Chelsea Eyes European Glory as Maresca Sees Turning Point Ahead
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is seeing more than just silverware in the Conference League—he sees a statement.
With a confident 4–1 lead from the first leg of their semi-final clash against Sweden’s Djurgarden, the Blues are closing in on a spot in the final, which will be played in Wroclaw, Poland, on May 28. They’ll face either Fiorentina or Real Betis if they make it through.
For Maresca, this isn’t just about a trophy—it’s about showing the football world that Chelsea is ready to rise again.
“This would show we’re back,” he said when asked about the significance of potentially winning UEFA’s third-tier competition. “Lifting a cup, no matter the level, is always a big deal. It can be the beginning of something special.”
He also acknowledged the club’s current reality, adding, “You don’t see teams like Real Madrid here because they’re on another level right now. But for us, this is where we are—and from here, we build.”
A Conference League title would mark a unique achievement for the club, making Chelsea the first team to have won all three of UEFA’s major club competitions—a feat that adds to the sense of purpose in their campaign.
Eyes on the Final, But Feet on the Ground
While the numbers heavily favor Chelsea—their squad value reportedly towers 44 times above Djurgarden’s—the team isn’t letting confidence slip into complacency.
Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen made it clear: “This is a semi-final, and we’re treating it with full seriousness. We’ve got 90 minutes left to earn our spot in the final, and we’re ready to give everything.”
The decisive second leg will be played at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 8, with kick-off at 8 p.m. The pressure’s on—but so is the promise of a new chapter.
