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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Semi-final showdown in Stockholm</li><li>Conditions under foot not ideal</li><li>Maresca faces big selection decisions</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Chelsea in 'sh*tty pitch' drama! Blues prepare for Conference League semi-final with Djurgarden under 'horrible' conditions

Premier League

Chelsea

Manchester United

Allsvenskan

Elfsborg

Djurgaarden

<p>The Blues are in Sweden for the first leg of a European last-four showdown. They will have to contend with opponents that are determined to spring a surprise, as well as an artificial playing surface that has come in for criticism.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Djurgarden, who lost the home leg of their quarter-final clash with Rapid Vienna, have slammed their own pitch, with the 3Arena in Stockholm offering them no advantage when domestic and continental rivals roll into town.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Striker August Priske has said, according to <em>The Sun</em>: “I don’t want to blame the pitch of course, but it’s a sh*tty pitch.” Djurgarden share their multi-use stadium with rivals Hammarby, while the likes of Harry Styles and The Rolling Stones have performed there.</p>

WHAT DJURGARDEN STAR SAID

<p>Djurgarden coach Jani Honkavaara has said of trying to ready his troops for a crunch clash that provides issues under foot: “Our training pitch is so different to the one at the stadium, it’s like night and day. The stadium pitches feel different from day to day.</p><p>“It’s really tough for both us and our opponents. We get nothing extra from it. The pitch is horrible. I have thought of letting us train more on the stadium pitch to get used to it.”</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sights set on Thursday night. 🎯 <a href="https://t.co/nn5ZLgpPgE">pic.twitter.com/nn5ZLgpPgE</a></p>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1917684599192445247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Chelsea have shuffled their pack on a regular basis in Conference League action this season, with Enzo Maresca now having to decide how strong he goes in a fixture that poses injury risks amid an ongoing bid to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League and Champions League qualification for 2025-26.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea in 'sh*tty pitch' drama! Blues prepare for Conference League semi-final with Djurgarden under 'horrible' conditions | Goal.com

Chelsea are facing “sh*tty pitch” drama ahead of their Conference League semi-final with Djurgardens, with both teams facing “horrible” conditions.

Chelsea in &apos;sh*tty pitch&apos; drama! Blues prepare for Conference League semi-final with Djurgarden under &apos;horrible&apos; conditions

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