Enzo Maresca described the semi -final of Chelsea in the first legs on Djurgarden as “perfect”, but repeated that his players should remain focused in their attempt to reach the final of the Conference League.
The Maresca team came on Thursday with 4-1 winners in the 3arena in Stockholm, with goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson who sealed the victory.
Djurgarden came on the score sheet thanks to the 68th minute header from Isak Alemayehu.
Chelsea dominated a large part of the game and ended the game with an expected goals (XG) a total of 2.17, although their opponents registered more shots (16 to 12).
Maresca acknowledged that his players lost their focus in the final phase, and he wants to see them book their place in the final with the minimum of hassle, in which Chelsea lost to Legia Warzsawa at home in the second stage of their quarterfinals.
“It was the perfect night, an important semi -final and it is a good result. We have to concentrate on the second stage,” Maresca told TNT Sports.
“The first 70 minutes were good, but in the last 20 minutes we fell a little, but we can't fall, we can't relax because it is otherwise complicated.
“We did well, but now we have to finish the job at home.”
Board !! #CFC | #Uecl pic.twitter.com/gytsnpxcpv
– Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) May 1, 2025
The other priority of Chelsea confirms their place in the Champions League next season, with the blues fifth in the table.
A top five finish will seal a place in Europe Elite Competition next year, but Chelsea is confronted with four difficult games to complete their campaign.
They welcome new crowned Premier League champions Liverpool to Stamford Bridge, before they compete against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
The Chelsea boss made eight changes from the side that beat Everton 1-0 last week, and said that rotation within his team would be the key to finish the campaign as strong as possible.
“We try to manage players, we know that we have to protect players. We have decided to start a way and end up in a different way. I think it worked well,” Maresca added.
“But now we have a competition in two days, three days. We go back in London at 5 o'clock. We have a competition on Sunday, so we have to restore our energy.”