Chelsea Stroll to Semi-Final Victory in Stockholm, One Step from History

Chelsea all but booked their place in the Europa Conference League final with a commanding 4-1 win over Swedish side Djurgarden in Stockholm, showcasing their depth and class in a largely one-sided contest.

With a top-five Premier League finish still the main objective for Enzo Maresca’s side, the Italian made eight changes ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes clash against newly crowned champions Liverpool. But even with a rotated line-up, the Blues proved far too strong for their opponents, delivering a dominant display that leaves them firmly in control ahead of next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Fast Start Silences the 3Arena

The Stockholm crowd produced a spectacular pre-match tifo, hoping to rattle the visitors, but it took Chelsea just 12 minutes to take the sting out of the atmosphere. Enzo Fernandez’s clever lofted pass picked out Jadon Sancho at the back post, and the on-loan winger chested the ball down before a sliced clearance from Marcus Danielson helped guide it into the net.

The Londoners barely let up, monopolizing possession on an artificial pitch Maresca had labelled a “potential problem” before kick-off. That concern proved unfounded as Chelsea moved the ball confidently and doubled their lead two minutes before the break — Fernandez again the architect, threading a fine ball through for Noni Madueke, who skipped past his marker and fired in at the near post.

Jackson at the Double, but Alemayehu Offers a Bright Moment

Maresca made four changes at half-time, introducing Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson among others, and it didn’t take long for those fresh legs to make an impact. Just before the hour mark, a defensive disaster between Danielson and keeper Jacob Rinne allowed Jackson to pounce for 3-0.

Six minutes later, the Senegalese forward bagged his second — and Chelsea’s fourth — with a composed, curling strike into the top corner after Moises Caicedo had won the ball high up the pitch.

Though the match looked beyond reach for Djurgarden, 18-year-old Isak Alemayehu gave the home supporters a moment to savour in the 68th minute. The teenager rose to meet a Tobias Gulliksen cross and directed a downward header past Filip Jorgensen to claim his first senior goal and inject some life into the contest.

Chelsea’s Class Too Much for Brave Underdogs

While Djurgarden, who began their European adventure last July in the second qualifying round, battled gamely, the gulf in quality was clear. Chelsea’s squad — valued at 44 times more than the Swedish side’s — dictated the game from start to finish, leading the competition this season for goals, possession, passing accuracy and shots on target.

Despite a few late scares, including a deflected Tokmac Nguen strike and an Adam Stahl header, Chelsea’s rotated backline and Swedish-born keeper Jorgensen largely stayed composed. The clean sheet was denied by Alemayehu, but there were positives aplenty for Maresca.

Jackson’s brace marked a welcome return to form after an injury lay-off, while 16-year-old midfielder Reggie Walsh nearly capped his debut with a goal inside seconds of coming on.

One Foot in Wroclaw, Eyes on Liverpool Next

Victory leaves Chelsea poised to reach the final in Wroclaw on May 28 and, in doing so, potentially become the first club to complete the full set of UEFA’s senior men’s trophies: the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.

Off the pitch, it was also a good night for the Blues, with news of Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Brentford helping them retain sixth place in the Premier League on goal difference — a key battle in the hunt for European qualification.

Now, attention turns to Stamford Bridge and a blockbuster clash against Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday, before the second leg against Djurgarden, who face an almost impossible task to turn this tie around.

Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favourite teams and games.