, but RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has suggested Richmond council would be reluctant to allow that.
“My message to Chelsea is come and speak to us in relation to what you want to do,” Khan told The Times.
“Chelsea are the victims of their success, and Stamford Bridge is now too small for them. After all, this is a team that has twice won the Champions League.
“We work closely with all seven of our Premier League clubs but I’m sure Chelsea look with some envy at the stadiums some of their rivals in London have.
“We’re really keen to make sure that Chelsea, as we are with all our clubs, continue to flourish and thrive, so we’re open to talking to Chelsea about what plans they have. At the moment they’ve not approached us. But we’re here.”
Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena
19:09 , Matt VerriChelsea’s goalkeepers are running through a drill that I’ve not seen before in a bid to get used to judging the weird lack of bounce.
They’re standing on the edge of the six-yard box and a coach is deliberately kicking a long ball in that lands well short, with the ’keepers then having to come out and claim it off one bounce.
Djurgarden team news
19:04 , Matt VerriDjurgarden XI: Rinne, Danielson, Une, Kosugi, Stensson, Finndell, Gulliksen, Stahl, Nguen, Priske, Haarala
Subs: Croon, Tenho, Bergh, Mulugeta, Manneh, Selfven, Persson
Maresca rotates in Stockholm
18:57 , Matt VerriBit of a mixed bag from Enzo Maresca, but on the whole it’s a rotated side.
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill all on the bench.
Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill among those who do start though, and it’s another chance for Tyrique George to impress.
Chelsea team news
18:51 , Matt VerriChelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Dewsbury-Hall; Madueke, Fernandez, Sancho; George
Subs: Bergstrom, Curd, Colwill, Chalobah, Gusto, Caicedo, Amougou, Walsh, Palmer, Neto, Mheuka, Jackson
Pitch the chief threat for Chelsea
18:41 , Matt VerriSo limited has the opposition been during Chelsea’s Conference League run that it has often been necessary to look elsewhere for jeopardy.
For Pedro Neto, that came inadvertently via a trip to Spain last weekend to watch the Madrid Open tennis tournament.
First, he was almost cleaned out by a 130mph serve from world No2 Alexander Zverev, caught in some amusing footage on social media. Then, he was nearly stranded when a massive power cut put lights out across the Iberian Peninsula and sparked transport chaos.
"To be honest, I didn't watch tennis [live] for a long time and the ball was so fast,” Neto laughed of his front-row close shave, though one can imagine making it back to Cobham on time - and thus avoiding the wrath of Enzo Maresca - was probably the greater relief.
“I was walking with my girlfriend in the city of Madrid and somehow there were no lights, but luckily we went to the airport and we made it out. The flights were not departing so we were lucky to get out of that - and the next day we were training.”
Neto and the rest of his Chelsea team-mates arrived - without hint of further travel disruption - here in Stockholm ahead of this evening’s Conference League semi-final meeting with Djurgarden.
Maresca’s pre-match press conference, however, suggested he sees the pitch at the 3Arena as just as big a danger to his players as the side placed only 11th in the early stages of the Swedish top-flight season.
In the other semi-final...
18:32 , Matt VerriFair to say Chelsea got the best of the draw.
They are facing the side currently sitting 11th in the Swedish league - can’t ask for much more in a European semi-final.
In the other last-four clash, Real Betis are taking on Fiorentina. Either would be a sterner test for Chelsea, but the Blues would still be big favourites.
Chelsea announce ticket change
18:23Chelsea will introduce digital ticketing from the start of next season.
The club have cited a “major effort to clamp down on ticket touting” as a key driver in the decision, which will see all home matches at Stamford Bridge for both general admission and hospitality go digital for the 2025-26 campaign onwards.
Premier League clubs agreed last summer that digital ticketing will become mandatory for all by the start of the 2026-27 season, while newly promoted clubs will have a period of two years to implement.
Chelsea report that more than 1,000 people with touted tickets have been stopped from entering Stamford Bridge this season, while 2,000 membership accounts linked to touting have been cancelled, along with “multiple” individuals arrested following police operations.
The club believe the added “convenience” of a digital ticket will result in an improved fan experience due to quicker entry into the grounds on matchdays.
Chelsea duo pick up knocks
18:10 , Matt VerriChelsea are without Robert Sanchez and Christopher Nkunku in Sweden
Neither player was with the squad that landed in Stockholm on Wednesday evening ahead of tonight’s clash at the 3Arena.
Nkunku is understood to have picked up a knock in training since the weekend’s 1-0 victory over Everton.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday evening, Blues boss Enzo Maresca said on Nkunku’s injury: “It just happened, so we will have more news on Friday when we’re back.”
