Enzo Maresca fears injuries from Djurgarden’s artificial pitch could derail Chelsea’s season

Enzo Maresca Concerns: How Djurgarden’s Artificial Pitch Could Affect Chelsea’s Season

Chelsea’s journey in the 2025 UEFA Conference League has already had its ups and downs, and the artificial surface at Djurgarden’s 3Arena has become a significant cause for concern. While the Blues are widely seen as favorites to lift the trophy, Maresca and his staff are worried about the toll the unusual pitch could take on Chelsea’s star players, especially with their top-tier finish in the Premier League still a key priority.

The game, which will be played on Thursday night, comes at a time when Chelsea is also preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against Liverpool just days later. The back-to-back challenges pose an even greater risk to key players, and Maresca’s focus is not only on the Conference League trophy but also on maintaining a strong Premier League finish to ensure Champions League qualification for next season.

“For sure, it can be a concern. I’m a little bit worried about that [injuries]. 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.” — Enzo Maresca

While the artificial pitch has been criticized by Djurgarden’s own players, including striker August Priske, who called it “s***ty,” and manager Jani Honkavaara, who branded it “horrible,” Maresca is focused on making sure his squad rises to the occasion. The manager is well aware of the risks but insists that the team has no excuse for not competing at the highest level.

Chelsea’s Europa League Challenge: The Risk of Injuries on Artificial Surfaces

Chelsea’s task in the Conference League semi-final is straightforward: win, and they advance to the final. However, the artificial pitch could be a game-changer. Players have reported difficulties adjusting to the low bounce of the ball and the harder surface, which could increase the risk of injuries—especially for players not accustomed to playing on such surfaces regularly.

Maresca shared his concerns following Chelsea’s training session on the pitch, where players were seen testing the ball’s bounce and adjusting their footing. Chelsea has a lot riding on this match, with players like Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling, and Kai Havertz essential to their attack and defensive stability. The last thing Maresca needs is for an injury to disrupt their momentum and their ultimate Champions League hopes.

Despite these worries, Maresca remains committed to not holding back his squad. Chelsea’s conference league ambitions are crucial, and with so much at stake in this knockout tie, there’s no option to rest players, no matter the risks.

“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. But there are no excuses, no reasons why we are not going to compete tomorrow and the second game at all.” — Enzo Maresca

The following table summarizes Chelsea’s performance in the 2025 UEFA Conference League and their current standing in the Premier League. The stats provide insight into their progress in the Conference League and their ongoing pursuit of a Champions League qualification via a top-five finish in the Premier League. This table highlights key metrics like goals scored, assists, and match results as they prepare for their Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden.