Chelsea are virtually assured of a place in their first European final since winning the Champions League in 2021, having demolished Sweden’s Djurgarden in the Conference League.
Only a shock comeback in the return leg at Stamford Bridge next Thursday night would see Chelsea fail to reach this season’s final in Wroclaw.
Enzo Maresca’s scored twice in either half in the Swedish capital, Jadon Sancho getting the ball rolling with 13 minutes on the clock and Noni Madueke building on that lead before the interval.
The Chelsea boss made four changes at half-time, keen not to overexert his players when there is still plenty to play for in the remainder of the Premier League season. Nicolas Jackson was among those brought on and played his part by scoring twice in quick succession.
Djurgarden did pull one back through Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta midway through the second half, almost immediately after going 4-0 down. But the odds of that being any more than scant consolation, even at the halfway stage of the overall tie, are low.
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Jacon Rinne |
4.0/10 |
|
RB: Adam Stahl |
5.2/10 |
|
CB: Jacob Une Larsson (c) |
5.3/10 |
|
CB: Marcus Danielson |
5.2/10 |
|
LB: Keita Kosugi |
4.8/10 |
|
CM: Hampus Finndell |
4.8/10 |
|
CM: Daniel Stensson |
5.9/10 |
|
RM: Santeri Haarala |
6.5/10 |
|
AM: Tobias Gulliksen |
7.6/10 |
|
LM: August Priske |
6.2/10 |
|
ST: Tokmac Chol Nguen |
7.4/10 |
|
SUB: Miro Tenho (63′ for Danielson) |
6.4/10 |
|
SUB: Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta (63′ for Haarala) |
7.4/10 |
|
SUB: Viktor Bergh (80′ for Kosugi) |
6.2/10 |
Subs not used: Max Croon (GK), Alieu Atlee Manneh, Melvin Vucenovic Persson, Carl Selfven.
|
Player |
Rating |
|---|---|
|
GK: Filip Jorgensen |
8.2/10 |
|
RB: Josh Acheampong |
7.4/10 |
|
CB: Tosin Adarabioyo |
7.5/10 |
|
CB: Benoit Badiashile |
6.9/10 |
|
LB: Marc Cucurella |
6.6/10 |
|
CM: Enzo Fernandez |
8.4/10 |
|
CM: Reece James (c) |
7.1/10 |
|
CM: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall |
7.2/10 |
|
RW: Noni Madueke |
7.7/10 |
|
ST: Tyrique George |
6.6/10 |
|
LW: Jadon Sancho |
8.1/10 |
|
SUB: Trevoh Chalobah (46′ for Cucurella) |
6.9/10 |
|
SUB: Cole Palmer (46′ for Fernandez) |
6.9/10 |
|
SUB: Moises Caicedo (46′ for James) |
7.7/10 |
|
SUB: Nicolas Jackson (46′ for Madueke) |
8.8/10 |
|
SUB: Reggie Walsh (88′ for George) |
N/A |
Subs not used: Lucas Bergstrom (GK), Ted Curd (GK), Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Mathis Amougou, Pedro Neto, Shumaira Mheuka.