Sanchez, meanwhile, sustained a knock to the leg in that game and has been left in London as a precaution, with both players still being assessed ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool.
Chelsea finally secure new sponsor
18:02 , Matt VerriChelsea will debut a new front-of-shirt sponsor during tonight’s match.
Their shirts will include a main sponsor for the first time this season after a deal with DAMAC Properties was announced on Wednesday.
Chelsea have been without a front-of-shirt sponsor all season so far, with previous sponsors Infinite Athlete now having their logo on the sleeves of the club’s training kit instead as part of a long-term partnership with the sports technology company that reportedly was worth £40million after being agreed in September 2023.
Chelsea continued with Infinite Athlete on the front of their shirts during pre-season, but have played without a sponsor for all of the campaign proper to date - but that will change on Thursday night in Sweden.
The agreement will run until the end of the season but does not include this summer’s inaugural expanded Club World Cup in the United States, with Chelsea still in talks with other companies about potential sponsorship for that competition and beyond into next season.
DAMAC are a Dubai-based property development company formed in 2002 by the DAMAC Group of Companies.
Maresca admits pitch concerns
17:51Enzo Maresca fears Djurgarden‘s pitch could derail Chelsea’s season, as he considers his team selection tonight.
The stadium’s artificial surface has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks, including from within the Djurgarden ranks, with striker August Priske describing it as “s***ty” and manager Jani Honkavaara branding it “horrible”.
“It’s completely different,” Maresca said after arriving at the 3Arena on Wednesday night. “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’s a different one. But there are no excuses, no reasons why we are not going to compete tomorrow and the second game at all.”
Chelsea’s players could be seen testing the low bounce on the unusual surface as they trained on Wednesday evening.
Of greater concern to Maresca, though, is the threat of injuries on the pitch, with his team not only chasing Conference League glory but also a return to the Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League.
“For sure, it can be a concern,” he admitted. “I’m a little bit worried about that [injuries]. But we are not in a moment where we can say we decide to save players for Sunday. This is a semi-final, it’s a European competition and we want to be in the final.”
Stage is set!
17:43 , Matt VerriIt’s been a boiling hot day in London... bit more comfortable for the players in Stockholm this evening.
📌📌📌#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/Y7wBGdZa1p
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 1, 2025
Standard Sport prediction
17:34 , Matt VerriThroughout this Conference League campaign, Chelsea have oscillated between two states of being. In the first, they routinely prove that they are leagues ahead of their opposition and have no business participating in the tournament. In the second, they let their hubris get the better of them: See losses to Servette and Legia.
However, facing the Allsvenskan’s 11th-best side, one would assume (at their peril) that it would take a dramatic stumble from Maresca’s Chelsea to be behind on aggregate.
Look forward to a confidence-boosting away win and a late flash of complacency to allow Djurgarden a consolation goal ahead of the second leg.
Chelsea to win, 4-1
Chelsea team news
17:26 , Matt VerriEnzo Maresca has a number of selection decisions tonight.
Chelsea are without Robert Sanchez and Christopher Nkunku for the trip after both players were left in London nursing knocks.
Despite making his return to the starting XI in the 1-0 win over Everton on Saturday, Romeo Lavia is ineligible having been left out of Chelsea’s European squad at the start of the campaign.
Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu remain out injured, while youngsters Ted Curd, Reggie Walsh and Shim Mheuka have been included in the travelling squad.
Tyrique George is likely to get another opportunity from the start, while Nicolas Jackson could lead the line after ending his goal drought against the Toffees.
Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Acheampong, Tosin, Badiashile, Cucurella; Dewsbury-Hall, James; Sancho, Palmer, George; Jackson
Djurgarden team news
17:20 , Matt VerriThe hosts will be without several players for the tie.
New signings Zakara Sawo and Filip Manojlovic are both ineligible, having completed their transfers too late to be added to the squad.
There is a raft of injuries, too. Forwards Oskar Fallenius and Nino Zugelj will both be unavailable along with veteran midfielder Rasmus Schuller and 22-year-old prospect Patric Aslund, while goalkeeper Malkolm Nilsson Säfqvist will miss out, too.
How to watch Djurgarden vs Chelsea
17:13 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 4. Coverage starts at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Malik Ouzia at the 3Arena!
Good evening!
17:03 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Djurgarden vs Chelsea!
It’s the first leg of this Conference League semi-final tie and the Blues are in Sweden, looking to take charge of things ahead of next week’s return fixture at Stamford Bridge.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from 3Arena!
