Chelsea Faces Djurgarden in UEFA Conference League Semifinal

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Chelsea FC faces Djurgarden in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League semifinal on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 8:00 PM BST at the 3Arena. The match is important for Chelsea as they look to secure a spot in the final and potentially claim their first trophy under manager Enzo Maresca.

Maresca has rotated his squad, retaining only Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke from the previous weekend’s match. Chelsea comes into this game as heavy favorites after winning six consecutive matches in the competition, while Djurgarden has surprised many by reaching this stage.

The home team, Djurgarden, has struggled with injuries. Notable absences include Albin Ekdal, Patric Aslund, and Jacob Rinne, who is battling illness. Manager Jani Honkavaara’s team has made a mixed start to the Allsvenskan season, sitting in 11th place after five matches.

Chelsea’s starting lineup features Filip Jorgensen in goal, backed by a defense including Cucurella and Badiashile. The midfield is led by Dewsbury-Hall and Reece James, while Jadon Sancho and Madueke support striker Nicolas Jackson.

Djurgarden’s predicted lineup includes Jacob Rinne; Nguen, Une, Danielson, and Stensson comprising their defense. The midfield features Haarala and Finndell, with Tobias Gulliksen likely to lead their attacking front after scoring four goals in the competition so far.

This semifinal is crucial for both teams, with Chelsea aiming for a strong first-leg advantage, while Djurgarden hopes to defy the odds against a storied European club. The last time the two teams faced off was their initial meeting, adding to the anticipation of the match.