Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed serious reservations about the artificial surface awaiting his side in Stockholm, warning that it could jeopardize both performance and player fitness as the Blues pursue Champions League qualification.Before hosting newly crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday—a match that could prove crucial to Chelsea’s top-five ambitions—Maresca’s team must first tackle Djurgarden in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final. The Swedish side plays on an artificial pitch at the 3Arena, a venue Maresca has studied closely in preparation.Matchday in Sweden — come on Chelsea! ✊🔵#CFC | #UECL pic.twitter.com/3h9FKYmv0M— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 1, 2025 After reviewing six of Djurgarden’s matches, the Italian coach noted that even the home side’s players have publicly criticized the quality of the synthetic turf—one reportedly using a vulgar term to describe it.When asked by Mail Sport about the challenge of playing on such a surface, Maresca didn’t downplay the impact.“It’s completely different. 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.”Enzo Maresca on playing Djurgarden today. pic.twitter.com/6hpwI6b71n— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) May 1, 2025 As for the risk of injury, Maresca was candid: “For sure, it can be a concern. I’m a little bit worried about that. 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.”UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE – SEMI-FINALSFirst legThursday22:00: (1.75) Betis (3.60) Fiorentina (4.90)22:00: (8.50) Djurgarden (4.90) Chelsea (1.37)***odds are subject to change***
