The Blues booked their spot in the last four after easing past Legia Warsaw, while Djurgardens made it through with a dramatic extra-time win over Rapid Vienna.
This has already been a historic run for Djurgardens, who are playing in their first-ever European semi-final. After picking up 13 points in the league phase to finish fifth overall, they saw off Pafos in the last 16 with a 3-1 aggregate win.
In the quarter-finals, the Swedish side bounced back from a 1-0 home defeat to beat Rapid Vienna 2-1 in Austria, forcing extra time. That’s when Tobias Gulliksen stepped up, scoring twice to send Djurgardens into the last four – and keeping alive hopes of becoming the first Swedish club to win a European trophy since IFK Göteborg lifted the UEFA Cup in 1987.
They’ve remained steady on the domestic front too, drawing 0-0 with GAIS and edging past Öster 1-0 in their most recent league outing. Although they'll be clear underdogs against Chelsea, Djurgardens have won six of their eight home matches in Europe this season – and will believe they can cause an upset in front of their fans.
This is Chelsea’s first European semi-final since they lifted the Champions League in 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. After two quarter-final exits in the years since, they finally made it past the last eight again by comfortably beating Legia Warsaw 3-0 away. A 2-1 loss in the return leg at Stamford Bridge didn’t do enough to derail their progress.
For Enzo Maresca, the Conference League offers the best shot at silverware in his first season in charge. But with Chelsea also pushing hard for a top-five Premier League finish and a Champions League place next season, there's plenty still at stake. They’re currently in the top five on goal difference after a five-game unbeaten run in the league, including back-to-back wins over Fulham and Everton.
Late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto secured a 2-1 win over Fulham, and Nicolas Jackson’s strike saw them edge Everton 1-0 last weekend.
Before Sunday’s big clash with Liverpool, Chelsea will aim to keep their momentum going in Sweden. They’ve never lost in four previous European trips to the country (W2, D2), and have been ruthless away from home in this competition – winning all five of their away games so far, with 14 goals scored and just three conceded.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Djurgardens are likely to be without three key players for Thursday’s clash, with Malkolm Nilsson Safqvist, Rasmus Schüller, and Patric Åslund all sidelined through injury.
There are also concerns over Oskar Fallenius and Nino Žugelj, who have missed the last two games after being forced off in the second leg against Rapid Vienna. Their availability remains uncertain.
However, there is better news in goal, as Jacob Rinne is expected to return after illness kept him out of the recent league win over Öster.
Head coach Jani Honkavaara may also freshen up his starting XI, with Jacob Une Larsson, Hampus Finndell, and Tokmac Nguen all in line to return for the first leg.
As for Chelsea, they’ll be without Wesley Fofana, Omari Kellyman, and Marc Guiu, who are all injured. Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended following a past positive test for a banned substance and won’t be available either.
Malo Gusto is a doubt with a minor injury that kept him out of the Everton match, and he faces a late fitness test ahead of the trip to Sweden.
With Chelsea juggling their Premier League and Conference League campaigns, manager Enzo Maresca is expected to rotate his squad. That could open the door for starts for Filip Jorgensen, Josh Acheampong, and Benoît Badiashile. Reece James, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrique George are also pushing for places in the starting lineup.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Djurgardens IF possible starting lineup:
Rinne; Stahl, Une Larsson, Danielson, Kosugi; Stensson, Findell; Harala, Gulliksen, Nguen; Priske
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Acheampong, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Dewsbury-Hall; George, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson
EXPERT PREDICTION
Djurgardens 0-3 Chelsea
